Windows 10 Security Updates Until 2027: How to Enroll in ESU
If your computer is still using Windows 10, then you have likely learned that the countdown clock was reset. Windows 10’s final official support ended on October 14, 2025, which means Microsoft no longer provides security updates. However, here comes the twist – Microsoft extended its Extended Security Update program and will support it until October 2027 – giving millions of users a much longer period than initially expected.
If you are planning on using your current computer and not upgrading to a newer one or to Windows 11, then this is definitely great news for you. However, there are certain rules that come with that, a certain enrollment process, and certain information that you should know about. Here is everything about Windows 10 ESU 2027 and how to enroll in it.
What Is Windows 10 ESU, Really?
ESU is an abbreviation for Extended Security Updates. It means that Microsoft will no longer develop new features for the particular operating system but will still offer fixes for all vulnerabilities. The ESU program used to be created exclusively for large corporations that could afford to pay enterprise prices to keep their fleet of computers safe longer. However, this time Microsoft has launched the ESU program for regular consumers.
The global ESU program for consumers will run until October 12, 2027. It offers critical and important security updates via Windows Update but no longer supports any features and does not make Windows 10 a long-term supported platform. It means that consumers cannot continue using their old version and expect to get all the updates.
Psychologically, this is how most of the consumers trick themselves: they see that their computer starts up, loads the browser, and allows sending emails. But in reality, Microsoft itself warns that the devices become more vulnerable and susceptible to viruses and malware even before the enrollment.
Why Microsoft Extended the Deadline
It wasn’t a decision that was planned; it was merely a reaction to the truth. Hundreds of millions of Windows 10 PCs are still out there, and quite a significant percentage cannot be upgraded to Windows 11 due to hardware changes such as the need for TPM 2.0. The higher cost of PCs as a result of the continuing RAM shortage means that those who are upgrading working PCs is difficult.
Thus, it is better to give people more time to get ready rather than compel them to update when they simply do not have the money at this particular point in time. It is an understandable move, but it’s a temporary one; October 2027 will be here sooner than people think.
Who Is Eligible for Windows 10 ESU 2027
Before you get too excited, let’s go through some prerequisites. The eligibility criteria include Windows 10, build 22H2, on an eligible consumer device. If you have an earlier build, then you’ll have to update to 22H2 before being able to enroll for ESU. It is likely that most computers that have been getting updates for the last few years now are eligible, but it never hurts to double-check.
How to Enroll in ESU (Step by Step)
Enrollment itself is simple, but you have a few different ways to enroll depending on where you’re located and how you’d like to pay.
First, open Settings and then go to Update & Security (or Windows Update, if you are running a different build).
Select the notice of the end date of support and choose Enroll now.
Here you have several options for enrollment:
- Free, using PC settings synchronization to your Microsoft account (nowadays this is the free option for most countries).
- Free, using 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points
- $30 fee, one-time payment for up to 10 devices linked to your Microsoft account.
Finally, confirm your enrollment and wait for Windows Update to complete the task.
If you are already enrolled in the program, your coverage will automatically extend until October 2027. No additional actions are required on your side. Otherwise, it is not urgent for you to enroll since you can do it anytime before the program ends, but why not protect yourself?
What ESU Doesn’t Cover — And Why That Matters
This is the area where people usually do not expect any problems to occur. Indeed, ESU addresses only security vulnerabilities. ESU will never resolve problems with drivers; it will never fix the problem with the stuck update process; it will not help with virus infection; and it definitely won’t work if you suddenly find yourself unable to print from your computer because your printer refuses to communicate with it. These are the typical problems, and running Windows 10 on old equipment leads to their accumulation.
This is precisely where many users with ESU have to go outside for help. The problems with drivers and updates are among the most common issues related to older versions of Windows 10 – a conflict between graphics drivers and security patches, or loss of connection by the network adapter after installation of an update. Another common problem area is software installation and troubleshooting, which becomes an issue in case of conflicts between legacy software and new patches within the ESU package.
There is also the aspect of security, which ESU partially takes care of. Enrolment protects the operating system, but does not prevent you from following the wrong links or installing an attachment that could be harmful. For that reason, the need for virus and malware removal and antivirus installations and support remains equally important post-enrolment as they were pre-enrolment. An OS that is patched and lacks an active antivirus program is still vulnerable.
And if at some point all of this begins to seem too complicated — navigating through menus, figuring out what drivers go where, wondering what is going on with a particular software update — then it is completely natural to feel that way. Remote computer troubleshooting and repairs have been invented for this very reason. The technician logs into your computer, figures out what is wrong, and fixes it while you do not need to understand every little detail.
Should You Enroll, or Just Upgrade?
This is the realistic approach to take on this matter. The ESU will provide you with breathing space rather than a permanent solution. However, if you are planning to migrate your PC to Windows 11 in a gradual process and not in a panic-driven hurry, then it makes sense to purchase ESU.
But if your computer cannot support the newer version of Windows and hence will never upgrade from its present configuration, then it makes sense to have the ESU as a safety net for your computer. Here, you will need to treat October 2027 as the hard deadline.
The Bottom Line
The Windows 10 ESU 2027 upgrade is indeed a relief and not some loophole to take lightly. You can choose to enroll using settings, opt for the free or paid option, whichever you prefer, and watch out for any driver issues, antivirus problems, or any software conflicts that may arise during the process. The upgrade provides you with ample time to think carefully about what to do next – use it to that effect.
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