Windows 10 ESU 2026: Enroll for Security Updates Before Oct 14, 2025 Cutoff

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Windows 10 users facing the October 14, 2025 end-of-support deadline have one practical lifeline: Microsoft’s consumer Extended Security Updates (ESU) program can keep eligible machines receiving critical and important security patches through October 13, 2026 — but enrollment is time-sensitive, gated by specific technical requirements, and comes with meaningful privacy and operational trade-offs. (support.microsoft.com)

Background / Overview​

Microsoft set a firm end-of-support date for Windows 10: October 14, 2025. After that date, consumer Windows 10 Home, Pro, Pro Education, and Workstation editions will stop receiving routine feature updates, quality updates, and general technical support unless the device is enrolled in a supported post‑EOL program. Microsoft’s official lifecycle pages and ESU documentation explain the transition and enumerate the consumer ESU options. (support.microsoft.com)
Because a large installed base remains on Windows 10, Microsoft created a consumer-facing ESU pathway that offers one additional year of security-only updates — through October 13, 2026 — to eligible machines running Windows 10, version 22H2. Enrollment is offered inside Settings → Update & Security → Windows Update and presents three consumer enrollment routes: a free OneDrive/Windows Backup route, a Microsoft Rewards redemption, or a one-time purchase. The ESU program is explicitly security-only: no feature updates, no broad technical support, and no performance improvements are included. (support.microsoft.com)

What the VOI.ID item said — and what’s accurate​

  • The VOI.ID article summarized the same core facts: Windows 10 support ends on October 14, 2025; hundreds of millions of devices remain on Windows 10; Microsoft offers a one‑year extension via ESU; and users must act before the deadline. That account aligns with Microsoft’s published guidance.
  • VOI.ID reported that Microsoft initially planned to charge $30 for the extension but then “refused” because of criticism. That specific phrasing is misleading. Microsoft’s consumer ESU page documents a one-time purchase option of $30 (USD or local equivalent) plus applicable tax as one of three enrollment choices; Microsoft did not abandon the paid option — rather it also provided free and rewards-based enrollment routes. Treat claims that Microsoft “refused” the fee as unverified unless tied to an explicit Microsoft statement retracting the price. (support.microsoft.com)
  • VOI.ID advised installing an August 2025 update (KB5063709) so the enrollment UI appears — that is correct. The August cumulative update fixed enrollment‑wizard issues and is a prerequisite to a reliable enrollment experience. (support.microsoft.com)

Who is eligible — precise prerequisites​

Eligibility is narrower than a simple “any Windows 10 PC.” Before attempting to enroll, confirm the device meets all of these conditions:
  • The device must be running Windows 10, version 22H2 (Home, Pro, Pro Education, or Workstation). Older branches are not eligible for consumer ESU. (support.microsoft.com)
  • All latest cumulative updates must be installed — in particular, the August 12, 2025 cumulative (KB5063709) or later is required to fix known enrollment-wizard issues and make the ESU enrollment prompt appear reliably. (support.microsoft.com)
  • The user must be signed in with a Microsoft account (MSA) that is an administrator on the device. Local accounts are not eligible for consumer ESU enrollment, even if a paid option is chosen. (support.microsoft.com)
  • Devices joined to Active Directory, Entra‑joined devices (except Entra‑registered), kiosk-mode devices, or devices managed by MDM are excluded from the consumer ESU flow and must use enterprise channels instead. (support.microsoft.com)
Important behavioral note: the ESU license is tied to the MS account used for enrollment and can be applied across multiple devices (Microsoft’s guidance allows using an ESU license on up to 10 devices tied to the same account in the consumer flow). (support.microsoft.com)

Exactly what ESU delivers — and what it does not​

  • What you get: Critical and Important security updates from the Microsoft Security Response Center (MSRC) classification stream, delivered through Windows Update for the enrollment window (consumer ESU coverage ends October 13, 2026). These updates target security vulnerabilities that would otherwise go unpatched on unsupported Windows 10 systems. (learn.microsoft.com)
  • What you do NOT get:
  • No feature updates or functional enhancements.
  • No broad, customer-requested non-security quality fixes or performance improvements.
  • No general technical support; Microsoft’s support scope is limited to licensing/activation and ESU-related issues.
  • No guarantees after the ESU window ends — for consumers that is October 13, 2026. (learn.microsoft.com)
This makes ESU a timeboxed security bridge rather than a long-term support plan. Treat it as a stopgap while planning and executing a migration strategy.

