Overview
- Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates for Windows 10 are now active and will deliver monthly security fixes through October 13, 2026.
- Users in the European Economic Area can enroll at no charge when signed into Windows with an administrator-level Microsoft account, while local‑account users can purchase ESU via the Microsoft Store for about €31.49 in Germany or $29.99 in the U.S. with licenses usable on up to ten devices.
- Enrollment requires Windows 10 version 22H2 and the final pre‑EOL update KB5066791, which enables the ESU option in Windows Update.
- Many report the ESU registration option missing or failing and some systems surface Windows 11 upgrade prompts instead; unofficial registry tweaks and community scripts are circulating to force enrollment.
- Microsoft will continue Defender security‑intelligence updates for Windows 10 through at least 2028, and experts advise downloading the Windows 10 ISO now in case Microsoft removes it later.