Free Windows 10 Security Updates End in October 2026: The Deadline

The clock on free Windows 10 security updates runs out on 13 October 2026. That is the day the consumer Extended Security Updates programme closes, and once it passes, any PC still on Windows 10 stops receiving security patches from Microsoft entirely. Mainstream support already ended in October 2025, so ESU has been the safety net keeping older machines protected. After this date, there is no free patch and no paid consumer extension left.

Quick Answer

The consumer Windows 10 ESU programme delivers free security updates only through 13 October 2026. After that, no further patches arrive for Windows 10 at the consumer level. To stay covered, either enrol in ESU now for protection until that date, or move to Windows 11, which most machines from the last several years can run.

What the Deadline Actually Means

Windows 10 reached the end of mainstream support in October 2025. ESU was the bridge: it kept critical and important security fixes flowing to machines running Windows 10 version 22H2 for one extra year. That bridge ends on 13 October 2026, and it is the final consumer extension, with no paid year two on offer the way businesses get.

Once the date passes, a PC left on Windows 10 keeps working, but it stops getting fixes for newly discovered vulnerabilities. Over time that turns an everyday machine into a soft target, which matters most for anything you use for banking, email or work. The hardware is fine. It is the unpatched software underneath that becomes the risk.

How to Enrol in Free ESU Before It Closes

Enrolment is genuinely free if you pick the right path. Microsoft offers three consumer routes, and two cost nothing. You can enrol at no charge by syncing your PC settings to the cloud through a Microsoft account, or redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points. The third option is a one time payment of about $30 USD or the local currency equivalent plus tax, which only makes sense if you cannot use the free routes.

Your machine must be on Windows 10 version 22H2 in the Home, Pro, Pro Education or Workstation edition to qualify. You can enrol any time up to 13 October 2026, and the enrolment prompt appears in Windows Update settings. Doing it sooner rather than later means you are covered with no gap.

The Smarter Long Term Move

ESU buys time, it does not solve the problem. If your PC meets the Windows 11 requirements, upgrading is the cleaner answer because it puts you back on a fully supported operating system with ongoing patches and features. Most desktops and laptops from roughly the last five to six years clear the bar, and the upgrade from a genuine Windows 10 licence is free.

If your machine is too old for Windows 11, the deadline is a natural prompt to plan a replacement rather than run an unsupported system. A compact, low power mini PC is an easy modern upgrade for everyday browsing and office work, and you can compare full systems in the PC best sellers list to find something that ships with Windows 11 ready to go.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens to my PC after 13 October 2026?

It keeps running normally, but Microsoft stops issuing security patches for Windows 10 at the consumer level. New vulnerabilities discovered after that date go unfixed, which gradually raises your exposure to malware, especially for online banking and sensitive accounts.

Is enrolling in ESU really free?

Yes, through two of the three routes. Syncing your PC settings with a Microsoft account costs nothing, and so does redeeming 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points. The third route is a one time payment of roughly $30 USD equivalent, which you only need if the free options do not suit you.

Should I just upgrade to Windows 11 instead?

If your hardware qualifies, yes. Windows 11 keeps you on a fully supported system with ongoing security and feature updates, and the upgrade from a valid Windows 10 licence is free. ESU is only a temporary patch for machines that cannot make the jump yet.

How do I check if my PC can run Windows 11?

Run Microsoft's PC Health Check app, which tells you whether your machine meets the requirements. The common sticking points are the TPM 2.0 chip and the processor generation, so a machine from the last several years usually passes while older ones may not.