Windows 10 ESU enrollment opens

Microsoft offers a free Extended Security Updates option to extend Windows 10 security through October 2026 as support ends.

Microsoft extends Windows 10 security updates through 2026

Microsoft has released KB5063709, enabling enrollment in Extended Security Updates for Windows 10. Users can choose between two paid options: paying 30 dollars to cover up to 10 PCs on a Microsoft account, or spending 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points to enroll using a local account. Microsoft also advises backing up data and describes ESU as a bridge as users move to a new PC with Windows 11.

Microsoft says the ESU program is meant to keep devices protected during the transition. StatCounter data shows Windows 10 remains in use on about 43 percent of devices, while Windows 11 sits around 53 percent. Windows 11 23H2 security updates end on November 11, 2025, and consumer editions of Windows 11 get 24 months of support. Users who miss the upgrade window will need to move to Windows 11 version 24H2 or 25H2 when those updates release. The plan comes as many readers face hurdles upgrading, and as Microsoft emphasizes ESU as a temporary aid while the ecosystem shifts toward Windows 11.

The ESU option reflects a careful balancing act by Microsoft between security and the friction of upgrading. It gives households and small firms breathing room, but the pricing and enrollment steps may feel opaque to some users. The approach can reduce risk in the short term without forcing immediate hardware changes, yet it also risks delaying broader adoption of Windows 11. In a market where almost half of devices still run Windows 10, the choice to extend support highlights how budget pressures and upgrade fatigue shape policy and user behavior.

Highlights

The path to a safer Windows future depends on clear guidance and practical steps for users.