Windows 10 Security Updates Now Run Until October 2027: How to Stay Covered
Microsoft quietly extended consumer security updates for Windows 10 by a year. Here is who qualifies, the free way to enroll, and what to do if your PC is not eligible.
If you still use a Windows 10 PC, you have more time than you probably think. Microsoft has extended its consumer Extended Security Updates program, known as ESU, so enrolled Windows 10 computers keep getting security fixes until 12 October 2027. The original end date was 13 October 2026, which has just passed.
There was no big announcement. The new date appeared in Microsoft's ESU documentation and in an editor's note on a Windows blog post, which is why many people missed it.
What changed
Mainstream support for Windows 10 already ended. Without ESU, a Windows 10 PC receives no further security patches, which means newly found weaknesses stay open for attackers to use.
ESU is Microsoft's bridge. It delivers critical and important security updates for a limited time while people plan their move to a supported system. With the extension, that bridge now lasts until 12 October 2027, and you can enroll at any point before then.
If your PC was already enrolled, you do not need to do anything. Coverage continues automatically.
The three ways to enroll
Microsoft offers three options, and one of them costs nothing:
| Option | Cost | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| Windows Backup | Free | Turn on Windows Backup so your PC settings sync to your Microsoft account |
| Microsoft Rewards | 1,000 points | Redeem points you have already earned |
| One time purchase | 30 US dollars plus tax | Pay once, in your local currency equivalent |
One license can cover up to 10 devices, so a household with several old laptops does not need to pay per machine.
Check that your PC qualifies
Not every Windows 10 computer is eligible. According to Microsoft, your PC needs to:
- Run Windows 10 version 22H2 in the Home, Pro, Pro Education or Workstations edition.
- Have the latest Windows update installed, including the licensing preparation package Microsoft lists on its ESU page.
- Be signed in with an administrator Microsoft account. Child accounts are not eligible.
- Not be in kiosk mode, joined to an Active Directory domain, joined to Microsoft Entra, or enrolled in a device management system. These rules mostly affect work computers.
To see your version, press the Windows key, type winver and press Enter.
How to enroll in two minutes
- Open Settings.
- Go to Update and Security, then Windows Update.
- If your PC is eligible, you will see an option to enroll in Extended Security Updates. Select it.
- If you use a local account, Windows asks you to sign in with a Microsoft account.
- Choose the free Windows Backup option, Rewards points, or the paid option.
If the enroll option does not appear, install every pending update first and restart. The option often appears only once the PC is fully up to date.
If your PC is not eligible
An unpatched computer is a growing risk, especially one you use for banking, email or work. If ESU is not available to you:
- Check whether your PC can run Windows 11. Many computers from the last few years can upgrade for free through Windows Update.
- Limit what the old PC does. Use it offline, or for tasks that do not involve passwords and payments.
- Keep your browser updated. Browsers update separately from Windows, and an up to date browser closes many common attack routes.
- Plan a replacement before October 2027 rather than after something goes wrong.
Why this matters
Security updates are invisible when they work, which makes them easy to ignore. Most real attacks on home computers use known weaknesses that a patch already fixed. Enrolling takes a few minutes and costs nothing for most people, and it buys a full extra year to move to a supported system calmly instead of in a rush.
Use that year. Mark October 2027 in your calendar now, and treat it as the date your Windows 10 PC should be retired or upgraded.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to do anything if I already enrolled in Windows 10 ESU?
No. Microsoft says devices that are already enrolled keep receiving security updates until the program ends on 12 October 2027 without any further action.
Is Windows 10 ESU really free?
There is a no cost option: turning on Windows Backup to sync your PC settings. The other options are redeeming 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points or paying a one time fee of 30 US dollars plus tax.
Can I enroll with a local account?
You need to sign in with an administrator Microsoft account to enroll. If you use a local account, Windows asks you to sign in with a Microsoft account during enrollment. Child accounts are not eligible.
How many PCs does one ESU license cover?
Microsoft says one ESU license can be used on up to 10 devices.
Will my PC stop working after October 2027?
No. Windows 10 keeps running, but it stops receiving security fixes, so newly discovered vulnerabilities stay open. That is why planning a move to a supported system before then matters.
Where do I find the enrollment option?
Open Settings, then Update and Security, then Windows Update. If your device is eligible, an option to enroll appears there.