Windows 10 support has ended, but home users can still enroll in Microsoft’s Consumer Extended Security Updates program through October 12, 2027. If you already enrolled, Microsoft says coverage now continues automatically through that date with no new action; if you have not enrolled, do it now or upgrade an eligible PC to Windows 11.
Last updated: October 16, 2026.
ESU is a temporary security bridge, not a second life cycle for Windows 10. It supplies critical and important security updates, but not new features, ordinary non-security fixes, or general technical support.
| Audience | Requirement | Cost or current status | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home user staying on Windows 10 | Eligible Windows 10 version 22H2 PC, current updates, and a Microsoft account for enrollment | Sync PC settings at no additional cost, redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points, or make a one-time US$30 purchase. One license can cover up to 10 devices. | Consumer coverage ends October 12, 2027 |
| Organization with Windows 10 Enterprise, Education, or Pro in commercial use | Commercial ESU license for each covered device | US$61 per device in Year 1; Microsoft says the price doubles in each consecutive year and prior years are cumulative | Year 2 ends October 12, 2027; Year 3 ends October 10, 2028 |
| PC eligible for Windows 11 | Meet Microsoft’s hardware requirements and pass the eligibility check | The upgrade from an eligible Windows 10 PC is free | Standard Windows 10 support ended October 14, 2025, so upgrade or enroll now |
Table of Contents
- Windows 10 ESU Current Status
- Consumer Cost and Eligibility
- How to Enroll
- Business ESU Is Different
- ESU or Windows 11
- What ESU Covers
- Frequently Asked Questions
- The Short Version
Windows 10 ESU Current Status
Microsoft ended standard Windows 10 support on October 14, 2025. A PC without ESU still works, but ordinary Windows 10 editions no longer receive the normal stream of security fixes, feature updates, or technical support.
The current Microsoft consumer ESU page says eligible Windows 10 version 22H2 devices can enroll until October 12, 2027. It also says people already enrolled are covered automatically through that date. This is the key update for home users who expected their original ESU coverage to end in October 2026.
Consumer Cost and Eligibility
For a home PC, Microsoft offers three enrollment routes: sync PC settings through Windows Backup at no additional cost, redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points, or pay a one-time US$30 fee or local-currency equivalent plus tax. All three routes provide the same security-update coverage through October 12, 2027.
The device must run Windows 10 version 22H2 and have the required current updates. You also need to sign in with a Microsoft account to enroll. An existing consumer ESU license can be used on up to 10 devices when each additional device is enrolled with the same Microsoft account.
How to Enroll
- Install current Windows 10 updates and confirm the PC is on version 22H2.
- Open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
- Select Enroll now. If the link does not appear, finish pending updates and check again.
- Sign in with the Microsoft account that will hold the ESU license.
- Choose settings sync, 1,000 Rewards points, or the one-time purchase, then complete the prompts.
Microsoft says a device enrolled after the program began receives earlier ESU security updates as well as future ones. Delaying still leaves the machine exposed before enrollment, so there is no benefit to waiting once you decide to keep using Windows 10.
Business ESU Is Different
The consumer offer does not cover an organization-managed work PC. Microsoft’s commercial Windows 10 ESU documentation lists Year 1 at US$61 per device and says the price doubles in every consecutive year. A business entering in Year 2 must also pay for Year 1 because the licenses and updates are cumulative.
Microsoft’s ESU life-cycle table ends Windows 10 commercial Year 2 on October 12, 2027 and Year 3 on October 10, 2028. Eligible editions include Enterprise, Education, and Pro in commercial use. Organizations should treat ESU as a migration buffer, not a permanent support plan.
Windows 10 ESU or Windows 11
Check Windows 11 eligibility before paying for ESU. Microsoft says the upgrade is free for eligible Windows 10 PCs. The requirements include a compatible processor, 4GB of memory, 64GB of storage, UEFI firmware with Secure Boot capability, and TPM 2.0. Use Microsoft’s PC Health Check rather than guessing from the age of the computer.
If the PC qualifies and all required software and peripherals support Windows 11, upgrading is the cleaner long-term decision. If the hardware does not qualify or a necessary workflow is not ready, consumer ESU buys time through October 2027 while you plan a replacement or migration.
What ESU Covers
Windows 10 ESU delivers critical and important security updates through Windows Update. Microsoft says it does not include new features, customer-requested non-security updates, design changes, or general technical support. Support is limited to ESU licensing, installation, and possible regressions caused by ESU itself.
ESU also does not change the support schedule for every application, driver, browser, or peripheral attached to the PC. Check the vendors for software and hardware that matters to your work, and keep a replacement plan even after enrollment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Windows 10 ESU still available for home users?
Yes. Microsoft says eligible Windows 10 version 22H2 devices can enroll in the consumer program until October 12, 2027. Existing consumer enrollments continue automatically through that date.
Is Windows 10 ESU free?
It can be. Home users can enroll at no additional cost by syncing PC settings, redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points, or pay a one-time US$30 fee or local-currency equivalent plus tax. Business licensing uses a separate per-device price.
What happens after October 12, 2027?
Consumer ESU coverage ends. The PC will keep running, but the consumer program will no longer provide new Windows 10 security updates. Move to supported Windows hardware and software before that date.
Does consumer ESU cover a work laptop?
No. Organization-managed devices use Microsoft’s commercial ESU program. Your employer or IT administrator must handle licensing and enrollment.
The Short Version
Windows 10 standard support is over. If your home PC cannot move to Windows 11 yet, enroll in consumer ESU now; coverage runs through October 12, 2027, and existing enrollments continue automatically. If the PC is eligible for Windows 11, the free upgrade is the better long-term route. Business devices follow a separate, cumulative three-year licensing program that can run through October 10, 2028.
