Microsoft just dropped some pretty significant news about Windows 10 that could save you hundreds of dollars and give you peace of mind for another full year. Even though Windows 10 support officially ends on October 14, 2025, you can now get Extended Security Updates completely free through several different methods. But there’s a catch that might actually work in your favor.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the Windows 10 Extended Security Updates program, including two completely free enrollment options that most people don’t know about yet. Whether you’re staying on Windows 10 because your computer can’t run Windows 11, or you just need more time to plan your upgrade, this guide will help you make the best decision for your situation.
Key Takeaways
- Free ESU Options Available: Microsoft offers two completely free ways to get Extended Security Updates through Windows Backup or Microsoft Rewards points, plus a $30 paid option
- One Year Extension: The ESU program provides critical security updates from October 15, 2025 through October 13, 2026, giving you exactly one additional year of protection
- Version Requirements: You must be running Windows 10 version 22H2 to be eligible for any ESU enrollment option, and the program only covers security patches
Requirements
Before you can enroll in the Windows 10 Extended Security Updates program, make sure your system meets these requirements:
- Windows 10 version 22H2 (Home, Professional, Pro Education, or Workstation edition)
- Latest Windows updates installed
- Microsoft account with administrator privileges
- Microsoft account cannot be a child account
- Device cannot be in kiosk mode or joined to Active Directory domain
- Device cannot be enrolled in Mobile Device Management (MDM) solution
Why Get Windows 10 Extended Security Updates?
The Windows 10 Extended Security Updates program addresses a critical security gap that will affect over half a billion computers worldwide. According to StatCounter data, Windows 10 still maintains a 53.19% market share globally as of May 2025, with Windows 11 at 43%. This means hundreds of millions of computers would become vulnerable to security threats without ESU protection.
When Windows 10 support ends, Microsoft will no longer provide security updates, feature updates, or technical support. Your computer will continue to work, but it will become increasingly vulnerable to malware, cybersecurity attacks, and newly discovered security vulnerabilities. The ESU program provides a crucial safety net during your transition to Windows 11 or a new computer.
Understanding Windows 10 ESU Program Timeline
The Windows 10 Extended Security Updates program follows a specific timeline that you need to understand for planning purposes. Microsoft has set October 14, 2025 as the last day of regular Windows 10 support. The ESU program then begins on October 15, 2025 and continues through October 13, 2026, providing exactly one additional year of security coverage.
During this extended period, you’ll receive monthly critical and important security updates as defined by the Microsoft Security Response Center. However, the ESU program specifically excludes new features, non-security updates, design changes, and technical support.
Three Windows 10 ESU Enrollment Options Explained
Microsoft offers three distinct ways to enroll in the Extended Security Updates program, each with different requirements and benefits. Understanding these options will help you choose the best approach for your situation.
Option 1: Windows Backup Free Enrollment
The first and most popular free option involves using Windows Backup to sync your PC settings to Microsoft’s cloud. This method requires you to sign in with a Microsoft account and enable the Windows Backup feature, which synchronizes your desktop files, documents, pictures, and Windows settings to OneDrive.
To access Windows Backup settings:
- Go to Settings > Update & Security > Backup
- Sign in with your Microsoft account if prompted
- Enable Windows Backup synchronization
- Choose which files and settings to sync to OneDrive
Note: This option works particularly well if you already have Microsoft 365 or existing OneDrive storage, as you’re essentially getting free security updates for enabling a feature you might want anyway.
Option 2: Microsoft Rewards Points Free Enrollment
The second free option allows you to redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points for ESU access. Microsoft Rewards is a program that gives you points for using Bing searches, Xbox activities, and Microsoft Store purchases. According to recent information, you can earn 500 points just for downloading the Microsoft Rewards mobile app.
To earn Microsoft Rewards points:
- Sign up for Microsoft Rewards with your Microsoft account
- Complete daily search activities on Bing
- Take quizzes and complete offered tasks
- Download the Microsoft Rewards mobile app for bonus points
- Accumulate 1,000 points for ESU redemption
Option 3: $30 Paid ESU License
The third option involves a one-time payment of $30 USD (or local currency equivalent) for ESU access. While this isn’t free, it offers a significant advantage: you can use this single license on up to 10 different Windows 10 computers. For households or small businesses with multiple Windows 10 machines, this represents excellent value.
Important: The paid ESU option can be canceled anytime before October 14, 2025, and refunds follow Microsoft’s standard digital purchase policy.
ESU Enrollment Process and Availability
Microsoft is rolling out the ESU enrollment wizard in phases. Currently, the enrollment process is available to Windows Insiders, but broader availability is planned for July 2025, with full availability expected by mid-August 2025.
When the enrollment wizard becomes available for your computer, you’ll see notifications in Windows Update settings. The enrollment process is designed to be straightforward:
- Navigate to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update
- Look for the ESU enrollment notification
- Select your preferred enrollment method
- Follow the on-screen prompts to complete enrollment
- Restart your computer if required
Windows 10 Version 22H2 Requirements
A critical requirement for ESU enrollment is running Windows 10 version 22H2. If you’re running an older version like 21H2 or earlier, you must update to 22H2 before you can enroll in the Extended Security Updates program.
