Do that now should you plan to stay with Home windows 10 previous October 14

In some way, Windows 10 remains to be enormously widespread within the PC world. I may perceive clinging on to it if Windows 11 was recent, however that OS has been accessible since October 2021, and the improve is free until you are shopping for a new PC or in any other case want a full copy. There are respectable causes to stay with Home windows 10 — at this level, although, they have been decreased to {hardware} compatibility, and the possibility that you’ve apps that will not run on something newer. That is unlikely, provided that each 10 and 11 function on related frameworks.

Microsoft is formally ending assist for Home windows 10 in October 2025, over 10 years after it launched. You’ll be able to maintain utilizing the software program after that time, however you will need to enroll within the firm’s Prolonged Safety Updates program if you wish to maintain your pc protected on-line. Even that is meant to be a really short-term bridge in your strategy to Home windows 11, as I will clarify in a second. The writing is on the wall.

What’s the Prolonged Safety Updates program for Home windows 10?

One final lifeline

Microsoft executives are hardly blind. They’re conscious that Home windows 11 utilization solely not too long ago eclipsed Windows 10, regardless of aggressive advertising and marketing for the previous 4 years, and the supply of 11 on any new PC you would possibly need to purchase. Consequently, at the very least some clients could possibly be left in a precarious place after October, unable to get the identical safety safety afforded to others. There’s solely to date third-party software program can take you if the factor you are defending is not tailored to the present menace panorama. Consider it like utilizing a movement alarm, a floodlight, and a guard canine to guard a display screen door that is barely holding on to its hinges — the canine and alarm system would possibly do the trick, however there’s nothing stopping an intruder from wreaking havoc in the event that they make it to your home.

As Microsoft describes it, the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program is designed as a “short-term bridge to remain safe whereas one migrates to a more moderen, supported platform,” i.e. Home windows 11. It permits collaborating customers to maintain receiving Home windows 10 safety updates — and solely safety updates — via October 13, 2026. Microsoft may hypothetically prolong assist even additional, however I would not depend on it. Supporting older platforms prices cash and personnel, assets that could possibly be higher put in the direction of the event of Home windows 12, from Microsoft’s perspective. Sure, that is one thing that could possibly be coming as quickly as a yr from now.

There are a number of catches to the ESU, essentially the most fundamental being that it is advisable be working the most recent model of Home windows 10, 22H2. Extra considerably, there are solely a few methods of upgrading totally free: backing up your PC’s settings to OneDrive, or utilizing 1,000 Microsoft Rewards factors. In the event you’re not ready to do both of these, you will need to pay $30 (within the US), presumably as a method of offsetting the prices of conserving folks engaged on Home windows 10 for the subsequent 12 months or so.

You’ll be able to enroll within the ESU anytime between now and its finish date. Realistically, it is best to enroll as quickly as attainable should you’re desiring to, since there isn’t any sense leaving a spot in your PC’s safety. In case your solely sign-up possibility is the paid one, I might counsel making the leap to Home windows 11 instantly, if in any respect attainable — it is a bit ridiculous to waste $30 that would go in the direction of extra sensible considerations. In that regard, the price might be meant to be a kick within the pants.

How to enroll in the Prolonged Safety Updates program

Chances are you’ll want to put some groundwork

Microsoft

An essential notice earlier than I start is that whereas the ESU is supposed to be broadly accessible, some customers have not seen the choice seem. That is on account of an unspecified drawback on Microsoft’s finish, which it is making an attempt to repair. It is totally attainable that by the point you learn this, every thing might be rolling out completely.

Everytime you’re prepared to enroll, observe the guidelines beneath to get issues underway.

• Be sure you have administrative privileges in your PC. Change to a person profile that does. If you cannot, you might have to ask somebody to grant you these privileges via Settings > Accounts > Household & different customers.
• Doublecheck that you simply’re working Home windows 10 2H22 by opening Settings and going to Home windows Replace > View Replace Historical past.
• You will additionally need the most recent Home windows 10 safety patch, which as of this writing was August 2025’s KB5063709. If it would not seem someplace in View Replace Historical past, you will have to run Home windows Replace to verify for it.
• Nonetheless within the Home windows Replace menu, search for textual content within the top-right nook that reads “Home windows 10 assist ends in October 2025 — Enroll in Prolonged Safety Updates to assist maintain your gadget safe.” Click on on the hyperlink beneath.
• You will be introduced with a pop-up window with three selectable choices: Again up your PC Settings, Redeem Microsoft Rewards Factors, or One time buy.
• For backup, you will want a
  OneDrive
  account with sufficient house for all of the belongings you intend to sync, together with apps and credentials. Microsoft solely provides 5GB totally free, so this will likely find yourself costing you cash if you wish to carry over images, movies, or music, not simply settings and small paperwork.
• Microsoft Rewards factors are earned by looking out with Bing or the Home windows 10 taskbar, shopping for issues from the Microsoft Retailer, or finishing trivia and quizzes. It’d take a short time to earn 1,000 factors should you’re ranging from scratch.
• In the event you select the one-time buy possibility, you will be guided via the fee course of. Remember that your buy will embrace any relevant taxes, so it might price greater than $30.

That is it — try to be good via October 13, 2026. When new safety updates can be found, they will both obtain robotically or be accessible via the Home windows Replace menu. Keep in mind, nonetheless, that try to be utilizing this time to plan a transition to Home windows 11. Suitable PCs are filth low-cost at this level, so it should not be troublesome for most individuals to improve.

If you cannot improve for no matter purpose, do not panic — Home windows 10 will proceed to run, and third-party safety apps are higher than nothing. It is simply that because the clock ticks, the chances of hackers discovering exploits is certain to develop. I actually would not need to be utilizing Home windows 10 in 2027.