Your Windows 10 PC Won’t Get Security Updates After Oct. 14 Unless You Do This Windows 10’s journey is nearing its end. On October 14th, Microsoft will cease providing feature updates for this widely-used operating system. Despite its 10-year lifespan, Windows 10 remains in use by an estimated 400 million computers – nearly 41% of all PC owners worldwide. If you’re among these users, you’ll need to either upgrade to Windows 11 or continue utilizing the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program. Microsoft is offering this program to grant users an additional year of security updates, extending support through October 13, 2026. This is a crucial step for maintaining security, especially considering the serious risks associated with unpatched vulnerabilities. The ESU program isn’t intended as a permanent solution, but rather a temporary bridge to facilitate a secure transition to a newer, supported platform. Security vulnerabilities pose a significant threat, making the ESU program essential for users who are unable or unwilling to upgrade to Windows 11.

The Cost of Security: $30 or Free? Enrolling in Microsoft’s ESU program typically costs $30. However, a welcome exception exists for European users, who can access the program entirely free of charge. Fortunately, the rest of the world has two alternative enrollment options. First, you can leverage Windows Backup and sync your settings to your OneDrive account. Second, you can redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points. While a large accumulation of Rewards points might be uncommon, these options provide a cost-effective way to bolster your PC’s security. It’s important to note that the 5GB of free OneDrive storage may be insufficient for users with extensive settings data, potentially leading to additional storage costs.

How to Enroll in Extended Security Updates Enrolling in the ESU program is a straightforward process. Here’s a step-by-step guide: 1. **Ensure You’re Up-to-Date:** Verify that your Windows 10 installation is running the latest version, version 22H2. You can check this in Settings > Windows Update > View Update History. 2. **Administrative Privileges:** Confirm you have administrative rights on your PC. 3. **Navigate to Windows Update:** Go to Settings > Windows Update. 4. **Locate the Enrollment Link:** In the top right corner of the interface, you should see messaging indicating that Windows 10 support ends in October 2025 and a link to "Enroll in Extended Security Updates." Clicking this link will open the Extended Security Updates enrollment wizard. 5. **Choose Your Enrollment Method:** Within the wizard, you’ll be presented with three options: Back up your PC settings (using Windows Backup and Syncing with OneDrive), pay $30, or redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points.

Enrollment Timeline & Potential Delays Enrollment in the ESU program is available at any time until before the program ends on October 13, 2026. However, Microsoft is currently rolling out the enrollment wizard to all locations and devices, and some users, like our CNET test computer running Windows 10, have reported difficulty accessing the "Enroll now" link or messaging, even after installing the necessary August 2025 patch (KB5063709). Microsoft’s spokesperson stated that they are actively working to restore the availability of the program in a subset of markets. It’s crucial to remain patient and monitor for updates.

Free ESU Options There are two ways to access the ESU program without cost: * **Windows Backup & OneDrive Sync:** Back up your PC settings to OneDrive using Windows Backup. This offers 5GB of free storage. However, if your settings data is extensive, you might incur additional storage costs. * **Microsoft Rewards Points:** Redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points for ESU access.

End of the Road for Windows 10 Windows 10’s impressive 10-year run is drawing to a close, with updates unlikely to extend beyond 2026. Despite this, the ESU program provides a welcome stopgap for many users who aren’t yet ready to transition to Windows 11. The future of security for these users hinges on the continued availability and effectiveness of this temporary solution.