Windows 10 reached end of free support in October 2025, but Microsoft left a door open: a consumer Extended Security Updates programme that keeps critical patches flowing for one more year. The genuinely useful part is that you can enrol at no cost. If your PC syncs its settings to a Microsoft account, the price drops to zero, and the coverage runs until 13 October 2026. Here is exactly how to switch it on.

Quick Answer

Open Settings, go to Update and Security, then Windows Update, and look for the Enroll now link under the end-of-support notice. Sign in with a Microsoft account and choose the free option, which costs nothing if you sync your settings. Enrolment covers your PC with critical security updates until 13 October 2026.

Before you start: the requirements

A few boxes have to be ticked or the Enroll now link will not appear.

  1. Your PC must be running Windows 10 version 22H2. Older versions are not eligible. Check this under Settings, System, About, where the version is listed.
  2. Install all pending updates first. The enrolment option is delivered through Windows Update itself, so a machine that is behind on patches may not show it yet.
  3. Have a Microsoft account ready. A local-only account will not work for ESU enrolment, and the free path specifically depends on signing in with a Microsoft account.

If the version reads 22H2 and you are fully patched but still see no link, give it a few days. Microsoft rolled the option out in stages rather than to every machine at once.

Step by step: enrolling for free

Once the requirements are met, the process takes a couple of minutes.

  1. Open Settings from the Start menu, then select Update and Security.
  2. Choose Windows Update in the left-hand list.
  3. Find the end-of-support message and click Enroll now. A short wizard opens.
  4. Sign in with your Microsoft account if prompted.
  5. Pick the free enrolment route. There are three ways to qualify: at no cost if you are syncing your PC settings to the account, by redeeming 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points, or by paying a one-time fee of about 30 US dollars or the local equivalent. Choose the settings-sync option to pay nothing.
  6. Confirm. ESU activates automatically and your PC keeps receiving critical updates.

One account can cover up to 10 PCs, so a household or small office can enrol several machines under the same sign-in.

What ESU actually covers, and what it does not

The free programme delivers critical and important security patches only. It does not include new features, general bug fixes, or full technical support. Think of it as a safety net that buys you time, not a continuation of normal Windows 10 servicing. When the window closes on 13 October 2026, an unenrolled or unsupported machine stops getting even these security fixes, which is when staying on Windows 10 starts to carry real risk.

What ESU does not cover

It is worth being specific about the gaps. The programme delivers critical and important security patches, but driver updates through Windows Update stop flowing regardless of ESU status. That means newly released hardware drivers for printers, GPUs or peripherals attached after October 2025 will not arrive automatically. Technical support from Microsoft is also excluded; ESU is a security lifeline, not a help desk subscription. New features, quality-of-life improvements, and compatibility work for new software are all off the table too.

Use the year to plan your next move

A sensible way to treat this year is as a planning runway rather than a permanent solution. If your current PC cannot meet the Windows 11 requirements, the ESU window is a good time to budget for a replacement. Compact, modern machines are an easy upgrade for general use, and you can see what fits in the mini PC range at Evetech. For a broader view of what other buyers are choosing as their Windows 11 machine, the PC best sellers list is a quick reference.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Windows 10 ESU really free for consumers?

Yes, if you enrol while signed in to a Microsoft account and sync your PC settings. The other two routes, 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points or a roughly 30 US dollar one-time fee, also exist if you prefer not to sync.

How long does the free ESU coverage last?

Consumer ESU runs for one year and ends on 13 October 2026. After that date an enrolled Windows 10 PC stops receiving security updates.

Why can I not see the Enroll now option?

The most common reasons are not running version 22H2, missing pending updates, or the staged rollout not having reached your machine yet. Update fully, confirm the version, and check back over the next few days.

Do I need a Microsoft account to enrol?

Yes. ESU enrolment requires signing in with a Microsoft account, and the free settings-sync path depends on it. A local-only account cannot enrol.

Can one Microsoft account cover more than one PC?

Yes, up to 10 PCs per Microsoft account. That makes it practical for a family or a small office to enrol several machines under a single sign-in.

Enrolling buys you safe time on Windows 10, but it ends in October 2026. Use the runway to plan your upgrade and browse Windows 11 ready machines in the mini PC range at Evetech so the switch is on your terms, not a deadline's.