Windows 10’s pay-to-stay plan meets yet another Windows Recall delay

Microsoft has kept Windows 10 fans on their toes and insiders on a waiting list with two recent developments, both involving what many might see as pay-to-stay strategies and prolonged wait times. For those still clinging to Windows 10, Microsoft’s decision is simple — either jump to Windows 11 or shell out $30 for another year of security updates. Meanwhile, Windows Recall, the much-anticipated data recovery feature designed for Copilot+ PCs, is facing yet another delay in its public preview rollout.

Windows 10, originally launched in 2015, has a hard deadline for support on October 14, 2025. After this date, Microsoft will cease releasing critical security patches and updates for the OS. Businesses are already familiar with the Extended Security Update (ESU) program, which allowed Windows 7 users to pay for extra years of security updates. Now, for the first time, Microsoft is offering regular consumers the same lifeline: for $30, they’ll get an additional year of peace of mind on Windows 10, buying them time to consider whether or not Windows 11 is right for them.

But the deal comes with some catches. The $30 security package is a one-time deal; it won’t be renewable for another year. This means users clinging to their Windows 10 OS — which commands 60.97% of the Windows OS market share — are essentially just deferring the inevitable. With Windows 11 capturing 35.55% of the market share and slowly gaining traction, Microsoft seems ready to gently — but insistently — nudge users towards making the upgrade. For enterprises, the stakes and costs are even higher, with the ESU program’s price doubling annually, reflecting Microsoft’s insistence on a steady shift towards newer systems.

While Windows 10 users weigh their options, another group — Copilot+ PC enthusiasts — has been left hanging. Windows Recall, the promising data recovery feature announced alongside Copilot+, is delayed once again. Initially expected in June, then postponed to October, the first public preview of Recall is now scheduled for December, but with a cloud of uncertainty surrounding the exact release timeline. According to Microsoft, this feature is worth the wait, as the company is taking extra time to bolster its security before release.

We are committed to delivering a secure and trusted experience with Recall. To ensure we deliver on these important updates, we’re taking additional time to refine the experience before previewing it with Windows Insiders. Originally planned for October, Recall will now be available for preview with Windows Insiders on Copilot Plus PCs by December.

Windows Recall promises a way to store and recall data securely, with Windows Hello authentication as an added layer of protection. This sounds like a huge win for privacy, especially as it allows users to filter sensitive information, such as passwords and personal IDs, from being stored. However, Microsoft’s handling of the rollout has left many puzzled, particularly as they waited until the last day of October to confirm this latest delay. Cybersecurity experts are standing by to test Recall’s security as soon as it lands, and perhaps that pressure has nudged Microsoft to keep it under wraps a little longer.

Whether you’re a longtime Windows 10 loyalist eyeing that $30 subscription or a Windows Recall hopeful, Microsoft’s recent moves show it’s sticking to its guns on pushing forward while trying to give everyone a choice — at least for now. With 2025 drawing closer, the clock is ticking for Windows users, and Microsoft’s next steps may well be its most crucial yet.