How to enroll — step-by-step (do this before October 14, 2025)​

  • Verify Windows version: Settings → System → About → confirm Windows 10, version 22H2.
  • Install all pending Windows updates, especially KB5063709 (August 12, 2025 cumulative) or later; reboot. (support.microsoft.com)
  • Sign in to Windows with a Microsoft account that has administrator rights (local accounts will prompt for an MSA or will not be eligible). (support.microsoft.com)
  • Open Settings → Update & Security → Windows Update. Look for the “Windows 10 support ends in October 2025” banner or an Enroll now link. If present, click Enroll now. (support.microsoft.com)
  • When the enrollment wizard appears, choose one of three routes:
  • Free: Enable Windows Backup to sync PC settings to OneDrive (this grants free ESU enrollment).
  • Microsoft Rewards: Redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points for ESU enrollment.
  • Paid: Make a one‑time purchase (reported at $30 USD or local currency equivalent, plus tax). (support.microsoft.com)
  • Confirm enrollment and reboot if prompted. The device should then receive ESU-class security updates via Windows Update. (support.microsoft.com)
If the enrollment option does not appear immediately, ensure KB5063709 is installed and allow a short rollout period — Microsoft is enabling the consumer enrollment wizard in a phased rollout and some devices will get the option later. (learn.microsoft.com)

Practical implications, privacy and security trade-offs​

  • Privacy trade-off: the free enrollment route requires syncing PC settings to a Microsoft account and OneDrive backup. This ties device enrollment and licensing to cloud services and a Microsoft identity, which many privacy‑minded users may find undesirable. That requirement is enforced even for paid enrollment. (support.microsoft.com)
  • Security scope: ESU covers only the OS-level security updates designated Critical/Important. It reduces risk from newly discovered kernel and platform vulnerabilities, but it does not substitute for modern features or OS architectural improvements. Relying on ESU long-term delays inevitable compatibility and security gaps. (learn.microsoft.com)
  • Application/runtime support nuance: Some runtime components, notably Microsoft Edge and the WebView2 runtime, will continue to receive updates on Windows 10 for an extended window independent of OS ESU — but maintaining an updated browser is only a partial mitigation; kernel, driver, and firmware fixes still require ESU to be safe. Do not assume a modern browser alone keeps a machine secure after the OS reaches EOL. (learn.microsoft.com)
  • Operational risk: Devices excluded from the consumer ESU flow (domain-joined, MDM-managed, kiosk, enterprise scenarios) must use commercial ESU licensing or migration; relying on consumer ESU for mixed environments risks inconsistent coverage and compliance gaps. (support.microsoft.com)

Costs and options — what to expect financially​

  • The consumer ESU offers three enrollment methods:
  • Free by enabling Windows Backup (OneDrive), which is functionally identical in coverage to paid enrollment for the one-year window.
  • Microsoft Rewards: redeem 1,000 points per device.
  • One-time purchase: around $30 USD per license (local currency equivalent plus tax). Microsoft documentation presents the paid option as an enrollment route rather than a mandatory fee — the free and rewards routes show Microsoft intentionally provided alternatives. (support.microsoft.com)
  • For organizations, commercial ESU licenses (volume licensing) remain available and can extend coverage for up to three years after October 14, 2025, but pricing and mechanics differ materially from the consumer flow. Enterprise ESU is typically purchased per device with year-over-year price increases and licensing rules. (learn.microsoft.com)

Migration planning — use ESU as a bridge, not a destination​

For users and small organizations that must remain on Windows 10 temporarily, ESU buys predictable time. Use that time to execute a phased migration plan:
  • Inventory hardware and software:
  • Identify machines that meet Windows 11 hardware requirements vs those that do not.
  • Prioritize devices with sensitive data, regulatory obligations, or outward network access for immediate migration.
  • Plan upgrade paths:
  • For eligible PCs, test Windows 11 upgrades on representative devices before mass deployment.
  • For incompatible PCs, evaluate upgrades to new hardware or alternative OS choices (ChromeOS Flex, mainstream Linux distributions) where feasible.
  • Backup and recovery:
  • Ensure reliable backups (full image + user data) before performing upgrades or migrations.
  • Security hardening:
  • Apply endpoint protection, network segmentation, and stronger authentication (MFA) on devices that will remain on Windows 10 even with ESU enrolled.
  • Compliance and documentation:
  • Record ESU enrollment status and devise sunset dates for each device to avoid drift and unmanaged long-term risk.
Treat the ESU year as a scheduling window to complete these steps in a controlled, auditable manner.

