Microsoft offers pricey Windows 7 Extended Support Updates (ESUs)

Posted on Thursday, February 07 2019 @ 12:27 CET by Thomas De Maesschalck
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As you may know, extended support for Microsoft's Windows 7 operating system will expire in January 2020. All systems still running Windows 7 beyond that date, and there are still a lot of Windows 7 systems, will no longer receive any security updates from Microsoft. Businesses wishing to stay secure beyond that date will have the option to purchase Extended Support Updates (ESUs) to buy more time to upgrade.

As expected, this option isn't cheap, and the price will double every year until the program expires in January 2023:
For Windows 7 Enterprise and Microsoft 365 customers, Microsoft will provide Windows 7 ESUs as an "add-on," according to information Microsoft seemingly shared with partners and its field sales people. Year one (January 2020 to 2021), that add-on will cost $25 per device for that set of users. Year two (January 2021 to 2022) that price goes up to $50 per device. And Year three (January 2022 to January 2023) it goes up to $100 per device. To qualify for this pricing tier, customers can be running Pro as long as they are considered "active customers" of Windows Enterprise in volume licensing.

For users who decide to stick with Windows 7 Pro rather than Windows 7 Enterprise, those ESU prices are significantly higher. Year one, Windows 7 ESUs will cost those Windows 7 Pro customers $50 per device; Year 2, $100 per device; and Year 3, $200 per device, according to information Microsoft seemingly shared with its partners and field sales people.
Large clients may be able to negotiate discounts based on volume.


About the Author

Thomas De Maesschalck

Thomas has been messing with computer since early childhood and firmly believes the Internet is the best thing since sliced bread. Enjoys playing with new tech, is fascinated by science, and passionate about financial markets. When not behind a computer, he can be found with running shoes on or lifting heavy weights in the weight room.



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