We reported earlier that Microsoft will offer extended support plans to businesses who cannot upgrade all of their machines to Windows 10. The Windows maker had shared quite an expensive support plan that offers security updates to Windows 7 devices after the January 2020 end of support deadline on a per-device basis. The payment plan ranges between $25 to $50 per device per year, doubling with each passing year. Microsoft will offer this extended support to Windows 7 devices for an additional 3 years, ending it in January 2023. Windows 7 Professional, Windows 7 Enterprise, and Windows 7 Ultimate can avail this extended support plan.
The company has now revealed that businesses can purchase Extended Security Updates (ESU) starting from April 1, 2019.
"Security remains our biggest priority, and Windows 10 provides the most secure experience," Bernardo Caldas, General Manager of Microsoft 365, wrote.
For those of you who aren’t able to migrate all of your apps and devices to Windows 10 by the January 14, 2020, end of support date and need additional time to make the transition, we’ve got you covered with new options:
- As we announced in September 2018, we will provide Extended Security Updates for Windows 7.
- Microsoft Windows Virtual Desktop (coming soon) will provide a Windows 7 device with free Extended Security Updates through January 2023, giving you more options to support legacy apps as you transition to Windows 10.
- As a final resource those of you with legacy Windows 7 devices, Extended Security Updates will be available for purchase starting April 1, 2019. They will be sold on a per-device basis for eligible customers and the price will increase each year.
In FAQs, Microsoft writes that "there is no ESU offer for Office 2010," however, "Office 365 ProPlus will be supported on devices with active Windows 7 ESU through January 2023."
Even if you buy Windows 7 ESUs at a later date, you will have to pay for all the preceding years anyway
Microsoft said that the organizations can purchase the extended support for three years, until January 2023. "If an organization waits and purchases ESU for the first time, they will have to pay for preceding years as well since all security updates are cumulative starting January 2020," the company wrote.
The Windows maker also clarified that buying Windows 7 ESU doesn't mean that organizations will receive Help Desk support or any regular bug fixes and patches, as updates will only bring patches for bugs rated "critical" and "important."
More details are available in this document (PDF)
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News Source: CW