Common problems and troubleshooting​

  • Enrollment link missing: most common cause is missing the August 2025 cumulative (KB5063709) or not being on Windows 10 version 22H2. Install updates and reboot; the enrollment wizard appears in a staged rollout, so some devices will see it sooner than others. (support.microsoft.com)
  • Local account users: if Windows is currently signed in with a local account, the enrollment wizard will prompt for a Microsoft account during the process. Convert or sign in with an MSA (administrator) to enroll. (support.microsoft.com)
  • Domain-joined / MDM-managed devices: these do not appear in the consumer enrollment flow. Enterprises should follow volume-license ESU channels. (learn.microsoft.com)
  • Conflicting guidance in media: some news stories condensed the ESU timeline or conflated OS and app/runtime support windows (e.g., Edge/WebView2 and Microsoft 365 Apps). Always verify against Microsoft’s official ESU and lifecycle pages for the authoritative timeline. (support.microsoft.com)

Strengths and benefits of the consumer ESU plan​

  • A defined, Microsoft‑supported security bridge for consumers who cannot immediately upgrade hardware or move to Windows 11. This reduces immediate exposure to critical vulnerabilities. (learn.microsoft.com)
  • Multiple enrollment paths including a free option (Windows Backup) and Microsoft Rewards, which reduces friction and monetary barriers for households and small users. (support.microsoft.com)
  • Clear scope and timeline (one year for consumers) gives organizations and individuals a predictable planning horizon to schedule upgrades or replacement purchases. (learn.microsoft.com)

Risks, limitations and critical cautions​

  • One‑year limit for consumers: ESU is explicitly time-limited through October 13, 2026; it is not a permanent or renewable consumer-level solution. For long-term coverage, enterprise channels (purchased ESU via volume licensing) are the path, but they cost more and follow different rules. (learn.microsoft.com)
  • Privacy and account coupling: free enrollment requires a Microsoft account and cloud backups — this is a trade-off between convenience/cost and data sovereignty or privacy concerns. Users unwilling to link devices to an MSA must weigh alternatives (upgrade, new hardware, or migration to another OS). (tomshardware.com)
  • Not a replacement for modernization: ESU only patches the immediate security surface. Over time, lack of feature updates and OS-level improvements will create compatibility and performance gaps that ESU cannot fix. (learn.microsoft.com)
  • Potential misreporting in some outlets: some coverage blurred the distinction between OS-level ESU (2026), extended app/runtime servicing (Edge/WebView2, Microsoft 365 Apps) and multi-year enterprise ESU (up to 2028). Always match a claim to Microsoft’s lifecycle documentation to avoid mistaken assumptions about how long specific components remain updated. (learn.microsoft.com)

Quick checklist: what to do today​

  • Confirm Windows edition and build: ensure Windows 10, version 22H2.
  • Install ALL pending updates, especially KB5063709 (August 2025 cumulative) or later. (support.microsoft.com)
  • Sign in with a Microsoft account that has admin rights. (support.microsoft.com)
  • Go to Settings → Update & Security → Windows Update and look for Enroll now before October 14, 2025. (support.microsoft.com)
  • Back up data and start a migration plan even if enrolling — ESU is a bridge, not the endpoint.

Conclusion​

Microsoft’s consumer ESU program gives Windows 10 users a concrete, time‑boxed way to keep receiving security updates through October 13, 2026, but it does so on strict terms: devices must run Windows 10 version 22H2, have the August 2025 cumulative (KB5063709) applied, and be tied to a Microsoft account for enrollment. The program’s free and rewards‑based enrollment routes reduce monetary friction, but they increase cloud coupling and privacy trade-offs. ESU should be treated as a tactical window to complete a migration plan — not as a long-term strategy. Confirm eligibility, install required updates, enroll before the October 14, 2025 cutoff, and use the additional year to migrate devices or replace unsupported hardware in a controlled, secure way. (support.microsoft.com)
Source: VOI.ID Don't Be Late, This Is How To Extend Windows Support 10 To 2026
 
Click to expand...
Windows 10 will reach its official end-of-support on October 14, 2025 — but Microsoft has built a narrowly scoped, one-year Extended Security Updates (ESU) escape hatch that lets many consumers continue receiving security-only patches through October 13, 2026 if they enroll before the deadline. The pathway is straightforward but strict: eligible devices must be on Windows 10, version 22H2, fully updated (including the August 12, 2025 cumulative that contains KB5063709), and enrolled using a Microsoft Account via the in‑product ESU wizard — and enrollment choices include a free cloud-backed option, a Microsoft Rewards option, or a paid option that covers multiple devices tied to the same account.

