If you’re still running Windows 10, there’s something you need to know about changes to how it’s supported. Back in October 2025, Microsoft stopped supporting Windows 10, but they allowed you to enrol in their free security update program for a year. That was supposed to end next month, October 2026, but it’s now been quietly extended for a further year. Now this affects you – whether you already signed up last year, or if you haven’t got round to doing anything about it yet. Let’s look into it.
What is ESU?
First, what exactly is Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates program?
When Windows 10 reached its end of life last year, Microsoft stopped releasing: new features for Windows 10, bug fixes, and security updates. Their message was clear – if you want them to keep your computer up-to-date, they want you to be on Windows 11.
But, not all computers were capable of installing Windows 11, not everyone was ready for a big upgrade, and not everyone wanted to go out and replace their perfectly good Windows 10 machine. So, Microsoft announced an Extended Security Updates program, or ESU. The deal was, if you enrol in the ESU, you get security updates – but only those classed as Critical or Important. It was originally framed as strictly a one-year thing.
The ESU is free, but only personal consumers can sign up to it. (If you’re using Windows 10 in a business setting, there is a business ESU you can pay to join instead.) You need to be signed into your computer with a Microsoft account, and you have to agree to sync your computer’s settings by turning on Windows Backup. If you don’t agree to syncing your settings, then you have to make a one-time purchase of 30 US dollars, or the equivalent in your local currency, or you can pay with one thousand Microsoft Rewards points if you have them. And users in the European Economic Area don’t have to agree to turn on Windows Backup.
The new deadline
So, back to the actual news. Microsoft has extended its consumer ESU coverage for another 12 months. It was meant to end in October 2026, but it’s now running until October 12, 2027.
And what do you need to do about it?
If you already enrolled in the last year, nothing. Your coverage will automatically continue until October 2027. You don’t need to re-enroll or take any further action.
If you haven’t enrolled yet, good news. You haven’t missed the window. You can still enrol any time between now and October 12 2027. I recommend you do it right away, since you’re missing out on some important security updates.
How to enroll
Enrolling is quick and easy, but before you sign up you just need to take a few steps to make sure your computer’s ready. First you need to check it doesn’t have any pending updates. Go into Settings, and click on Update and Security. If there are any updates waiting to install, let them finish downloading, then restart your computer.
Next you just need to check you’re on the latest possible version of Windows 10. Click in the Search box or the Start Button, and type ‘winver’. It will say ‘winver – run command’; click on this. And look for the version, which should be 22H2. If it’s anything other than this, you still have some updates to catch up on.
Then you need to sign in to your Microsoft Account if you aren’t already. Go into Settings, and if it says ‘Sign In’ underneath your name, click on this and sign in with your personal account. If you’ve never had a Microsoft Account you can create one here.
Once you’re signed in, go back to the main settings screen and click on Accounts. You’ll see your email address if you’re signed in, and under that it should say Administrator. If it doesn’t, you need to speak to the person who owns the computer because only an Administrator can enrol in the ESU program.
With those steps done, you can enrol. Go into Settings, and click on Update and Security. You should now have the option to Enrol in Extended Security Updates. Click on ‘Enrol Now’, and on this screen click Next. You should see this confirmation that you’re eligible for free updates, with the expiry date of October 12 2027. Click Enrol. And now this computer is enrolled.
If you have any other Windows 10 computers, you’ll have to repeat these steps on each of them. Your enrolment licence belongs to your Microsoft Account and covers up to 10 computers. When you click ‘Enrol Now’ on each computer you’ll get confirmation that it’s been added as an enrolled device.
Stay signed in
One thing to be aware of, if you’re in the European Economic Area, the terms say you have to stay signed in with your Microsoft Account. If you don’t stay signed in, the ESU updates on your device may stop after up to 60 days. That’s not too big a deal though, you just have to sign up to the ESU for free again.
This isn’t permanent
Just to be clear, all this is only buying you extra time. The ESU only covers critical and important security fixes, nothing else. The deadline has moved to October 2027, but it is still a deadline. If your PC is capable of the upgrade to Windows 11, or if you’re planning to replace it, use this extra time to actually plan that move, not to postpone it forever.
You’re covered
So, if you enrolled last year, you can relax. You’re automatically covered until October 12 2027. And if you haven’t enrolled yet, you’ve still got time, and now you know how to do it.