Quick answer: Windows 10 security updates for home users don’t stop this month. Microsoft has extended its consumer Extended Security Updates (ESU) program to 12 October 2027, and you can still enroll for free by syncing your PC settings, or with 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points, or a one-time US$30 payment.
If you’ve been bracing for 13 October 2026, the date Microsoft originally set as the end of the consumer ESU program, you can relax a little. As of October 2026, Microsoft’s own Windows 10 ESU page says: “You can enroll in ESU any time until the program ends on October 12, 2027.”
That gives Windows 10 owners roughly another year of security patches. It doesn’t make Windows 10 a long-term option, though, and there are a few conditions you need to meet first.
What changed, and when?
Windows 10 itself reached end of support in October 2025. To soften the blow, Microsoft offered home users one year of Extended Security Updates, running to 13 October 2026. In late June 2026, Microsoft updated its ESU documentation to push that end date out to 12 October 2027, as Help Net Security reported on 26 June 2026.
There was no big press release. According to TechRadar, the change was spotted on Microsoft’s support pages, and Microsoft confirmed to Windows Latest that it was intentional rather than a website error.
The practical upshot: anyone already enrolled keeps getting updates through October 2027 without doing anything, and anyone who hasn’t enrolled yet still has time.
What does ESU actually give you?
ESU is a security bridge, not a new lease of life for Windows 10. You get critical and important security fixes through Windows Update. You don’t get new features, design changes, non-security bug fixes or technical support, as TechRepublic’s eligibility rundown points out.
That’s still worth having. An unpatched PC that browses the web, opens email attachments and handles banking logins is an easy target. Security fixes are the part of Windows Update that matters most for everyday safety.
Does my PC qualify for Windows 10 ESU?
Most home PCs running an up-to-date copy of Windows 10 will qualify. Based on Microsoft’s ESU page and the reporting above, your PC needs to:
- Run Windows 10 version 22H2 (Home, Pro, Pro Education or Pro for Workstations).
- Have the latest Windows updates installed.
- Be enrolled using a Microsoft account that has administrator rights on the PC. Child accounts can’t enroll.
- Be a personal device, not one managed by a company or school.
PCs that are domain-joined, joined to Microsoft Entra, managed through mobile device management (MDM) or running in kiosk mode aren’t eligible for the consumer program. Those devices fall under Microsoft’s separate, paid commercial ESU.
To check your version, press Windows key + R, type winver and press Enter. The window that opens shows your version number. If it doesn’t say 22H2, run Windows Update first.
How to enroll in Windows 10 ESU
Enrollment happens inside Windows Update. The exact wording on screen can vary a little by region, but the steps look like this:
- Open Settings and go to Update & Security, then Windows Update.
- Install any pending updates and restart if asked. The enrollment option only appears on fully updated PCs.
- Look for the Extended Security Updates message and select Enroll now.
- Sign in with your Microsoft account if you’re using a local account. ESU requires a Microsoft account.
- Pick one of the three enrollment options (see below) and follow the prompts.
- Once you’re enrolled, Windows Update will confirm it. Updates then arrive automatically, as they always have.
If you don’t see the enrollment option, the usual causes are a missing update, an older Windows 10 version or a work or school account on the PC.
Free or paid: which enrollment option should you pick?
Microsoft offers three routes, and all of them cover you to 12 October 2027. One license covers up to 10 devices on the same Microsoft account, according to Help Net Security.
| Option | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Sync your PC settings (Windows Backup) | Free | Most people who already use a Microsoft account |
| Redeem Microsoft Rewards points | 1,000 points | People who already have a points balance |
| One-time purchase | US$30 (or local equivalent, plus tax) | People who don’t want settings synced to the cloud |
For most readers, the free settings-sync option makes the most sense. It backs up things like your preferences and Wi-Fi details to your Microsoft account. If you’d rather not, the Rewards route is also free if you already have the points.
Microsoft’s page notes that enrollment options and timing can differ in the European Economic Area. The page shows a regional version based on where you open it, so check it from your own country if you’re in Europe. For India, the paid option is charged at the local equivalent price shown during checkout. We couldn’t find an official rupee figure, so we haven’t quoted one.
What should you do before October 2027?
Treat the extra year as planning time, not a reason to forget about it. Here’s a sensible order of jobs:
- Enroll now, even if you plan to upgrade soon. It costs nothing on the free route and keeps you protected in the meantime.
- Check whether your PC can run Windows 11. Many PCs from 2018 onward can. Our guide on how to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 walks through the checks and the free upgrade.
- Back up your files to an external drive or cloud storage before any big change.
- Budget for a replacement if your PC can’t run Windows 11. You’ve got a year to watch for sales rather than buying in a hurry.
If your PC does meet the requirements, upgrading to Windows 11 is still the better long-term move. Windows 11 keeps getting features and full support, including the Windows 11 2026 Update that began rolling out on 29 September 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to re-enroll if I already signed up for ESU?
No. People already enrolled get the extension automatically and don’t need to take any action, according to TechRadar’s report. Just keep Windows Update switched on.
Is Windows 10 ESU really free?
Yes, if you sync your PC settings with a Microsoft account or redeem 1,000 Rewards points. The only paid route is the one-time US$30 purchase (or local equivalent), and it’s optional.
Can I use ESU with a local account?
You need a Microsoft account with administrator rights to enroll. Windows will prompt you to sign in during enrollment if you’re on a local account.
Will my apps keep working on Windows 10?
Most will, for now. But app makers gradually drop support for old operating systems, and ESU doesn’t add features or fix non-security bugs. Expect more apps to stop supporting Windows 10 over the next year.
What happens after 12 October 2027?
As things stand, consumer ESU ends on that date and Windows 10 PCs stop getting security fixes. Microsoft has already moved the date once, but you shouldn’t plan around it happening again.
For more PC and laptop guides, browse our Computing section.
Sources
- Microsoft: Windows 10 Consumer Extended Security Updates (ESU)
- Help Net Security: Microsoft gives Windows 10 users an unexpected extra year of free security updates
- TechRadar: Microsoft extends Windows 10 support out of the blue
- TechRepublic: Free Windows 10 Security Updates Run Until 2027, but Not Every PC Qualifies
- Pureinfotech: Microsoft extends Windows 10 ESU through October 2027