Background / Overview​

Windows 10 shipped in 2015 and has been maintained for a decade. Microsoft set a firm end-of-support (EoS) date: October 14, 2025. After that date the OS will no longer receive regular feature updates, quality updates, or routine security fixes unless the device is enrolled in one of the supported extension paths. For consumers Microsoft published a limited ESU path intended as a short-term bridge that delivers only security updates designated as Critical or Important by Microsoft’s Security Response Center. The consumer ESU window runs from October 15, 2025 through October 13, 2026.
Microsoft’s consumer ESU differs from enterprise ESU (which historically could be purchased on a per-year, per-device basis for multiple years): the consumer route is intentionally time-limited (one year), tied to a Microsoft Account in most cases, and offers both free and paid enrollment methods geared toward households and individual users. The company also kept app/runtime servicing windows separate: certain Microsoft 365 apps, Edge/WebView2 and related components have extended servicing timelines beyond the OS window — an important nuance when assessing overall exposure.

What Microsoft actually announced — the essentials​

  • End of mainstream updates for Windows 10: October 14, 2025. After this date the OS will still run, but Microsoft’s normal stream of free security and feature updates ends.
  • Consumer ESU coverage window: October 15, 2025 → October 13, 2026 (security-only updates).
  • Eligibility: Consumer ESU is limited to Windows 10, version 22H2 (Home, Pro, Pro Education, Workstation), fully patched. Domain-joined or enterprise-managed devices must follow enterprise ESU channels.
  • Enrollment methods (consumer):
  • Free: enable Windows Backup (sync settings to OneDrive) while signed into a Microsoft Account.
  • Free (no cash): redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points.
  • Paid: one-time purchase (~$30 USD; local prices may vary) covering eligible devices tied to the same Microsoft Account (subject to limits).
  • Required update: Install the August 12, 2025 cumulative update (builds 19045.6216 / 19044.6216 — KB5063709) to enable and stabilize the ESU enrollment wizard and to ensure the enrollment option appears.
These are the verified, concrete points every Windows 10 user needs to understand before taking action.

Why Microsoft offered ESU to consumers — the context​

Microsoft’s move reflects a balance between two realities: a portion of the Windows 10 install base can’t easily move to Windows 11 because of stricter hardware requirements (TPM, Secure Boot, CPU support lists), and security risk from abrupt EoS would be unacceptable to many households. ESU provides a short, predictable runway so users can safely plan upgrades, virtualize, or replace hardware without being immediately exposed to unpatched critical vulnerabilities. It’s designed as a temporary, security-first bridge — not a continuation of full platform support.
That one-year extension also nudges users toward Microsoft’s longer-term strategy: upgrade to Windows 11 where feasible, consider Copilot+ PCs and Windows 365 (cloud-hosted Windows), or budget for hardware refreshes. Enterprises retain a multi-year paid path via volume licensing, while consumers get a tightly framed safety valve.

Step-by-step: How to extend Windows 10 support to 2026 (consumer ESU enrollment)​

Follow these steps carefully — the enrollment window is time-sensitive and some steps are gating requirements.

Preconditions (what to check first)​

  • Confirm your device runs Windows 10, version 22H2. (Settings → System → About). Devices running older Windows 10 branches are not eligible.
  • Install all pending cumulative updates. Ensure the August 12, 2025 cumulative (KB5063709) or a later cumulative update is applied — this update fixes known ESU enrollment wizard issues and is required for the "Enroll now" option to appear reliably.
  • Sign into Windows using a Microsoft Account (MSA) with administrator rights. The free cloud-based route and enrollment tracking require an MSA; local accounts are not accepted for consumer ESU enrollment.

