Windows 10 Support Extended yet Equity Gaps Remain
Back in February, I wrote about the looming end-of-support for Windows 10 and the huge risk this posed for schools, charities, and households already struggling with digital access. Without security updates, perfectly good devices would either need costly upgrades or be left vulnerable, widening the digital divide.
Now, Microsoft has announced it will extend security updates for Windows 10 through October 2026 under its Extended Security Updates (ESU) program (Microsoft details here). Consumer NZ has also published a helpful guide explaining how to get an extra year of protection, in some cases for free.
Why It’s Not a Silver Bullet
While any extension is welcome, this isn’t the equity win we need. Even with the cheapest option, there are still barriers:
Cost – Unless you follow the workaround steps or redeem Microsoft Rewards points, the ESU program is on consumers need to pay for. That’s still a hurdle for those already making trade-offs between paying for kai, housing, or connectivity.
Access requirements – You must have the latest Windows 10 (22H2) updates installed, a Microsoft account, and internet access to enrol — excluding some of the very people most at risk of falling offline. There are also technical steps to take that won’t be intuitive to everyone.
Short-term fix – This is a stopgap, not a long-term solution. In 2026, we’ll be back in the same place unless we rethink how software lifecycles intersect with affordability and access.
The Digital Equity Take
From a digital inclusion standpoint, this move buys time — nothing more. It prevents some devices from becoming instant e-waste and gives communities breathing room to plan. But it also reinforces why we need vendor accountability and public policy that ensures essential digital tools don’t become unaffordable or unsafe with no notice and at consumer cost.
We’ve seen the same problem with devices, connectivity, and now operating systems: market timelines don’t match community realities. If we want everyone to participate fully in the digital world, we need solutions that are built for people, not just profit cycles.
What You Can Do
Share Consumer NZ’s guide so those eligible can get extended support — it’s the best immediate protection we have.
Advocate for policy change — pressure both government and industry to address the cliff-edge nature of software support.
Think long-term — this is the moment to explore open-source or low-cost alternatives that keep people online without dependency on single vendors.
I dearly wish the news was better.
