Microsoft’s offer of free Windows 10 Extended Security Updates for U.S. rural hospitals expires Oct. 13, ending a one-year benefit designed to give hospitals more time to transition away from the operating system.
The offer provides rural hospitals with free Extended Security Updates for up to 250 devices per hospital running Windows 10 version 22H2. The updates extend security support for Windows 10 devices after Microsoft’s standard support for the operating system ended in October 2025.
All U.S. rural hospitals are eligible for the offer, including independent critical access hospitals and rural emergency hospitals. For health systems with both rural and urban facilities, the benefit applies only to qualifying rural hospitals, with each eligible location able to receive up to 250 licenses, according to a Microsoft FAQ hosted by the American Hospital Association.
Windows 10 devices that are not covered by a paid extension or upgraded to Windows 11 will no longer receive security updates. Hospitals that continue using Windows 10 after the free year can purchase Extended Security Updates for up to two additional years at Microsoft’s regular commercial price. Hospitals eligible for Microsoft’s nonprofit pricing can receive a discount. Microsoft’s FAQ recommends that hospitals have a plan to transition to Windows 11 during the free year.
The benefit is offered through Microsoft’s Rural Health Resiliency Program, which provides cybersecurity and technology resources to rural hospitals. Participating hospitals have access to benefits including cybersecurity assessments, staff training and other security resources.
More than 780 rural hospitals were working with Microsoft through the program as of December 2025, according to a National Rural Health Association blog post.
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