Forscope

The October 2025 End-of-Support Business Dilemma: Upgrade, ESU, or alternative options?

Just two weeks left until yet another one of Microsoft’s end-of-support (EOS) milestones, and with that comes the usual scramble: what to do with devices still running Windows 10, pre-2020s Office builds, and on-prem Exchange? Security, licensing compliance, new software compatibility and service availability cannot be neglected just because your upgrade plan is coming together at a slower pace than expected. If your organization keeps running any given software after EOS, you need a mitigation path to ensure potential vulnerabilities remain addressed – either from Microsoft or a third-party patching solution.

What’s actually affected?

The list of products is quite significant and affects a huge number of users, both businesses and consumers – the most popular of them being:

Note: A full list of products reaching End of Support this year can be found here.

Each of the 3 product lines mentioned above carries a different resolution in the current situation – let’s break them down.

Longer support with Extended Security Updates (ESU)

What exactly is ESU?

Extended Security Updates (ESU) is a paid service by Microsoft which provides the option to prolong the use and lifecycle of certain software products past the end of their support date. ESU is not designed to be a permanent solution but a short-term bridge meant to give users a little more time to upgrade to a supported software product.

Windows 10

▶ Whats is Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC?

Microsoft’s Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC (Long-Term Servicing Channel) is a standalone operating system similar in most of its functionality and hardware requirements to mainstream Windows 10 editions but characterized by some limitations in features and feature updates. These limitations however are the reason for its higher stability and security, and longer support period. The distribution channel that it comes from (LTSC) is focused on providing durable and secure software to facilities with critical infrastructure (e.g. hospitals, airports etc). Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2019 specifically can deliver up to four more years of supported operation without the need to spend funds on ESU or any other subscription – the only purchase is of the perpetual license itself.

Exchange Server 2016/2019

Office 2016/2019

There is no ESU for Office products! This is where external solutions like 0patch can save the day.

Third-party help: the 0patch path

If Microsoft’s ESU doesn’t fit your size, budget, or software mix, 0patch is a reliable, occasionally even more advanced substitute:

Forscope is an official 0patch Reseller. Contact us for the best pricing options!

How does 0patch compare to Microsoft’s ESU and LTSC programs price-wise?

Let’s compare three specific products from each category to gain a clearer understanding by evaluating them in a simple scenario involving 50 users over a three-year period.

Windows 10 ESU vs Windows 10 LTSC vs 0patch Enterprise (50 users)

Solution

Total Cost (3 years)

Savings compared to ESU

% Savings

Windows 10 ESU 3 years

22 800.00 €

–

–

0patch Enterprise

1 747.50 €

17 557.50 €

77%

Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2019

1 100.00 €

21 700.00 €

95%

The outcome is fairly straightforward: justifying the choice of ESU to your CFO may prove difficult. However, in reality, the situation is usually more complex than the example presented. Organizations often have a mix of power users and general users, each with significantly different software and security needs. Additionally, the types and ages of devices, systems, and networks can vary considerably. A one-size-fits-all approach is seldom the most effective strategy.

Main takeaways and recommendations

How to summarize the situation for your busy IT department?

  1. Prolong and stabilize your operating system setup with Windows LTSC – continue using Windows 10 while simultaneously reducing update fatigue and UI clutter, and tightening security. Mind the lack of certain components (Copilot, Widgets, Microsoft Store etc) and the potential for incompatibility with newer software and hardware.

  2. Harden Windows 10 post-EOS with ESU, or 0patch if ESU isn’t financially feasible for your organization.

  3. Extend security for Office 2016/2019 with 0patch and save on unnecessary spending on newer Office versions with unneeded features, or expensive Microsoft 365 subscriptions.

  4. Don’t overstretch your migration deadline from on-prem Exchange to SE – plan your move to the subscription-based edition for on-premise server environments (Exchange Subscription Edition), or consider moving to Microsoft cloud infrastructure (Exchange Online). Make sure it is based on an explicit timeline with coexistence and rollback defined.

  5. Inventory and segment:

The bottom line

October’s 2025 EOS isn’t a headline to ignore. Unpatched endpoints become everyone’s problem – first yours, then your auditors’, and eventually your customers’. Whether you buy ESU, deploy 0patch, or purchase still supported Windows 10 LTSC editions, the critical move is to act now: bridge the gap between supported and legacy software in your environments and prepare your migration path. Don’t wait for an incident to occur!

How to take the next step? Let us help you!

If you require assistance sizing ESU vs. 0patch, mapping LTSC candidates, or retiring an Exchange Server infrastructure, reach out to us. Our experts will analyze your current infrastructure, segment it by devices and license types, and tailor licensing and transition plans suited to your environment and budget.