Free Extended Security Updates (ESU) for Windows 10

WIndows 10 will become end of life on 14 October 2025. More than 40 percent of all Windows computers continue to run Windows 10 as per the latest study results published by Statcounter.

Microsoft has launched an Extended Security Update (ESU) program for Windows 10. The ESU program is a paid subscription. It allows Windows 10 computers to access extended security updates that will be released for Windows 10 from November 2025.

Are there any ways by which you could enroll your Windows 10 computer in Extended Security Update without incurring the costs?

Yes, retail customers or consumers could enroll in the Extended Security Update program for Windows 10 without incurring the costs.

We know that all countries in Europe (except Switzerland and UK) will get free subscription to the ESU program for Windows 10. For countries outside the European Economic Area (EEA), there are two ways by which you could enroll in the Windows 10 ESU program for free.

Get Free Extended Security Updates for Windows 10

If you are from Europe, please check detailed instructions on how you could enable extended security updates for Windows 10 for free.

The easiest method is to use Microsoft reward points to get access to one year or Extended Security Updates for Windows 10. ESU subscription between October 2025 and October 2026 can be availed for FREE by encashing 100 Microsoft reward points. If you use Microsoft products on a daily basis, 1000 reward points do not take much effort to be earned.

The second method is easy too. You need to backup your computer’s settings on Microsoft cloud. Once your PC settings have been backed up to the cloud, you become eligible or qualify for a free subscription to the Extended Security Updates for Windows 10.

Here are the detailed instructions on how you could backup your computer settings to Microsoft cloud:

• Do ensure that your Windows 10 computer is on Windows 10 22H2 version.
• Your Windows 10 computer could be running Windows 10, version 22H2 Home, Professional, Pro Education or Workstations edition.
• Do ensure that your Windows 10 computer is patched with KB5046613 or later security update. KB5046613 was released in November 2024.
• Login to Microsoft account on Windows 10 computer. Without a valid Microsoft account logged in, free ESU subscription option will be unavailable on the computer.
• Open WIndows Backup (Press Start and then type Backup).
• Choose the option to ‘Backup and sync your settings’.
• This would backup your computer’s settings to OneDrive.
• Once the data and settings are backed up, you will need to open Windows Update.
• Open Windows Update. There should be an option to ‘Enroll in the ESU program for Windows’ for free.
• Select the option and your computer becomes eligible to receive free ESU or extended security updates for Windows 10 until October 2026.

Once your computer’s settings are backed up, free subscription to Windows 10 ESU becomes active on your computer.

The free subscription for Extended Security Updates for Windows 10 computers will be valid for a year’s worth of security updates until October 2026.

Your computer can enroll in the ESU program for FREE only if it is a consumer or retail customer system. If you are using Windows 10 on a business computer, FREE subscription to Windows 10 ESU is unavailable. You will need to have to buy a commercial license to Windows 10 ESU program by paying the subscription fee.

The following Windows 10 computers are not eligible for FREE subscription to the ESU program for Windows 10 or Extended Security Updates for Windows 10:

• Windows 10 computer in kiosk mode.
• Windows 10 computer joined to an Active Directory domain or that are Microsoft Entra joined.
• Windows 10 computer enrolled in a Mobile Device Management (MDM) solution.
• Windows 10 computers that already have an ESU license.

-.