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Will Microsoft’s Amazing Grace Period for Edge Save Windows 10 from Becoming Obsolete?
Microsoft has made a commitment to support its Edge browser on Windows 10 until at least October 2028. This decision is part of a larger strategy to provide ongoing support for the operating system through its Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, which is available for both businesses and individual users. This is important news for anyone still using Windows 10.
The End of an Era for Windows 10
The official end-of-support date for Windows 10 is October 14, 2025. After this date, Microsoft will no longer provide free security updates, non-security updates, or assisted support for most users. However, there are a few ways to extend this support for a while longer.
- You can pay for Extended Security Updates. For consumers, the first year is expected to cost around $61.
- For a limited time, some users might find ways to get this first year of ESU for free, but these offers are not guaranteed to last.
It is unlikely that Microsoft will offer these extensions to general consumers beyond 2026. This means that if you continue to use Windows 10 without these paid updates, your computer could become more vulnerable to security risks like viruses and malware. A key part of staying safe online is using a web browser that is actively receiving security updates.
Edge and WebView2 Receive a Lifeline
Microsoft quietly updated its official documentation to confirm that both Microsoft Edge and the underlying WebView2 Runtime will continue to be updated on Windows 10 until October 2028. This is a significant extension, lasting three years beyond the official end-of-life for the operating system itself.
What does this mean for you?
Continued Security
You can continue to browse the web safely using Microsoft Edge on your Windows 10 computer, even after the main support for the OS ends.
PWA Support
Progressive Web Apps (PWAs), which are websites that can be installed on your computer like regular apps, will also continue to work. Many popular services like Uber and even parts of Microsoft’s own Copilot and Microsoft 365 apps rely on WebView2 to function.
No ESU Required
You do not need to be enrolled in the paid ESU program to receive these browser and WebView2 updates. They will be available to all Windows 10 users.
This move ensures that critical applications and services that depend on Microsoft’s web technologies will remain functional and secure for a longer period. It is not necessarily a favor to users, but a necessity to ensure its own products, like the Microsoft 365 Copilot app (which is essentially a sophisticated PWA), continue to work correctly.
What About Other Browsers and Special Editions?
It is very likely that other major browser developers will follow Microsoft’s lead. Google is already preparing for the end of Windows 10 support for its Chrome browser. The company has been observed testing features that identify how many users are running Chrome on PCs that do not meet the hardware requirements for Windows 11. If a large number of people continue to use Chrome on Windows 10, Google will have a strong incentive to continue providing security updates for several more years.
For users of special versions of Windows 10, such as the Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC), the situation is slightly different.
- Windows 10 LTSC 2021: This version has support until January 12, 2027.
- Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021: This version has a very long lifecycle, with support extending all the way to 2032.
However, browser support is not directly tied to the operating system’s support lifecycle. The decision to continue updating a browser on an older OS is up to the individual company, like Google for Chrome or Mozilla for Firefox. The extension of Edge support until 2028 covers the support window for most LTSC users, ensuring they also have a secure browsing option.