Windows 10 end of support extended for home users. Eligible PCs can enroll in Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates program and get critical and important security fixes through October 12, 2027. A PC that does nothing keeps running, but it stops getting security updates.
Microsoft ended regular Windows 10 support on October 14, 2025. The extra time is a bridge, not a fix. This guide covers who qualifies, how signing up works, what happens if you skip it, and what to do before the dates run out.
This is general information, not tech advice. Microsoft sets the rules and can change them, so check its pages before you act.
Windows 10 end of support extended: the basics
The extension is called Extended Security Updates, or ESU. Microsoft’s consumer ESU page says it gives enrolled PCs critical and important security updates through October 12, 2027.
The key word is security. According to Microsoft, ESU does not include feature improvements, fixes that are not about security, or technical support. The one exception is help with signing up and installing the update.
Apps run on their own clock. Microsoft’s end of support page says Microsoft 365 apps keep getting security updates on Windows 10 until October 10, 2028. The same page recommends upgrading to Windows 11 to avoid performance and reliability issues over time.
Who can get it
Microsoft says anyone using Windows 10 version 22H2 for personal use can qualify. That includes the Home, Pro, Pro Education and Workstations editions. To see your version, open Settings, then System, then About.
Microsoft’s ESU page lists a few more conditions:
- Windows is fully up to date.
- You sign in with a Microsoft account that is an administrator on the PC. A child account will not work.
- The PC is not in kiosk mode, joined to a work or school domain, or managed by a device management system.
- The PC does not already have an ESU license.
PCs run by an organization are left out, and details can differ by region. Microsoft names the European Economic Area as one example, so read its page for your country.
How to enroll
Signing up takes a few minutes. Microsoft describes the steps like this:
- Open Settings, then Update & Security, then Windows Update.
- Select Enroll now.
- If you use a local account, sign in with a Microsoft account when asked.
- Pick an enrollment option and finish the steps.
Microsoft lists three options: sync your PC settings, redeem Microsoft Rewards points, or make a one-time purchase. The options and any cost can vary by region, so read the exact terms on Microsoft’s page before you choose. One ESU license can cover up to 10 PCs, which helps if you look after a few machines at home.
Do not see an Enroll now button? Microsoft says the option shows up only on PCs that meet every condition above. Check the list, starting with the version number and the account type.
Late sign-up is allowed. You can enroll any time before the program ends. Coverage still stops on October 12, 2027, though, and the PC is more exposed until you enroll.
What happens if you do nothing
Your PC will not stop working. Microsoft says a PC that stays on Windows 10 without ESU keeps running, but it gets no feature updates, quality updates or security fixes. Microsoft also no longer provides technical support for it.
Microsoft warns that such a PC becomes “more vulnerable and susceptible to viruses and malware.” If your PC handles email, banking or shopping, security updates are the piece worth keeping.
Back up your files first
Whatever you choose, make a backup before you change anything. It takes the stress out of every step that follows.
Start with what Windows offers. Microsoft’s support page for Windows Backup says it can save your Desktop, Documents, Pictures, Videos and Music folders to OneDrive, along with some settings. You need a personal Microsoft account to use it, and a free Microsoft account includes 5 GB of OneDrive storage, so a big photo library may need more room. Check that page to see if your version of Windows supports it.
Some people also want a separate copy of the whole PC. AOMEI Backupper is one option. Our AOMEI page describes it as a backup and restore tool for Windows that can cover the system, chosen files or a whole disk, and it mentions scheduled backups.
A backup does not stop attacks. It gives you a way to get your files back if an update, a move to Windows 11 or a failing drive goes wrong.
Stay, upgrade or replace?
Your next step depends on what the PC can do. The table sums up the common cases.
| Your situation | What it means | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Your PC can run Windows 11 | A move gets you regular updates again | Back up, then upgrade when Windows Update offers it |
| Your PC cannot run Windows 11 | ESU can cover security fixes until October 12, 2027 | Enroll, then plan a replacement before that date |
| Work or school manages your PC | Consumer ESU does not apply | Ask your IT team |
| You do nothing | No security updates and no support | Back up, then set a date to decide |
ESU is time limited, and enrolling late does not add days. If you plan to replace the PC, aim to finish well before October 12, 2027, so you are not rushing a move or a purchase near the deadline.
If you share a PC with family, tell the other users about the dates too. The person who signs in to enroll needs to be an administrator, but everyone who uses the PC is affected by what happens to its updates.
FAQ
Is Windows 10 still getting updates?
Only if the PC is enrolled in ESU, and then only security updates. Microsoft says those run through October 12, 2027. A PC that is not enrolled gets no security updates, feature updates or quality updates.
Does the extension cost anything?
Microsoft lists three enrollment options, including one that adds no extra cost if you sync your PC settings. The options and any price can vary by region, so read Microsoft’s ESU page for the terms that apply to you.
Can I enroll late?
Yes. Microsoft allows enrollment until the program ends, but coverage still stops on October 12, 2027. Waiting also leaves the PC without security updates in the meantime, so enrolling sooner is the safer move for most home users.
Will my apps stop working?
No. Windows 10 keeps running, and Microsoft says Microsoft 365 apps get security updates on Windows 10 until October 10, 2028. Microsoft still suggests moving to Windows 11 over time to avoid performance and reliability problems.
The short version
Check that your PC qualifies, enroll if it does, back up your files, and decide on Windows 11 or a replacement before October 12, 2027. If you do nothing, the PC keeps running but stops getting security fixes.
