Windows announced end of protection after 14 october 2025. I am subscribed to Norton Security. I read in this community that Norton will not be able to extend full protection after this date as they depend on Microsoft support for Windows 10.
I am living in European Economic Area (EEA). According to Euroconsumers letter exchange with Microsoft (letter date 22 september 2025, published on Euroconsumers website, document Euroconsumers_vs_Microsoft_092025.pdf, part of text copied below) there will be a 1 year no-cost Extended Security Updates during 12 months after 14 October 2025 for users in EEA.
Question: will Norton Security (automatically) use this ESU on my devices in EEA? Do I need to change anything or can I trust protection will continue like before 14 October 2025?
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We are pleased to learn that Microsoft will provide a no-cost Extended Security Updates (ESU)
option for Windows 10 consumer users in the European Economic Area (EEA). We are also glad this option will not require users to back up settings, apps, or credentials, or use Microsoft
Rewards. This was our main Digital Markets Act (DMA) related concern, as linking access to
essential security updates to engagement with Microsoft’s own services raised reasonable doubt of compliance with obligations under Article 6(6) of the DM
@H.T.M.Clemens_H.T.M Care to share where you found this information with us? Microsoft is setting Windows 10 to end of life and further security support. The ESU you reference is Microsoft specific in that, the ESU will extend Microsoft support for security related updates for an additional year, nothing to do with or related with Norton supporting Windows 10.
Conversely, Norton has supported older operating systems long after they were no longer supported by Microsoft and still do. To date Norton has NOT officially stated their support for Windows 10 will end. I have multiple Windows 10 machines that are on the latest release of Norton, to date, I have zero interest in removal of Norton as their protection will continue regardless of and separate from Microsoft. Hope that clears things up a bit for you.
SA
To answer your question “Where you found this information with us?” →
In a a former thread (Topic: “Microsoft ceasing support for Window 10 in October” ) you wrote on 1 August 2025:
Windows 10 will indeed become a security risk in itself, much the same time as W10 ceases to get security updates as Microsoft has stated will happen. In the past as when Windows 7/8/Vista passed into history, Microsoft went back and patched serious issues when needed, with those older operating systems years after they died off. Windows10 will not be an exception to that rule. What won’t happen is, there will not be any regular releases of security updates for Windows 10 as they are now. Hackers WILL be looking for users on Windows 10 machines and target them. Microsoft offers the following for EOL users
Hence my question do I need to care and change my hardware (which do not meet requirements to install Windows 11) or can I safely continue use my hardware (desktop and laptop) with Norton Security protection?
First I do not work for Norton, not a Norton employee. Those were my PERSONAL thoughts about the continued use of Windows 10 after EOL and sharing with the community.
Regarding YOUR personal scenario my best answers are these:
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Continuing to use Windows 10 after EOL/EOS is a personal choice. Can you afford a new PC/Laptop? Then YES, purchase a new device. If you are as many of us are, financially constrained to a strict budget that may not be feasible. Upgrading hardware most times can be more expensive that purchasing new.
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Can you safely use Windows 10 after EOL with Norton protection? To a certain extent yes, will you be 100% safe? No. Even with Windows 11 and new hardware, no one is ever 100% safe because, antiviral vendors have zero control of surfing habits, sites visited, nor the sources where software may be downloaded. Norton will protect you as it will currently and still provide new features as long as Norton continues to support that OS.
How can you be pro-active and continue using Window 10? One suggestion is using the OPatch micro-patch services. I used them when Windows 7 went EOL and we had the dreaded waiting game where MS recanted with their hardware demands for Windows 10 upgrading.
SA
Dear SA, I very much appreciate sharing your personal thoughts. This is really good for me and maybe more people. Thanks!