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The deadline to upgrade to Windows 11 is nearly here, with support for Windows 10 ending on Oct. 14. If your PC isn’t compatible with the newer OS or if you’re not ready to upgrade, you have some options.
Last week, Microsoft confirmed in a statement to Windows Central that customers in the European Economic Area (EEA) will be eligible for free security updates for the next year. If you’re in the US, however, you’ll need to take action to extend your support through Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates (ESU) program.
The ESU program provides critical and important security updates for unsupported OSes, but does not include new features, bug fixes, or technical support. Initially, Microsoft planned to charge all users $30 to enroll in the ESU program and keep Windows 10, but it recently announced two free options.
How to Sign Up for Windows 10 Extended Security Updates
Previously limited to Insiders, the program is now open to all individual users with Windows 10 devices running 22H2. Look for an enrollment wizard through notifications and in Settings, Microsoft says. You can enroll in the ESU program after Oct. 14, 2025, but your computer will be unprotected, and Microsoft will only provide coverage through Oct. 13, 2026, for now.
Windows 10 users can get ESU through one of three available options.
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Cash in 1,000 points from Microsoft’s Rewards program; you earn points by using Microsoft’s services. Downloading the Bing app alone, for example, gets you 500 points.
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Sync your Windows Backup to Microsoft OneDrive. While Microsoft won’t charge you anything extra for picking this option, you might need to buy extra OneDrive storage to fit your backup. By default, you only get 5GB for free.
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The third option is the original one: pay $30 to receive critical updates for one year.
Should You Upgrade or Stick With Windows 10?
Stricter hardware requirements for Windows 11 mean some Windows 10 users can’t upgrade their aging PCs to the newest OS. There’s a workaround, though Microsoft doesn’t (officially) support it. If you’re looking for an affordable Windows 11 PC, we have a few suggestions.
The good news for Windows 10 users, however, is that they can continue using Office apps (Microsoft 365) for three additional years. But even during this period, they will only receive security updates instead of new features, bug fixes, or comprehensive tech support.
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About Our Expert
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Jibin is a tech news writer based out of Ahmedabad, India. Previously, he served as the editor of iGeeksBlog and is a self-proclaimed tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex information for a broader audience.
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