Microsoft Urges Windows 10 LTSC Users to Upgrade Before 2027

Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 support ends on January 12, 2027, leaving organizations with only a few months to plan upgrades or purchase extended security coverage.

Microsoft has warned businesses to prepare for the end of support before the deadline arrives. Standard Windows 10 support ended in October 2025, but the LTSC edition continued receiving updates under its longer lifecycle.

Devices will continue to operate after January 12. However, Microsoft will stop providing security patches, bug fixes, non-security updates, and technical assistance.

Unsupported devices will face growing security risks

Computers running Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 will become more vulnerable to newly discovered threats once Microsoft stops releasing security updates.

The lack of official support could also create compliance problems, particularly for organizations that use the operating system for important business processes or handle sensitive information.

Businesses that rely on specialized software or equipment may face the most difficult transition. These systems often require longer testing periods before IT teams can approve a new operating system.

Microsoft recommends moving to Windows 11 LTSC

Microsoft recommends Windows 11 Enterprise LTSC 2024 as the main replacement for Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021.

Organizations should start by checking application compatibility, hardware requirements, security policies, and deployment processes. A complete enterprise migration may involve pilot programs, phased rollouts, staff training, and months of testing.

Older devices that do not meet Windows 11 requirements may also need to be replaced. Hardware limitations could increase costs and delay migration projects, especially across large device fleets.

Extended Security Updates will cost $61 per device

Organizations that cannot complete their migration before January 2027 will have the option to purchase Extended Security Updates.

ESU licenses will become available through Volume Licensing on September 1, 2026. The first year will cost $61 per device.

Customers using cloud-based management tools such as Microsoft Intune or Windows Autopatch can receive an estimated 25% discount. That would reduce the first-year cost to approximately $45 per device.

Organizations can purchase ESU coverage for up to three years. The program will continue providing security updates until January 8, 2030, but it will not include new features or general technical support.

Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC has a later deadline

Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021 follows a different lifecycle and will remain supported until January 2032.

IT administrators should confirm which Windows edition each device uses before planning upgrades or buying ESU licenses. Systems running the IoT edition do not face the January 2027 deadline.

Microsoft continues to push businesses toward newer Windows versions as older releases reach the end of support. Some analysts believe a growing PC market could strengthen Microsoft’s Windows monopoly.

The company has also explained why the Windows 11 interface modernization remains slow and published new guidance for containing autonomous AI agents.