Microsoft has recently announced the end of support for Windows 10 in October 2025. However, in a surprising move, the company has decided to reopen its beta program for Windows 10 to test new features and improvements. This decision marks a shift in Microsoft’s strategy towards its older operating system.
The Windows Insider team at Microsoft made the announcement in a blog post, stating that the Beta Channel is now open for Windows Insiders who are currently on Windows 10. This move is aimed at bringing new features and improvements to Windows 10 as needed, providing users with a place for active feature development.
While Microsoft has not disclosed specific details about the features that will be tested next on Windows 10, Windows Insiders can opt into the beta channel to access them early. Despite this, the end of support date for Windows 10 remains unchanged, set for October 14th, 2025. It is important to note that joining the Beta Channel does not alter this deadline.
Consumers using Windows 10 will have the option to purchase paid security updates once the operating system reaches its end of support in 2025. Microsoft has revealed that businesses will need to pay $61 per device for a year of security updates, with the price increasing in subsequent years. Consumer pricing for security updates will be disclosed at a later date.
Despite the reopening of the beta program for Windows 10, Microsoft continues to encourage users to upgrade to Windows 11. However, many PCs are unable to upgrade to Windows 11 due to its strict hardware requirements, including CPUs released from 2018 onward and devices with TPM security chips. As a result, Windows 11 adoption has been slower compared to Windows 10.
According to StatCounter, Windows 11 holds nearly 28 percent of the market share for Windows versions as of May 2024, while Windows 10 still dominates at 68 percent. This data reflects the challenges faced by Microsoft in convincing users to transition to Windows 11, especially in light of the hardware restrictions imposed by the new operating system.
Microsoft’s decision to reopen the beta program for Windows 10 signifies a renewed focus on delivering new features and improvements to users. While the push for Windows 11 adoption continues, the challenges posed by hardware requirements highlight the complexities of transitioning to a newer operating system. As the technology landscape evolves, Microsoft faces the ongoing task of balancing innovation with user accessibility and support.
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