In an update to its support documentation, Microsoft confirmed that Microsoft Edge and the Microsoft WebView2 Runtime will continue to receive updates on Windows 10 (version 22H2) “until at least October 2028.” That timeline stretches Edge’s maintenance window well past the October 14, 2025, end-of-support date for Windows 10 itself — and Microsoft says users don’t need to pay for the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program to keep getting those Edge updates.

When an operating system reaches end of support, it stops getting security fixes. That usually means browsers and web apps become a bigger liability: unpatched browsers can be exploited even on otherwise “healthy” machines. By promising continued updates for Edge and WebView2 until 2028, Microsoft is limiting that particular exposure for people who, for whatever reason, stick with Windows 10 after October 2025. It’s a pragmatic move: the web keeps changing, and letting the browser atrophy would be a fast way to make old machines dangerously fragile.

The timeline you need to know

• October 14, 2025: Microsoft’s official end-of-support date for Windows 10. After this date, Microsoft stops providing regular security and feature updates for the OS itself.
• Through at least October 2028: Microsoft Edge and the WebView2 runtime will still receive updates on Windows 10 version 22H2, regardless of whether a device is enrolled in Windows 10’s ESU program.

That phrase “at least” is important. Microsoft could extend things further, but for now, the company is giving users and admins a clear three-year runway for one of the most security-sensitive pieces of software on the PC: the browser.

What you can — and can’t — expect

Edge and WebView2 updates mean security patches, rendering fixes, and compatibility support for modern web standards and Progressive Web Apps (PWAs). But that doesn’t magically resurrect the OS underneath. Windows 10 will not receive new feature development, OS-level security maintenance, or broad driver & platform updates after October 14, 2025, unless your organization is using a paid ESU plan. In short, your browser will be alive and defended, but the rest of the system ages normally.

How Microsoft is handling the “free extra year” question

Microsoft also baked in a stopgap for consumers who need more time before a migration:

• Home users can enroll in the consumer ESU program — which Microsoft documents — through one of a few mechanisms: a one-time purchase (regional pricing applies), redeeming 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points, or by backing up your settings using the Windows Backup app (which requires signing into a Microsoft account). Microsoft’s support pages explain the enrollment flow and note that the ESU options provide extended security updates through October 13, 2026, for consumer devices. Consumer ESU enrollment also covers up to 10 devices under a single enrolled Microsoft account.

Microsoft’s messaging here is clear: it wants to make an extra year of protection possible for regular people without forcing them into a paid annual subscription — provided they’re willing to link a Microsoft account or redeem rewards points. That tradeoff has produced grumbles from privacy-minded users who prefer local accounts, but it’s a genuine, lower-friction escape hatch for many households.

Microsoft is explicit about Edge and WebView2. Other browser vendors—Google (Chrome) and Mozilla (Firefox)—have their own lifecycles and haven’t been tied to Microsoft’s support promises. At the time Microsoft published its guidance, major third-party browsers had not announced identical commitments for Windows 10 through 2028, so if you rely on Chrome or Firefox, it’s worth checking those vendors’ lifecycle pages directly for any Windows 10 guidance. The announcement emphasized that Microsoft’s move reduces a key security pressure point for Windows 10 users, even if it doesn’t solve every legacy-OS problem.

The pragmatic advice (what you should do)

1. If you can upgrade to Windows 11 and want ongoing OS support, do that. It’s the cleanest option for feature, driver, and security updates.
2. If you can’t upgrade but want safer browsing: Edge and WebView2 staying supported until 2028 is good news — but make sure you keep Edge updated and avoid running unnecessary, unpatched services.
3. If you need a little breathing room: enroll in the consumer ESU options (backup + Microsoft account, redeem 1,000 Rewards points, or pay the one-time charge) to get additional OS-level security updates through October 13, 2026. Use this time to migrate important data, test compatibility on new hardware, or plan phased upgrades.
4. For businesses: review enterprise ESU and lifecycle guidance — enterprises have different options and timelines, and device fleet management will matter.

Microsoft’s promise to keep Edge and WebView2 alive on Windows 10 until at least October 2028 softens a big practical risk of running an EOL operating system: the browser. It isn’t a full fix for the broader security implications of using an unsupported OS, but it’s a live-saving bandage for millions of users who, for hardware, software compatibility, or personal reasons, aren’t ready to move to Windows 11 just yet. If you plan to stay on Windows 10 past October 2025, treat this as welcome news — and not a reason to stop planning your upgrade.