Microsoft authoritatively closes back for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, meaning no more security patches, bug fixes, or include upgrades for most clients.
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After that date, utilizing Windows 10 regularly gets to be hazardous — any modern vulnerabilities that come up won’t be settled, taking off frameworks more uncovered.
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That’s why numerous media outlets are caution: time is running out.
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The “one trick” for a free one-year expansion: Windows 10 ESU (Expanded Security Updates)
Microsoft is advertising a way to amplify back for Windows 10 by one more year through its Amplified Security Upgrades (ESU) program.
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Here’s what the arrange is:
Enroll in ESU (for consumers)
Microsoft is permitting customer gadgets to select in ESU to get security upgrades past October 2025.
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Free choice (with conditions)
There is a “free” way to get your framework into ESU — but it requires you to back up certain information / match up your settings to Microsoft’s cloud (OneDrive / Microsoft account) — successfully exchanging protection / cloud utilize for zero taken a toll.
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Paid alternative or reward-points option
If you don’t need to match up your information, Microsoft moreover offers to let you pay (for illustration, around USD $30) or utilize Microsoft Remunerate focuses to enlist.
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Free in certain districts (no cloud requirement)
In a few districts (outstandingly in the European Financial Region, EEA), Microsoft has chosen that the ESU for another year will be free without requiring cloud match up or reinforcement.
Windows Central
So, basically, the trap is: sign up for ESU, utilizing Microsoft’s free choice (which includes syncing/backing up to the cloud), subsequently picking up another year of security overhauls past the end-of-support date.
How to do it (step by step) — what the media is reporting
These are the steps as depicted in later guides (from Tom’s Direct, Shacks, etc.):
Update your Windows 10 to most recent version
Make beyond any doubt your framework is completely up to date (all patches introduced) so that you are qualified.
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Use an chairman account / Microsoft account
Make beyond any doubt you are logged in with a Microsoft account (not fair a nearby account) and that account is an director.
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Go to Settings → Upgrade & Security → Windows Update
Microsoft is (or will be) appearing a take note such as “Windows 10 bolster closes in October 2025 — Select in ESU.” Beneath that, an “Enroll Now” connect shows up.
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Choose the free option
When going through the enrollment exchange, choose the reinforcement / match up choice. This permits Microsoft to amplify your overhauls without making you pay.
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Confirm / include device
A window will pop up to “Add this gadget to get Expanded Security Updates” or comparable wording. Press that and wrap up.
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Once done, your PC ought to proceed to get security upgrades beneath ESU for one more year.
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Key caveats, impediments, and territorial differences
Rollout not quick everywhere
Some clients report that the “Enroll Now” choice hasn’t showed up on their Windows Overhaul page however.
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Microsoft is steadily rolling this out, so timing seem depend on locale and gadget.
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Not all locales get the genuinely free version
Currently, the completely free ESU (without cloud match up necessity) is affirmed for EEA (European Financial Zone) as it were. Exterior that locale, the free alternative (which requires backing up settings to Microsoft’s cloud) is still in impact.
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Privacy / cloud tradeoff
The free alternative requires you to back up your settings/data (or match up them) to Microsoft’s cloud. If you don’t need that, you may require to pay or utilize a compensate focuses alternative.
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Eligibility / framework form constraints
Your gadget and form of Windows might require to meet certain prerequisites. A few clients have detailed they meet all the necessities but still don’t see the ESU alternative.
Microsoft Learn
Also, certain versions or equipment might carry on in an unexpected way.
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It’s fair a transitory extension
This “free one-year extension” is not inconclusive. It gives you additional time (until October 2026) to arrange your following move (update, relocate, etc.).
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What to do right presently (a checklist)
Because time is brief, here’s a prioritized activity list:
Check if your Windows appears the ESU “Enroll Now” option
Go to Settings → Overhaul & Security → Windows Update
See if there’s a pennant or take note around “Windows 10 bolster closes in October 2025” with an “Enroll Now” link.
If the alternative shows up, select immediately
Choose the free / reinforcement alternative if you’re affirm with cloud match up / backup
If that choice is unsatisfactory, consider paying or utilizing compensate focuses (in case available)
If the alternative doesn’t show up yet
Ensure your Windows 10 adaptation is completely up to date
Make beyond any doubt you are logged in with a Microsoft account with admin rights
Wait — Microsoft is still rolling this out in stages.
Decide what to do past one year
Use that additional year to plan:
Upgrade to Windows 11 (in the event that your equipment underpins it)
Switch OS (e.g. Linux)
Replace PC
Use third-party fixing administrations (a few autonomous devices fix vulnerabilities after conclusion of official support)
Backup your data
Always keep reinforcements. Indeed with ESU, there’s no ensure things will go easily.
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