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Windows 10 ESU Extended to Oct 2027: How to Enroll
Key Takeaway: If you have seen headlines saying Windows 10 security updates end on October 13, 2026, those are out of date. Microsoft quietly extended the free consumer ESU program, and PCs already enrolled roll over to the new end date automatically. If you are not enrolled yet, you can still sign up.
Did Windows 10 ESU end on October 13, 2026?
No. Windows 10 itself reached its normal end of support on October 14, 2025. Microsoft then offered a one-year Extended Security Updates program for home users, and that first year was scheduled to end on October 13, 2026.
Microsoft later extended the consumer program by another year, so enrolled PCs now receive security updates until October 12, 2027. Many articles written before the change still show the old October 2026 date, which is why the confusion is everywhere right now.
What does ESU actually give you?
ESU gives your Windows 10 PC security updates after normal support has ended. It is a safety net to keep your computer protected while you decide what to do next. It does not turn Windows 10 into a fully supported system with new features.
Think of it as extra time, not a permanent plan. Windows 10 ESU for consumers now runs until October 12, 2027, after which your options are to move to Windows 11 or replace the PC.
Who qualifies for consumer ESU?
| Requirement | What it means |
|---|---|
| Windows 10 version 22H2 | Older Windows 10 versions need to be updated first |
| Edition | Home, Pro, Pro Education or Pro for Workstations |
| Latest updates installed | Install pending updates before you enroll |
| Microsoft account | You sign in with an account that has administrator rights on the PC |
To check your version, press Windows key + R, type winver and press Enter. The window should say version 22H2.
How much does Windows 10 ESU cost?
You have three ways to enroll an eligible PC:
- Windows Backup sync: sync your PC settings to your Microsoft account using Windows Backup. This is the free route.
- Microsoft Rewards: redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points.
- One-time payment: pay $30 (plus any applicable tax).
One ESU license can cover up to 10 devices tied to the same Microsoft account, which helps if you look after a few family PCs.
How to enroll in Windows 10 ESU
- Make sure you are signed in to Windows with your Microsoft account (administrator).
- Install all pending updates and restart the PC.
- Open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
- Look for the Enroll now option for Extended Security Updates and select it.
- Choose how you want to enroll: Windows Backup sync, Microsoft Rewards points or the $30 payment.
- Follow the prompts and restart if Windows asks you to.
If you do not see the Enroll now option, check that you are on version 22H2, that updates are fully installed and that you are signed in with a Microsoft account instead of a local account. Offers can also appear gradually, so check again in a day or two.
What if you are not eligible, or the option never appears?
Work through this short list before giving up:
- Run winver and confirm you are on 22H2.
- Open Windows Update, select Check for updates and install everything offered.
- Restart the PC and check Windows Update again.
- Confirm you are signed in with a Microsoft account that has administrator rights.
- If the update process itself stalls, see our guide: Windows update stuck at 0%: how to fix it. The steps are written for Windows 11, but the general checks of restart, connection and storage apply to Windows 10 too.
Should you stay on Windows 10 or upgrade?
ESU buys you time, but it is not a long-term plan. Here is a simple way to think about it.
| Your situation | Sensible next step |
|---|---|
| PC meets Windows 11 requirements | Upgrade to Windows 11 for ongoing updates |
| PC does not meet Windows 11 requirements | Enroll in ESU now and plan a replacement before October 2027 |
| You rely on one old program that needs Windows 10 | Enroll in ESU and test the program on Windows 11 before you switch |
For more on weighing an upgrade against staying put, see our earlier guide: Windows 10 end of life: upgrade or risk it?
Pro Tip: Set a calendar reminder for early 2027 to decide whether to move to Windows 11 or replace the PC. Waiting until the last week before October 12, 2027 leaves no room for problems.
5-minute Windows 10 ESU checklist
- Press Windows key + R, type winver and confirm version 22H2.
- Install all pending Windows updates and restart.
- Sign in with a Microsoft account that is an administrator.
- Open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
- Select Enroll now if it appears.
- Choose Windows Backup sync, 1,000 Rewards points or $30.
- Restart if asked, then note October 12, 2027 as your deadline.
Frequently asked questions
It can be. The free route uses Windows Backup sync to your Microsoft account. You can also use 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points, or pay $30 plus tax.
No. Microsoft says devices that were already enrolled carry over to the new end date automatically.
The consumer ESU program ends, so Windows 10 PCs stop receiving these security updates unless Microsoft announces another change. That is the date to plan around.
No. ESU is about security updates, not new features.
Final thoughts
The October 13, 2026 Windows 10 deadline many people are worried about has moved. If your PC is on version 22H2, enrolling takes only a few minutes, and the free Windows Backup route may cover you at no cost. Use the extra year to plan a proper move to Windows 11 or a new PC.
Sources and limits: This guide was reviewed on October 10, 2026 against reporting from BleepingComputer, Tom's Hardware, Help Net Security and Office Watch on Microsoft's extension of the consumer ESU program. Menu names, prices and the extended end date can change, and one outlet printed a slightly different 2027 date, so confirm the details on Microsoft's Windows 10 ESU support page and in your own Windows Update before you enroll. This article is general guidance and cannot account for every PC setup.
