Last updated: October 16, 2026. Microsoft changes support terms and enrollment options often, so confirm current details on Microsoft’s Windows 10 ESU support page and in Settings > Update & Security on your PC. This guide is informational and is not affiliated with Microsoft.
Windows 10 officially reached end of support on October 14, 2025, but many people kept using it, and Microsoft offered a paid-or-free Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for home users. That program was due to end on October 13, 2026, which is why many readers are searching for answers this week. The good news: according to reports from late June 2026, Microsoft quietly pushed the consumer ESU end date back by a year, to October 12, 2027. This guide explains what changed, who qualifies, how to enroll, and what ESU does not give you.
The Short Answer
- New consumer ESU end date: October 12, 2027. The previous end date was October 13, 2026.
- Still on Windows 10? If your PC runs version 22H2 and you enroll, you keep receiving security updates for another year.
- Cost: There are three options: sync your settings with Windows Backup (no extra charge), redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points, or pay $30 plus tax.
- Already enrolled? You are carried forward automatically with no action needed.
- What it is not: ESU delivers security fixes only. It does not add new features and it does not include regular technical support.
What Changed and How We Know
Microsoft did not publish a formal press announcement. The change appeared in updates to its Windows 10 ESU documentation and in an editor’s note on a Windows Experience Blog post dated June 25, 2026, and was reported by security and tech outlets the next day, including BleepingComputer and Help Net Security. Because the change was made quietly, check Microsoft’s own support page before you rely on a date for planning. If your situation involves business or school PCs, confirm with your IT department, since the commercial program is separate.
Who Qualifies for Consumer ESU
- The PC must run Windows 10 version 22H2 in Home, Pro, Pro Education or Workstations editions, with the latest Windows updates installed.
- You must sign in with an administrator Microsoft account. Child accounts are not eligible. If you use a local account, Windows will prompt you to switch to a Microsoft account to enroll.
- The device must be for personal use. Reports say the consumer program is not available for devices joined to Active Directory or Microsoft Entra, or managed through mobile device management (MDM). Entra-registered devices are eligible.
- One ESU license can cover up to 10 devices associated with the same Microsoft account.
How to Enroll: The Three Options
| Option | Cost | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| Windows Backup | No extra charge | Turn on Windows Backup to sync your PC settings to your Microsoft account. |
| Microsoft Rewards | 1,000 points | Redeem points toward the ESU license. |
| One-time purchase | $30 plus applicable tax | Buy a one-year license and apply it to your account. |
Reports also say that in the European Economic Area (EEA), signing in with a Microsoft account is enough to enroll free of charge. Availability and wording can vary by region and over time, so follow the prompts on your own PC.
Step-by-step
- Open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and install all available updates so you are on version 22H2.
- Look for the Enroll now link for Extended Security Updates in Windows Update. If it does not appear, install the latest cumulative update and check again.
- Sign in with your Microsoft account if prompted.
- Choose one of the enrollment options above.
- Restart if asked, then check Windows Update again to confirm you are receiving updates.
What ESU Covers and What It Does Not
ESU provides critical security updates only. Outside special long-term servicing editions, Windows 10 otherwise receives no feature updates, no new security improvements beyond what ESU supplies, and no technical support from Microsoft. Over time, more apps and games will stop supporting Windows 10, and hardware makers will focus their driver updates on Windows 11. Treat ESU as a bridge, not a permanent plan.
For businesses, ESU is a separate paid program that can run up to three years and costs, according to reports, a total of $427 per device across the three years. The commercial program’s last announced end date is October 10, 2028. If you run a small business on Windows 10 machines, ask your IT provider which program applies to you.
Should You Stay on Windows 10 or Move to Windows 11?
You now have roughly a year to decide. A reasonable approach is:
- Check eligibility. Open the PC Health Check app or Settings > Windows Update to see whether Microsoft says your PC can upgrade. Windows 11 generally requires a compatible 64-bit processor, 4 GB of RAM, 64 GB of storage, UEFI with Secure Boot, and a TPM 2.0 chip.
- If your PC qualifies, upgrade for free when you are ready, and back up your files first.
- If it does not qualify, enroll in ESU and plan a replacement, or consider alternatives such as a refurbished PC or a different operating system.
- Do not skip updates. Unpatched systems are a common target for malware and ransomware.
Security Habits That Matter on Any Version of Windows
- Turn on a password manager and use passkeys instead of passwords wherever sites offer them.
- Keep your browser and apps updated. Software outside Windows still gets its own security fixes.
- Be cautious with downloads. Our guide to watching YouTube videos offline legally explains why third-party downloader tools are a common source of malware.
- Learn how scams exploit urgency. Our report on AI voice cloning scams shows how attackers target families.
- If you also use an iPhone, keep it current as well; see what iOS 27.0.1 fixes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Windows 10 still getting security updates?
Yes, for PCs enrolled in the Extended Security Updates program. The consumer program now runs through October 12, 2027, according to reports of Microsoft’s documentation change.
Is Windows 10 ESU free?
It can be. Syncing settings with Windows Backup or redeeming 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points avoids a cash charge. Otherwise it costs $30 plus tax, and EEA users are reported to enroll free.
What happens after October 12, 2027?
Consumer ESU is scheduled to end. Microsoft has not announced a further consumer extension, so plan to move to Windows 11 or another supported system by then.
Can I use one ESU license on more than one PC?
Yes. One license can cover up to 10 devices on the same Microsoft account.
Do I need a Microsoft account?
Yes. Consumer enrollment requires signing in with an administrator Microsoft account.
Sources: BleepingComputer, “Microsoft quietly extends free Windows 10 ESU support to October 2027” (June 25, 2026); Help Net Security, “Microsoft gives Windows 10 users an unexpected extra year of free security updates” (June 26, 2026); Microsoft Windows 10 ESU documentation; industry commercial ESU timeline summaries (October 2026). Microsoft did not make a formal announcement of the extension, so verify on its support page.
Featured image: “Screen of laptop” by matreding, via Pexels (Pexels License).
