Windows 10 end of support: what to do now
Windows 10 reached end of support on 14 October 2025. A Windows 10 PC no longer gets free security updates, so you have two choices: upgrade the PC to Windows 11, or enroll in Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates (ESU), which Microsoft says can protect the device until 12 October 2027.[1][2]
Each choice is a few clicks. Doing neither leaves the PC on software that is no longer fixed when attackers find a hole.
What to do now
- Open Start, then Settings, Update & Security, Windows Update, and select Check for updates. Microsoft says to do this first, because both the upgrade and ESU need the PC to be on Windows 10 version 22H2 with the latest update installed.[1][2]
- If Windows Update offers Windows 11, that is Microsoft’s recommended route. Only PCs that meet the Windows 11 minimum hardware requirements can upgrade.[1]
- If it doesn’t, enroll in ESU to keep getting security fixes while you plan a new PC.
Extended Security Updates
ESU is Microsoft’s program of security updates for Windows 10 after support ended. Microsoft’s US page says enrolled devices get them through 12 October 2027, and that options and pricing can vary by region.[2] Three ways to enroll, from Microsoft’s page:
| Option | What Microsoft says |
|---|---|
| Sync your settings | No additional cost if you are syncing your PC settings |
| Microsoft Rewards | Redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points |
| Buy it | One-time purchase of $30 USD or local equivalent, plus tax |
One license can be used on up to 10 devices.[2]
How to enroll
- Open Settings, then Update & Security, then Windows Update.
- If the PC is eligible, an enroll link appears. Select Enroll now.
- If you use a local account, Windows asks you to sign in with a Microsoft account. If you already back up your PC settings, you’ll see a prompt to enroll. If not, pick one of the three options above.
Before you start, Microsoft lists these requirements: Windows 10 version 22H2 in the Home, Professional, Pro Education or Workstations edition, with the latest update and the licensing preparation package installed. The Microsoft account you sign in with must be an administrator account and can’t be a child account.[2]
If you don’t see the link, run Check for updates first and restart. If a child’s PC says it can’t be enrolled, the parent can enroll it: the child adds the parent as an administrator user on the PC, and the parent signs in with their own account to enroll. Microsoft’s ESU page has the full list and steps.[2]
Moving to Windows 11
Microsoft’s end-of-support page recommends upgrading to Windows 11. If the PC can’t, it suggests a new Windows 11 PC, or ESU while you plan the move.[1] Back up your files before any upgrade, and keep the old PC off the internet or enrolled in ESU until it is replaced or wiped.
Why it matters
A PC with no security updates is a known target. Every flaw found after support ends stays open. We track what each Windows release fixes and which flaws attackers already use on our Windows updates page, and the full list of latest versions covers the other devices in the house. Streaming boxes and other forgotten devices are the same problem: see our guides to updating a Roku and AirPods.
Questions
When did Windows 10 reach end of support?
Microsoft’s page is titled “Windows 10 support has ended on October 14, 2025.” After that date a Windows 10 PC no longer gets the free security updates it used to.
Is Windows 10 safe to use after end of support?
Microsoft says its Extended Security Updates program can protect a Windows 10 device until 12 October 2027. Without enrolling in it, or moving to Windows 11, a Windows 10 PC gets no new security fixes.
How long do Windows 10 Extended Security Updates last?
Microsoft’s US page says enrolled devices receive extended security updates through 12 October 2027. It adds that enrollment options and pricing can vary by region.
How much do Windows 10 Extended Security Updates cost?
Microsoft lists three ways to enroll: at no extra cost if you sync your PC settings (Windows Backup), by redeeming 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points, or a one-time purchase of $30 USD (or local equivalent) plus tax. One license covers up to 10 devices.
How do I enroll in Windows 10 ESU?
Microsoft says to open Settings, go to Update & Security, then Windows Update, and select Enroll now. The link only shows on an eligible device: version 22H2 in a supported edition (Home, Professional, Pro Education or Workstations) with the latest update installed. You also need a Microsoft account that is an administrator account and not a child account. A parent can enroll a child’s PC from their own administrator account.
Can my PC upgrade to Windows 11?
Microsoft says only PCs on Windows 10 version 22H2 that meet the Windows 11 minimum hardware requirements can upgrade. If yours doesn’t qualify, Microsoft suggests a new Windows 11 PC, or enrolling in ESU while you plan the move.
Do Extended Security Updates add new features?
Microsoft’s pages we read describe ESU as security updates only. They do not describe new features.
References
- ^ Microsoft Support, “Windows 10 support has ended on October 14, 2025”, read 8 November 2026 (the page shows no update date).
- ^ Microsoft, “Windows 10 Consumer Extended Security Updates (ESU)”, US page, read 8 November 2026. Enrollment options and timing can vary by region; check Microsoft’s ESU page for your country.