windows defender update on win 10 after 2025.10.25

Question

After the support ends for Windows 10 on October 25 2025, will Windows Defender get any updates if we don't pay the ESU? and for how long?

Answer 1

Hello Máté Baráth,

Microsoft says it will keep shipping Microsoft Defender Antivirus “Security Intelligence” (malware-definition) updates on Windows 10 through at least October 2028 - about three years after the operating-system end-of-support date (which is 14 Oct 2025). So I think you don't need to pay the ESU soon.

Furthermore, there is no official commitment to keep Defender definitions coming after expired date, and past practice (e.g., Windows 7 definitions stopped the year Microsoft’s three-year grace period ended) suggests they may end then. If you plan to stay on Windows 10 beyond 2028, assume Defender updates could cease and budget for either a third-party AV or a newer OS.

I hope this helps.

Best regards,

Finn