Enrollment steps (in order)​

  • Install Windows updates and reboot until Windows Update shows no pending important updates. KB5063709 must be present if your device received the August 2025 cumulative.
  • Sign in with a Microsoft Account that you will use for enrollment and which will be linked to any ESU entitlement.
  • Open Settings → Update & Security → Windows Update. Look for a banner that includes “Windows 10 support ends in October 2025” or an Enroll now button for Extended Security Updates. If it does not appear, re-check your updates (KB5063709) and reboot. Rollouts are staged; the option may appear on some devices earlier than others.
  • Launch the enrollment wizard and choose one of the three options:
  • Enable Windows Backup (free): the wizard walks you through turning on Windows Backup/settings sync to OneDrive. Once completed and verified, ESU registration is attached to the Microsoft Account.
  • Redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards: if you already have points, follow the wizard’s steps to redeem for ESU.
  • Pay for ESU (~$30): complete the one-time transaction. The paid entitlement can cover multiple devices tied to the same MSA (subject to Microsoft’s device limits shown during purchase).
  • After enrollment, Windows Update will continue to deliver Critical and Important security updates during the ESU coverage window. Enrollment status should be visible in Settings → Windows Update.

Troubleshooting if the enrollment option is missing​

  • Verify KB5063709 (install date / build number) and that you are on version 22H2.
  • Reboot and sign out/in with your Microsoft Account.
  • If the wizard crashes or the enrollment fails, ensure you’ve applied the August 2025 cumulative and related servicing stack updates — Microsoft’s cumulative KB includes fixes for enrollment wizard stability. If problems persist, try enrolling from another eligible PC using the same Microsoft Account and then check the device status.

What ESU gives you — and what it deliberately does not​

What you get​

  • Security updates classified as Critical or Important by Microsoft’s Security Response Center, delivered through Windows Update during the one-year coverage window. This mitigates exposure to new, serious vulnerabilities discovered after EoS.

What you do not get​

  • No feature updates or performance improvements. ESU is security-only.
  • No general technical support beyond ESU activation guidance — ESU does not replace a support contract or enterprise-level servicing.
  • No guarantees about long-term driver or firmware updates from device manufacturers; hardware vendors may cease driver updates for older platforms.
This design keeps ESU narrowly focused as a migration runway — useful, but intentionally limited.

Privacy, billing and account trade-offs — what to watch for​

  • The free ESU route ties your device to a Microsoft Account and OneDrive sync. That means some personal settings and selective folders will be backed up to Microsoft’s cloud as part of the enrollment condition. Users concerned about cloud backups, data sovereignty, or corporate policies must weigh this trade-off.
  • The Rewards route requires you to have or to acquire Microsoft Rewards points (1000 points). This is a no-cash path but involves ongoing engagement with Microsoft services to accumulate points if you don’t already have them.
  • The paid route is straightforward but billed individually (approximately $30 USD; local pricing shown during the wizard). Microsoft’s purchase flow notes device limits (how many devices a single purchase can cover) during checkout.
In short: free is possible but not anonymous — enrollment is coupled with account and cloud expectations.

Pitfalls, technical risks, and real-world issues​

  • One-year limit for consumers: ESU is strictly time-limited through October 13, 2026. There is no consumer-facing multi-year renewal path like enterprise volume licensing; the consumer ESU is temporary. Treat it as a migration window, not a permanent solution.
  • Not all devices qualify: Enterprise-managed, domain-joined, kiosk-mode, MDM-managed, or non-22H2 devices are excluded from the consumer wizard and must use enterprise ESU or other migration methods.
  • Potential update side effects: Large cumulative updates can create regressions — the August 2025 cumulative (KB5063709) fixed the enrollment wizard but also coincided with reports of streaming performance issues for some users using capture/NDI software. Stay alert for known issues after installing large updates and review Microsoft’s release notes.
  • Software and driver compatibility will erode over time: Even with ESU, lack of feature and driver updates will create compatibility gaps with new applications and peripherals. ESU does not stop the natural lifecycle problems of aging OSes.
  • Privacy considerations: If you decline cloud sync or the Microsoft Account requirement, the free route is not available and you face either paying for ESU or migrating off Windows 10.