To check your Windows version:
- Go to Settings > System > About
- Look for the “Version” field
- Confirm it shows “22H2”
- If not, run Windows Update to get current
Tip: If you’re still on Windows 7 or Windows 8, the ESU program doesn’t apply to you. You’ll need to upgrade to Windows 10 22H2 or Windows 11 to maintain security support.
What ESU Security Updates Actually Include
It’s important to understand exactly what the Extended Security Updates program covers and what it doesn’t. ESU provides access to critical and important security updates as defined by the Microsoft Security Response Center, which includes patches for vulnerabilities that could allow malware infections, data breaches, or remote code execution.
ESU includes:
- Critical security patches for system vulnerabilities
- Important security updates for Windows components
- Monthly security rollups delivered through Windows Update
- Protection against newly discovered security threats
ESU does NOT include:
- New features or functionality
- Non-security updates or bug fixes
- Design changes or interface improvements
- Technical support from Microsoft
- Feature updates or major version changes
Should You Upgrade to Windows 11 Instead?
Before enrolling in the ESU program, you should seriously consider whether upgrading to Windows 11 makes more sense for your situation. Windows 11 offers years of ongoing support, new features, and enhanced security capabilities that go far beyond what ESU provides.
To check Windows 11 compatibility:
- Download Microsoft’s PC Health Check tool
- Run the compatibility assessment
- Review any hardware requirements that aren’t met
- Consider whether hardware upgrades are feasible
When to Choose Windows 11
Upgrade to Windows 11 if:
- Your computer meets all hardware requirements
- You want long-term support and new features
- You’re comfortable with the Windows 11 interface
- Your software is compatible with Windows 11
When to Choose ESU
Consider ESU if:
- Your computer doesn’t meet Windows 11 requirements
- You have software that doesn’t work on Windows 11
- You need time to plan a hardware upgrade
- You prefer the Windows 10 interface and workflow
Business vs Consumer ESU Pricing
Microsoft offers different pricing structures for business and consumer users. Individual consumers can access the free options through Windows Backup or Microsoft Rewards, while businesses face significantly higher costs.
For commercial organizations, Microsoft charges $61 per device for the first year of ESU, with increasing costs for subsequent years. Businesses can renew ESU annually for up to three years, but the pricing escalates each year. This makes the consumer free options particularly attractive for individual users and small businesses.
ESU Enrollment Timeline and Planning
One advantage of the ESU program is flexibility in enrollment timing. Microsoft allows enrollment anytime until the program ends in October 2026. This means you don’t need to decide immediately and can wait to see how the rollout progresses.
Strategic timing considerations:
- Wait for broad availability in August 2025 for smoother enrollment
- Enroll closer to October 2025 deadline if you’re still evaluating options
- Take advantage of early enrollment if you’re certain about staying on Windows 10
- Use the extra time to plan hardware upgrades or Windows 11 migration
Conclusion
The Windows 10 Extended Security Updates program represents a significant opportunity to maintain security protection while you transition to Windows 11 or plan your next computer purchase. With two completely free enrollment options available, most users can extend their Windows 10 security coverage without any additional cost.
My recommendation is straightforward: if your computer can run Windows 11, upgrade to Windows 11 for the best long-term support and security. If your computer can’t run Windows 11, definitely take advantage of the ESU program using either the Windows Backup free option or Microsoft Rewards points. Even the $30 paid option provides excellent value, especially if you have multiple Windows 10 computers.
Remember that ESU is designed as a temporary bridge, not a permanent solution. Use this additional year to plan your transition to Windows 11, research new computers, or evaluate your long-term computing needs. The security protection ESU provides is invaluable, but Windows 11 offers the best long-term security and feature support.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I enroll in Windows 10 ESU if I’m using a local account?
No, you must have a Microsoft account to enroll in any ESU option. The ESU license is tied to your Microsoft account, so you’ll be prompted to sign in with a Microsoft account during the enrollment process, even if you typically use a local account to sign into Windows.
What happens if I enroll in ESU but then upgrade to Windows 11?
Enrolling in ESU doesn’t prevent you from upgrading to Windows 11 later. If you upgrade to Windows 11 after enrolling in ESU, you’ll simply stop receiving the Windows 10 security updates since you’ll be on a fully supported operating system. If you paid for ESU, you won’t receive a refund for the unused portion.
Can I use the $30 ESU license on computers in different locations?
Yes, the $30 ESU license can be used on up to 10 different Windows 10 computers regardless of their location. Each computer must meet the eligibility requirements, including running Windows 10 version 22H2, but they don’t need to be in the same household or business.
Will Windows 10 ESU work on computers that can’t run Windows 11?
Absolutely! ESU is specifically designed for computers that can’t meet Windows 11 hardware requirements. As long as your computer runs Windows 10 version 22H2 and meets the other ESU eligibility criteria, you can enroll regardless of whether it can run Windows 11.
How will I know when ESU security updates are available?
ESU security updates will be delivered automatically through Windows Update just like regular Windows 10 updates. You’ll see them in your Windows Update history, and they’ll install during your normal update schedule. Microsoft will provide monthly security rollups throughout the ESU period from October 2025 through October 2026.
