Windows 10 support ending this month means you won’t have the security patches to keep your computer safe, but you can fix this problem.
If you’re still using Windows 10, Microsoft just stopped sending out the security patches that keep your computer safe from viruses and hackers. Your computer will keep working fine, but it’s going to get riskier to use over time.
The good news about Windows 10 end of life
The good news is you can sign up for something called Extended Security Updates and get another full year of protection for free. You’ll need to link your computer to Microsoft’s online backup service and make sure you’re using an administrator account, but the whole process only takes a few minutes. After that, you’ve got 12 months to decide whether to upgrade to Windows 11, buy a new computer, or keep pushing the deadline down the road. We’ll walk you through exactly how to sign up so your computer stays protected.
The fix for Windows 10 support ending to keep you protected
Signing up for Windows 10 security updates using the Extended Security Updates free package is pretty easy. This will keep your Windows 10 PC safe while you choose whether or not to update to Windows 11. Here are the steps to get ESU on your Windows 10 device according to Microsoft:
- Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. If your device meets the prerequisites, you’ll see a link to enroll in ESU.
- Once you select Enroll now, you’ll start the enrollment process. If you have a Windows local account, you will be prompted to sign in to your Microsoft account. If you are already backing up your PC settings, you will see a prompt to enroll your device.
- If you aren’t backing up your Windows settings, you can choose if you want to begin backing up your settings, redeem Rewards, or make a one-time purchase to enroll in ESU.
Your Windows support ending means you need to know what to do
If you’re making a long list of Windows 10 vs Windows 11 features and reasons to hold onto Windows 10, even with the support ending, you could benefit from answers to some common FAQs. Thankfully, Microsoft has provided several of these to help ensure you have a smooth transition and keep your computer security updates that you need.
Here are just a few of those FAQs:
Why should I enroll in ESU?
If you need more time to move to Windows 11, enrolling in ESU gives you the peace of mind you need by helping protect your Windows 10 device until the program ends on October 13,2026. At that time you will need to move to Windows 11. Thankfully, using ESU means you have everything from your Windows 10 backup available to you.
When will I start to receive critical security updates with ESU?
The ESU program sends critical and important security updates for enrolled Windows 10 PCs after the last day of support for Windows 10. These updates will be delivered through Windows Updates as they’re made available.
If I enroll in ESU, can I still upgrade my PC to Windows 11?
Yes, enrolling in ESU doesn’t prevent you from upgrading your PC to Windows 11. In fact, with the Windows 10 support ending date already passed, you might want to upgrade soon. If your PC meets the hardware eligibility requirements, you can upgrade to Windows 11.
There are multiple users on my device. Do we all need to enroll in ESU?
No, once any users on a Windows 10 PC enroll in ESU, any additional users on that PC will also be protected. Users who other Windows 10 PCs will need to enroll those devices in ESU to be protected.
How do I enroll my child’s Windows 10 PC in ESU?
It’s likely that you need to log in on your child’s device as the Administrator to enroll the PC in ESU. This can be done by switching the account and logging in. If you are not already a user on their device, your child will need to add you to the device to enroll in ESU.
If you want your PC to be protected while you decide to upgrade to Windows 11, you need to enroll in ESU. This is the free fix for the Windows 10 support ending, and it allows you to have a little more time (a full year) to decide when you should upgrade to Windows 11.
