Microsoft Ends Free Windows 10 Security Updates for Rural Hospitals

Microsoft's one-year offer of free Windows 10 Extended Security Updates for U.S. rural hospitals expired Oct. 13, ending a benefit that covered up to 250 devices per eligible hospital running Windows 10 version 22H2. The program, part of Microsoft's Rural Health Resiliency Program, was designed to give rural hospitals extra time to migrate to Windows 11 after Microsoft's standard Windows 10 support ended in October 2025. More than 780 rural hospitals had been participating as of December 2025. Hospitals that have not upgraded can purchase up to two additional years of Extended Security Updates at commercial rates, with discounts available for nonprofit-eligible facilities, but devices without an extension or upgrade will stop receiving security patches.