Microsoft Extends Free Windows 10 Extended Security Updates Through October 2027

Дата публикации: 26-06-2026 09:26:41

Microsoft has extended the free Windows 10 Extended Security Updates program for consumers by an additional year.
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Microsoft has extended the free Windows 10 Extended Security Updates program for consumers by an additional year. Devices enrolled in the program will continue to receive security updates until October 12, 2027.

This change was made without a formal announcement; it appeared in updates to Microsoft's Windows 10 ESU documentation and as an editor's note on a Windows Experience Blog post published the day before.

Originally, the consumer ESU program was set to end on October 12, 2026. Users already enrolled will automatically be covered until the new end date in October 2027.

What Microsoft Said About the Extension and How to Enroll for Free

The editor's note on the Windows Experience Blog states that the Windows 10 Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for personal devices is being extended for another year, now available through October 12, 2027.

This extension gives users more time to transition to a new Windows 11 PC while continuing to receive essential security updates.

When asked why the extension was implemented, Microsoft told BleepingComputer that they understand moving to a new PC can take time.

As part of their ongoing effort to support customers during the transition, the Windows 10 ESU program for personal devices will now be available for an additional year, providing more flexibility for users to find a suitable PC while remaining protected.

Consumers can continue to receive free extended security updates through several methods: paying $30, backing up Windows settings to a Microsoft account, or redeeming 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points.

For users in the European Economic Area, signing into Windows 10 with a Microsoft account also grants access. The ESU license can be used on up to 10 devices linked to the same Microsoft account. Users in the EEA have the simplest option, which requires no payment, backup, or rewards redemption.

Restrictions and What the Extra Year Means for Windows 10 Users

The consumer ESU program has several restrictions:

It is only available for personal devices and cannot be used with systems joined to Active Directory domains or devices connected to Microsoft Entra.

Additionally, devices managed through Mobile Device Management are not eligible. However, Microsoft Entra-registered devices, rather than joined, can participate.

Enterprise customers have access to a separate paid ESU program that extends security updates for up to three years at a total cost of $427 per device.

For users who haven't upgraded to Windows 11 yet, the extension offers an extra year of support. This is especially important given the rising costs of new PCs in 2026, which are driven by the memory pricing crisis making hardware upgrades more expensive than in previous years.

Users who haven't enrolled in the consumer ESU program should do so now to maintain continuous coverage. The enrollment options have not changed. Those who are already enrolled will receive the extension automatically.

For users running Windows 10 on systems that do not meet the hardware requirements for Windows 11, this extension can be quite significant.

Around 400 million active PCs cannot officially upgrade to Windows 11 because of TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, or supported processor requirements.

The free ESU extension gives these users until October 2027 to either buy new hardware or switch to an alternative operating system such as Linux.

The transition from Windows 10 has been one of Microsoft's most complicated in recent years. The operating system reached its end of support on October 14, 2025, after which Microsoft stopped providing technical support, feature updates, and standard security updates outside of the LTSC and ESU channels.

Microsoft has continued to promote upgrading to Windows 11 or new Copilot+ PCs, although adoption has been slower than expected.

The extension acknowledges that the upgrade process is taking longer than initially planned, especially for users whose hardware remains functional but does not meet Windows 11 requirements. The free ESU extension is now available.

Users with Windows 10 devices should ensure they are enrolled through the most suitable path to continue receiving security updates until October 12, 2027.

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