Windows 10 Support Ends; Users Can Extend Security Updates for One Year

As of October 14, 2025, Microsoft has officially ended support for Windows 10, ceasing regular security updates and technical assistance for the operating system. To maintain system security, users have several options: upgrading to Windows 11, purchasing a new device with Windows 11 pre-installed, or enrolling in Microsoft's Extended Security Updates (ESU) program to receive an additional year of security patches.

Enrolling in the ESU program is a straightforward process. Users should ensure their system is up-to-date by navigating to Settings > System > About to verify the current version. It's also important to be signed in with an administrator account, typically the first account created on the device. To check if the PC is eligible for a free upgrade to Windows 11, users can look for an upgrade option in the Settings menu. If the device is not eligible, they can proceed with the ESU enrollment by selecting Update & Security from the Settings menu and clicking the "Enroll Now" link. If this link is not visible, installing the latest Windows 10 updates may be necessary.

During enrollment, users can choose to back up their PC settings to Microsoft's cloud-based service, which is free for the first 5 GB of storage. This option requires linking the Windows login to a Microsoft account. After signing in, a prompt will appear to add the device to receive Extended Security Updates; clicking "Add Device" completes the enrollment.

By enrolling in the ESU program, users can continue using Windows 10 securely for an additional year, providing time to plan a transition to Windows 11 or other alternatives.