Microsoft stops supporting Windows 10 in just over 100 days on Oct.14, 2025. But on June 25, the company introduced the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, which will mean users will supported for an extra year, for free.
Windows 10 and Windows 11
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This is a big change: until a few days ago, to gain an extra year, you needed to pay the company $30. Now, there鈥檚 a free option, but there are things you need to do.
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Essentially, you need to link your Microsoft account and sync Settings to the cloud. First, as Microsoft explains, you need to sign in to Windows on a device running Windows 10, version 22H2 Home, Professional, Pro Education, or Workstation edition with the latest update installed.
To enroll your device in ESU, go to Settings, then Update & Security, then Windows Update. Assuming you meet the requirements, you should see a link to enroll. If you choose not to sync your PC settings, the $30 fee still applies.
Windows Latest, ahead of the game as usual, has already done all this as part of the Insider Program, so has seen it in action.
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鈥淚n our tests, it just takes a few seconds to extend support. You鈥檒l see the 鈥楨nroll now鈥 button on the right side of the Windows Update. On some installations, it also appears below the Check for updates button. I assume Microsoft is A/B testing the toggle, but once you click the 鈥淓nroll now鈥 button, it opens a pop-up window titled 鈥淓nroll in Extended Security Updates.鈥 The pop-up says it鈥檒l help you extend security updates support beyond October 14, 2025, when Windows 10 support ends,鈥 Mayank Parmar explains.
The wizard will check whether your PC meets the requirements which are not, of course, the same as those needed to upgrade to Windows 11.
When it鈥檚 all done, a success screen appears. 鈥淵ou鈥檙e enrolled in Extended Security Updates through Oct. 13, 2026,鈥漣t says.
If you鈥檙e really not interested in moving on from Windows 10, and that鈥檚 the case for hundreds of millions of users, this is a simple way to keep your PC secure until late 2026 for free.
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