Free calculator · by AlphaIT
Windows 10 ESU Cost Calculator: Pay, Upgrade or Replace?
Still running Windows 10? See what Extended Security Updates will cost your business in Canadian dollars, and compare it with upgrading or replacing those PCs.
How business ESU pricing works
Four Rules That Decide the Bill
Windows 10 support ended in October 2025. Extended Security Updates keep business PCs patched for up to three more years, at a price that climbs fast.
The price doubles every year
US$61 per PC for Year 1, US$122 for Year 2 and US$244 for Year 3. Microsoft publishes the Year 1 price and the doubling rule.
It’s cumulative
A PC joining ESU in Year 2 must also pay for Year 1. Joining now costs US$183 per PC to reach October 2027.
Upgrading is free if the PC qualifies
A PC that meets Windows 11’s requirements can upgrade at no licence cost. Paying ESU for it is money better spent elsewhere.
Windows 365 includes ESU
Windows 10 PCs used to connect to a Windows 365 Cloud PC get ESU at no extra cost while that licence is active.
Our advice
Treat ESU as a Bridge, Not a Plan
ESU makes sense for a PC that runs software you can’t move yet, or when replacing everything this year isn’t in the budget. For a PC that can run Windows 11, upgrading wins almost every time.
The consumer ESU option, free or US$30, can’t be used on business PCs that are domain joined, Entra joined or managed by Intune.
Frequently asked questions
Windows 10 ESU FAQs
What businesses ask about staying on Windows 10.
How much does Windows 10 ESU cost for a business?
Microsoft charges businesses US$61 per PC for Year 1, and the price doubles each year: US$122 for Year 2 and US$244 for Year 3. ESU is cumulative, so a PC joining in Year 2 pays US$183 to reach October 2027.
Is ESU priced in Canadian dollars?
Microsoft sets the price in US dollars. What you pay in Canada depends on the exchange rate and your reseller, which is why the calculator lets you set the rate.
Can a business use the free consumer ESU?
No. The consumer option, free or US$30, isn’t available for PCs that are domain joined, Entra joined or managed by Intune, which covers most business PCs.
How do I know if a PC can run Windows 11?
Run Microsoft’s PC Health Check app on it. The usual blockers are older processors and missing TPM 2.0. We can check all your PCs remotely in one go.
When does ESU end for good?
Business ESU runs for at most three years after Windows 10 support ended in October 2025, so to October 2028. After that there are no more security updates.
Should we pay ESU or replace the PCs?
If a PC can run Windows 11, upgrade it. If it can’t, compare a year or two of ESU with the cost of a new PC: ESU only buys time, while a new PC lasts several years.
Windows 11 upgrade plan
Let’s Get Your Office Off Windows 10
We check every PC, upgrade the ones that can, and replace the rest with your files and settings moved over, after hours if you need.
780-318-0149
Edmonton, AB · serving the Edmonton region