Alternatives and the migration playbook​

If ESU is not appealing or not allowed by policy, consider these alternatives:
  • Upgrade to Windows 11 (if eligible): Microsoft’s free upgrade path is available for eligible Windows 10 devices that meet minimum hardware requirements. Use the PC Health Check app to confirm eligibility. If compatible, this is the recommended long-term path.
  • Buy a new Windows 11 PC: Often preferred for older hardware that fails the TPM/Secure Boot or CPU checks. Budget planning now reduces last-minute emergency purchases later.
  • Use Windows 365 / Cloud PC: For users or organizations that prefer not to change local hardware, Windows 365 lets you run a cloud-hosted Windows instance with continued Microsoft servicing. Some cloud scenarios automatically receive ESU-like updates via the host environment.
  • Switch to Linux / ChromeOS Flex: For older hardware where Windows 11 is not possible and ESU is not desirable, modern Linux distributions or ChromeOS Flex can restore usability and security for basic tasks — but they require app compatibility testing and user education.
  • Virtualize legacy apps: Run Windows 10 in a VM on newer hardware or in a cloud VM; this isolates legacy applications while keeping the host OS up to date. Useful for specific line-of-business workloads.
Use the ESU window (if chosen) to test and complete a migration plan — don’t treat it as indefinite relief.

Practical checklist for households and small businesses (do this now)​

  • Confirm your Windows version is 22H2 and install all pending updates (KB5063709 or later).
  • Back up critical data externally (external drive + cloud). ESU covers security patches but not data rescue.
  • Sign in with or create a Microsoft Account to be used for enrollment (if you plan to use the free route).
  • Open Settings → Update & Security → Windows Update and look for the Enroll now ESU wizard. If you don’t see it, verify KB5063709 is installed and that you are on 22H2.
  • Choose enrollment path (Windows Backup / Rewards / Paid) and complete the wizard before October 14, 2025.
  • Use the extra year to test Windows 11 compatibility, prepare a hardware refresh plan, migrate data, and finalize replacements or virtualization strategies.

Common misconceptions and unverifiable claims — a reality check​

  • Headlines quoting large absolute user counts (for example, fixed “200–400 million users”) are estimates and vary by data source. Market-share trackers and analyst estimates differ month-to-month; the safest, verifiable metric is the official support timelines and enrollment mechanics published by Microsoft. Treat any raw user-count claims as rough estimates unless backed by vendor-validated telemetry.
  • Another misunderstanding is conflating extended servicing for certain apps (Microsoft 365 Apps, Edge/WebView2) with OS-level ESU; those app-level servicing promises reduce some risks for users but do not extend Windows 10 OS support beyond the ESU window. Read Microsoft’s lifecycle pages carefully when planning.
When in doubt, match claims to Microsoft’s lifecycle and ESU documentation — that is the authoritative baseline.

Final analysis: the strengths and the risks of Microsoft’s consumer ESU plan​

Notable strengths​

  • A practical safety valve: ESU offers a predictable, Microsoft-supported mechanism to receive critical security updates for one year after EoS. This reduces immediate exposure for users who cannot or will not move to Windows 11 before October 14, 2025.
  • Multiple enrollment paths: By providing both free and paid enrollment methods, Microsoft lowers monetary barriers while still nudging cloud adoption and account sign-in behaviors that tie customers into modern servicing models.
  • Clear scope and timeline: The one-year window gives a hard planning horizon for migrations and avoids indefinite, ambiguous “extended support” promises.

Potential risks​

  • Privacy and cloud trade-offs: The free path requires Windows Backup and a Microsoft Account, which for privacy-conscious users or corporate policies may be unacceptable.
  • False sense of permanence: ESU is intentionally short; relying on it as a long-term strategy invites future security and compatibility debt.
  • Rollout and update fragility: Enrollment depends on a specific cumulative update (KB5063709). While that update fixed enrollment bugs, cumulative updates can cause regressions in some workflows — plan for testing and recovery options.
In balance, consumer ESU is a reasonable, pragmatic compromise — but only if used deliberately and as a migration runway, not as indefinite relief.

Conclusion — what to do next (recommended plan)​

  • Immediately verify that your device is on Windows 10 version 22H2 and install all pending updates (including KB5063709 or later).
  • Decide your enrollment path (Windows Backup + MSA is the cheapest/easiest if acceptable). Enroll before October 14, 2025 using Settings → Update & Security → Windows Update → Enroll now.
  • Use the ESU year to test Windows 11 on your device (PC Health Check), budget for an upgrade or replacement, or move essential workloads into a VM/Cloud PC.
  • Archive a verified Windows 10 ISO and your recovery media now — this preserves reinstall options should you need them in the future.
Time is the single critical resource here: if you want the one-year ESU safety net, act before October 14, 2025. The mechanics are simple but strict — one update (KB5063709), one Microsoft Account requirement, and an enrollment action. Use the year that follows to move decisively to a long-term, fully supported platform.
Source: VOI.ID Don't Be Late, This Is How To Extend Windows Support 10 To 2026
 
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