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Windows 10 security updates now run to October 2027: check yours

By the Brightfix team. Updated October 7, 2026. Applies to Windows 10, version 22H2: Home, Pro, Pro Education and Pro for Workstations.

Quick answer

Microsoft extended consumer Extended Security Updates for Windows 10 to October 12, 2027. If your PC is already enrolled, coverage continues automatically with nothing to do. If not, you can still enroll from Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.

Before you start

  • Checking your status changes nothing on your PC. Enrolling does not touch your files or apps.
  • Enroll only through Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. Ignore pop-ups, emails or calls offering to enroll you.
  • You need the password for a Microsoft account that is an administrator on this PC.

1Check whether your PC is already enrolled

If you enrolled in the last year, your coverage already runs to October 12, 2027 and you can stop here.

  1. Select Start, then Settings (the gear icon).
  2. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
  3. Look near the top of the page for a message about Extended Security Updates.
What you should see

A message saying your PC is enrolled to get Extended Security Updates. If you paid for ESU, the order also shows in your Microsoft account order history.

If it did not work: If you see an Enroll now link instead, your PC is not enrolled yet. Go to the next step. If you see neither, jump to the step about a missing Enroll now link.

Undo: Nothing to undo. This only looks.

2Enroll in Extended Security Updates

Enrolling keeps monthly critical and important security fixes coming to this PC until October 12, 2027.

  1. Open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
  2. Select Enroll now.
  3. If you sign in to Windows with a local account, sign in with your Microsoft account when asked. The ESU license is tied to that account.
  4. Pick one option: back up your PC settings to your Microsoft account (no extra cost), redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points, or make a one-time purchase of $30 USD (or the local equivalent, plus tax).
  5. Follow the prompts to finish, then return to the Windows Update page.
  6. Select Check for updates and install anything offered.
What you should see

The Windows Update page now says your PC is enrolled to get Extended Security Updates.

If it did not work: If enrollment fails or the link is missing, work through the next step to check each requirement, then try again.

Undo: Enrollment does not need undoing. If you paid, refunds follow Microsoft's digital purchase policy for your country. Rewards point redemptions are final.

3Fix a missing Enroll now link

The link only appears when the PC meets every requirement, so check them one by one.

  1. Press Windows + R, type winver and press Enter.
  2. Confirm the window says Version 22H2 (OS Build 19045). Older versions cannot enroll until they update to 22H2.
  3. Open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, select Check for updates, install everything offered and restart.
  4. On the same page, select View update history and look for Extended Security Updates (ESU) Licensing Preparation Package for Windows 10 (KB5126256). Windows installs it automatically once the latest security update is in place, and the PC restarts on its own afterwards.
  5. Open Settings > Accounts > Your info and check that it says Administrator. A child account cannot enroll.
  6. Open Settings > Accounts > Access work or school. A PC joined to a work or school domain, or managed by an organization, is not offered consumer ESU.
  7. Restart the PC and check the Windows Update page again.
What you should see

After the updates and the preparation package are installed, the Enroll now link appears on the Windows Update page.

If it did not work: If updates keep failing to install, the link cannot appear. Fix Windows Update first, then check again. Enrollment options and timing can also differ by region, for example in the European Economic Area.

Undo: Installing updates is not something you need to undo. If a new update causes a problem, you can uninstall it from View update history > Uninstall updates.

4Plan your next step calmly

You have until October 12, 2027, which is enough time to check whether this PC can move to Windows 11.

  1. Download the free PC Health Check app from Microsoft at aka.ms/GetPCHealthCheckApp and install it.
  2. Open PC Health Check and select Check now under Windows 11 eligibility.
  3. Read the result. It explains why the PC is or is not eligible.
  4. If it is eligible, the free upgrade appears in Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update when Windows offers it.
What you should see

A clear yes or no on whether this PC meets the Windows 11 requirements, with the reasons.

If it did not work: If the PC is not eligible, ESU keeps it protected until October 12, 2027. Use that time to plan a replacement without rushing.

Undo: Nothing to undo. This only looks.

How you enrollCostWhat you need
Back up your PC settingsNo extra costA Microsoft account with settings backup turned on
Microsoft Rewards1,000 pointsA Microsoft account with enough Rewards points
One-time purchase$30 USD or local equivalent, plus taxA Microsoft account and a payment method

Why this happens

Windows 10 reached end of support on October 14, 2025. After that date, Microsoft stopped sending regular security fixes through Windows Update. The consumer Extended Security Updates (ESU) program is a paid or free bridge that keeps critical and important security updates coming to enrolled PCs. It was first planned to end in October 2026. In late June 2026, Microsoft updated its pages to say the program now ends on October 12, 2027, and that people who already enrolled are covered to that date automatically. Enrollment is handled by Windows Update together with a small licensing package (KB5126256), which is why the Enroll now link only shows once the PC is on version 22H2 and fully up to date. ESU brings security fixes only, not new features or technical support.

Still stuck?

Do I need to do anything if I enrolled in 2025?

No. Microsoft says that if you are already enrolled, your coverage automatically continues through October 12, 2027 with no action needed. There is no second payment. Keep installing updates from Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update as usual, and check that page now and then to confirm it still says your PC is enrolled.

Can I still enroll after October 13, 2026?

Yes. Microsoft says you can enroll any time until the program ends on October 12, 2027. Once enrolled, the PC receives the critical and important security updates released since Windows 10 support ended. Enrolling sooner is better, because a PC without these fixes is more exposed to malware in the meantime.

How many PCs does one ESU enrollment cover?

One ESU license works on up to 10 Windows 10 PCs. On each extra PC, open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and select Enroll now. If you are signed in with the same Microsoft account, choose Add device. Each PC must meet the same requirements, including version 22H2 and the latest updates.

Can I enroll without a Microsoft account?

No. The ESU license is linked to a Microsoft account, so you will be asked to sign in during enrollment even if you normally use a local account. That account must be an administrator on the PC and cannot be a child account. Other people who use the same PC are covered once anyone on it enrolls.

Does ESU stop me from upgrading to Windows 11 later?

No. Enrolling does not block a Windows 11 upgrade. If your PC meets the Windows 11 hardware requirements, you can upgrade at any time, and the upgrade is offered through Windows Update. Use the free PC Health Check app from Microsoft to see whether your PC qualifies and why.

Related guides

How we checked this guide

Steps and requirements checked against Microsoft's Windows 10 ESU support page, the KB5126256 article and the Windows 10 end of support page on October 7, 2026. Not yet walked through on a Windows 10 test PC. Screenshots coming soon.

Changes

  • October 7, 2026: First published.

Sources

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