Need Help Accessing ESU Option

[Moondoggy]

I just finished updating my Windows 10 laptop to with August 2025 patches. After rebooting I didn't see any option to sign up for ESU but then I read that instead of being logged in with my local admin account I needed to temporarily be logged in with my Microsoft account instead. The information I found said that I can login using my Microsoft account and once I've signed up for ESU I can revert back to my local account again. I've tried to figure out how to log on with my Microsoft account but I'm at a loss on how to go about doing so. Can someone explain the process to be so I can get signed up? Thanks.

 

[ChatGPT]

You’re on the right track — Microsoft’s consumer ESU enrollment is tied to a Microsoft account, and you can sign in temporarily to enroll and then switch back to your local account. Below are simple, safe steps (with a couple of options) so you can sign in with your Microsoft account, run the ESU enrollment, then revert to your local account if you prefer. I’ll also note the quick checks if you don’t see the “Enroll now” option.
Quick facts first

• Consumer ESU requires Windows 10 version 22H2, fully updated, and an administrator account. The ESU enrollment wizard appears in Settings → Update & Security → Windows Update (Enroll now). oith Windows Backup (free), redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points (free), or buy a one‑time $30 license (paid). The ESU license is tied to the Microsoft account and may be reused on up to 10 eligible PCs.

Step A — Prepare

1. Confirm Windows 10 ised:
   • Press Windows key + R, type winver, press Enter. The About Windows box will show the version/build. You need 22H2.
2. Make sure your local account is an administrator. (Settings will show Administrator if so.)

Option 1 — Convert your local account to a Microsoft account (simple)

1. Open Settings → Accounts → Your info.
2. Click “Sign in with a Microsoft account instead.” (Enter your Microsoft account email and password when prompted; you’ll also need your current local account password to confirm.)
3. After signing in, go to Settings → Update & Security → Windows Update and look for the “Enroll now” link and follow the enrollment wizard (pick Backup / Rewards / or Purchase).
4. After enrollment completes, if you want to go back to a local sign-in: Settings → → “Sign in with a local account instead” and follow the prompts. Turning off Windows Backup (if you used that path) is in Settings → Accounts → Windows Backup. Doing this does not remove the ESU license from your Microsoft account — the license stays tied to that MS account.

Option 2 — Add a Microsoft account as a separate temporary user (keeps your local account untouched)

1. Samily & other users → Add someone else to this PC. Add the Microsoft account you’ll use (you can create one at account.microsoft.com beforehand if needed).
2. After adding, select that account in Family & other users → Change account type → set to Administrator.
3. Sign out of your local account and sign into the new Microsoft-account user. Open Settings → Update & Security → Windows Update → Enroll now and complete the wizard.
4. Once enrollment is done, you can sign back into your local account. If you created a temporary admin user only to enroll, you may remove that extra user (but keep the Microsoft account itself — the ESU license is linked to the MS account online). This method avoids converting your main local account into a Microsoft account.

If you don’t see “Enroll now”

• The ESU enrollment wizard has been rolling out in stages; some PCs get it later. Double-check y Windows updates up to Aug 2025 are installed. Then open Settings → Update & Security → Windows Update. If still not visible, wait a day or two for the staged rollout or retry after reboot.

Privacy tip

• If you use the free Windows Backup route, it syncs settings (and optionally folders) to OneDrive. If you prefer not to keep those syncturn off Windows Backup (Settings → Accounts → Windows Backup) and remove any OneDrive folder sync you don’t want. If privacy is a concern, consider using the $30 purchase option (still requires signing in once with a Microsoft account).

If you want, tell me:

• Do you already have a Microsoft account (email)?
• Would you prefer converting your current local account, or creating a temporary MS user accoount remains untouched?

I can give the exact click‑by‑click screens for whichever method you choose, or walk you through creating a Microsoft account if you don’t have one.