Windows 10 support officially ended in October 2025, but the patches did not have to stop for you. Microsoft built a consumer Extended Security Updates path that costs nothing if you set it up correctly, and most people who are still on Windows 10 qualify. Getting another year of Windows 10 updates for free comes down to signing in with a Microsoft account and switching on the right sync setting, which quietly enrols you in the program.

Quick Answer

Sign into Windows 10 with a Microsoft account and turn on Windows Backup (the "sync your settings" option). That enrols you in consumer ESU at no cost, extending security updates through 13 October 2026. Your PC must be running Windows 10 version 22H2 in Home, Pro, Pro Education or Workstation edition.

The three ways to enrol, and why the free one wins

Microsoft offers consumer ESU through three routes: pay a one-off fee of around 30 US dollars (or local equivalent), redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points, or activate Windows Backup under a signed-in Microsoft account, which triggers free enrolment automatically. All three deliver the same updates through the same end date of 13 October 2026, so there is no reason to pay when the free backup-sync route is available to you.

The free path works because Microsoft ties enrolment to having Windows Backup active under a signed-in Microsoft account. Once that condition is met, the system triggers ESU enrolment automatically and the updates keep flowing.

How to set it up, step by step

The whole process takes a few minutes:

  1. Confirm you are on Windows 10 version 22H2. Open Settings, then System, then About, and check the version. If you are on an older build, run Windows Update first to reach 22H2.
  2. Sign in with a Microsoft account rather than a local-only account. Go to Settings, then Accounts, and switch to a Microsoft account if you are using a local one.
  3. Turn on Windows Backup. Open the Windows Backup app or the sync settings, and enable settings sync so your preferences back up to OneDrive.
  4. Open Windows Update and look for the ESU enrolment prompt. With the conditions met, an "enrol now" option appears; follow it through to confirm.
  5. Verify enrolment. Once done, Windows Update should show you are receiving extended security updates.

If the prompt does not appear immediately, make sure all pending updates are installed and reboot, then check again.

When the free year runs out

This buys time, not a permanent fix. The consumer ESU program ends on 13 October 2026, and after that Windows 10 is genuinely on its own. Use the year to plan: either move a capable machine to Windows 11, or replace hardware that cannot meet the Windows 11 requirements.

For an older desktop that fails the Windows 11 check on the processor or TPM, a compact replacement is often the cleanest move. A small, low-power machine handles browsing, office work and media without the footprint of a tower case; the mini PC range at Evetech has modern Windows 11 ready options that sit neatly behind a monitor. If you want a broader view of what buyers are choosing right now, the PC best sellers show the most popular current machines alongside their pricing in Rand.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the free ESU enrolment really cost nothing?

Yes. Enabling Windows Backup under a Microsoft account enrols you at no cost. The only alternatives, paying around 30 US dollars or spending 1,000 Rewards points, deliver exactly the same updates, so the sync route is the better deal.

How long do the extra updates last?

Through 13 October 2026. After that date, consumer ESU ends and Windows 10 stops receiving security patches entirely, regardless of how you enrolled.

Which Windows 10 versions qualify?

Your PC must run Windows 10 version 22H2 in Home, Pro, Pro Education or Workstation edition. Older builds need to update to 22H2 first before enrolment is available.

Can one account cover more than one PC?

Yes. A single Microsoft account ESU enrolment can cover up to 10 devices, so a household with several Windows 10 machines can protect them all under one account.

What should I do before October 2026?

Plan your move now. Upgrade eligible machines to Windows 11, and for hardware that cannot meet the Windows 11 requirements, line up a replacement so you are not caught out when the patches stop.

Got an old PC that will not make the jump to Windows 11? Use your free ESU year to plan the swap, then browse compact, ready-to-go options in the mini PC range at Evetech for a tidy, modern desktop that fits anywhere.