It’s no secret that Microsoft is ending official assist for Home windows 10 in October. The tech large has been chomping on the bit to get customers to improve to Home windows 11, and even permits Home windows 10 customers to improve to Home windows 11 without spending a dime.
Nevertheless, some people actually wish to keep on Home windows 10, be it for improve compatibility causes or simply to keep away from the more and more AI-forward Home windows 11. They might even be caught working a laptop computer that does not meet the system necessities for Home windows 11.
If you happen to fall into that group, you’ve two methods to get one other yr’s value of updates for Home windows 10 without spending a dime through Microsoft’s Prolonged Safety Updates (ESU) program. This may grant assured safety updates till October 2026, providing you with one other yr to both improve to Home windows 11 or purchase your self a brand new PC.
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Microsoft initially deliberate to cost customers $30 to enroll on this program, however backtracked on that concept after person backlash. So, benefit from the supply whilst you can.
However remember: If you wish to keep on Home windows 10 without spending a dime, it’s a must to take motion earlier than Oct. 14.
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The best way to discover Microsoft’s Prolonged Safety Updates
Chances are you’ll get a notification from Microsoft to enroll. If you happen to don’t, right here’s the way to discover the supply in your settings menu.
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Open your Settings.
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Navigate to Updates & Safety after which Home windows Replace.
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There, it’s best to see a header stating that Home windows 10 assist is ending on October 14, 2025.
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Beneath it’s a hyperlink to “enroll now” within the ESU program.
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A field ought to pop up with additional directions.
If the power to enroll just isn’t out there, ensure that your PC is totally updated, reboot, after which strive once more. Microsoft launched this function in August 2025, so it’s pretty new to the menu, and other people with out the newest updates might not see it.
The best way to get Home windows 10 safety updates without spending a dime
When you entry the ESU inside Home windows 10, you need to be offered with three choices to “pay” for the following yr of updates.
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Money in 1,000 Microsoft Reward factors – That is the best possibility. You may be taught extra about the way to accumulate factors on the Microsoft web site.
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Sync your Home windows Backup with OneDrive – Per our sister website PCMag, you’ll be able to improve without spending a dime by syncing your Home windows Backup with Microsoft OneDrive, although you’ll most likely have to buy extra cloud cupboard space.
Microsoft additionally permits customers to pay $30 for the prolonged Home windows 10 updates, as initially deliberate. So, if you wish to hold this straightforward, simply pay $30 and also you’re set for one more yr.
When you entry the ESU, you’ll be capable of select the one which works for you. Since you continue to have a month, trying to build up the Microsoft Rewards factors is arguably the best choice.
How lengthy do the prolonged safety updates final?
Precisely one yr. Microsoft says that the updates will proceed by October 13, 2026, after which Home windows 10 customers are totally on their very own. There are some extra guidelines to contemplate as properly. The ESU updates will probably be solely safety updates, and due to this fact is not going to comprise any new options or what Microsoft refers to as “customer-requested non-security updates.” Technical assist may also be unavailable apart from license activation and set up.
So, briefly, you’ll get the safety updates and fairly actually nothing else except you improve to Home windows 11, however at the very least you’ll have one other yr to make that alternative.
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