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Microsoft Learn
learn.microsoft.com › en-us › windows › whats-new › extended-security-updates
Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for Windows 10 | Microsoft Learn
The Extended Security Update Program for Windows 10 must be purchased by year. Customers can't buy partial periods, for instance, only six months. Year One starts in November 2025.
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CNET
cnet.com › tech › computing › laptops › windows 10 users can get free security updates until 2027 — here's how
Windows 10 Users Can Get Free Security Updates Until 2027 — Here's How - CNET
5 days ago - Per Microsoft's blog post, there ... Redeeming those points can buy you one year of security updates. Pay $30 for the Extended Security Updates program....
Discussions

You can extend your windows 10 security updates to October 2026 by either paying $30 or using one of the two 'free' options
How is this not blatant market abuse? Linking OS security updates cost to a cloud storage service is like the definition of an antitrust case. This comes 2 days after they promised to behave better to the EU about bundling teams with office. Now they are forcing onedrive adoption through windows? Same with those ridiculous bing points. It's the one way they could think of forcing you to use Bing instead of google, beyond the legally mandatory free browser and search engine selection menus More on reddit.com
🌐 r/technology
299
1323
September 14, 2025
how do I pay for windows 10 ESU
When it shows up, and you can choose ... $30 for a year of coverage. Let me know if you have any further questions or concerns. ... Via the payment method associated with your Microsoft account. More at https://www.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/extended-security-updates?r=1 ... ESU is rolling out to eligible devices running Windows 10, version 22H2 ... More on learn.microsoft.com
🌐 learn.microsoft.com
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October 11, 2025
Microsoft announces paid subscription for Windows 10 users who want OS updates beyond 2025
In the past this has only been offered to enterprises/corporations for a lot of money. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/Windows10
172
273
December 5, 2023
Windows 10 ESU is now Free*
Microsoft makes Windows 10 extended security updates free, but there’s a catch But…there’s a catch (because, of course there is…) You can pay the $30/year cost, redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards Points, OR enable Window Backup to sync your settings and folders to the cloud…using ... More on community.spiceworks.com
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June 24, 2025
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Ten Forums
tenforums.com › windows-updates-activation › 216745-anyone-here-going-pay-windows-10-updates-after-october-2025-a.html
Is anyone here going to pay for Windows 10 updates after October 2025? - Windows 10 Help Forums
Microsoft will charge Windows 10 users \\$30 per year for security updates Microsoft will charge Windows 10 users \\$30 per year for security updates | Tom's Hardware
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PCMAG
pcmag.com › home › opinions › windows 11
3 Reasons Microsoft Doesn't Want Your Money for Windows 10 Updates | PCMag
February 17, 2025 - That’s a total of $427 per PC for three years of security updates. That’s a high bill that's meant to push businesses to leave Windows 10 behind. Still, it might be a small price to pay to get another three years of support for a ...
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/technology › you can extend your windows 10 security updates to october 2026 by either paying $30 or using one of the two 'free' options
r/technology on Reddit: You can extend your windows 10 security updates to October 2026 by either paying $30 or using one of the two 'free' options
September 14, 2025 - Same thing with Windows recall. Literally the most evil of the big 3 tech corpos by far. ... Honestly, I don't mind paying 30 bucks a year for security updates. I have zero interest, or even hardware, to make the switch to 11 and I got an insane amount of use from my original 10 pro purchase.
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PCMAG
pcmag.com › home › news › windows 11
How to Stay on Windows 10 Without Paying $30: Microsoft Has 2 New Options | PCMag
June 24, 2025 - StatCounter estimates that Windows ... program, either through the backup option, submitting 1,000 reward points, or paying the $30 fee....
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CNET
cnet.com › tech › computing › laptops › you can still get windows 10 security updates for free. here's the trick
You Can Still Get Windows 10 Security Updates for Free. Here's the Trick - CNET
March 10, 2026 - Per Microsoft's blog post, there ... Redeeming those points can buy you one year of security updates. Pay $30 for the Extended Security Updates program....
Top answer
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Via the payment method associated with your Microsoft account. More at https://www.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/extended-security-updates?r=1

How to get Windows 10 ESU

ESU is rolling out to eligible devices running Windows 10, version 22H2 prior to the end of support date on October 14, 2025, with availability expanding gradually as the phased rollout progresses. To get ESU on your Windows 10 device:

  1. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. If your device meets the prerequisites, you’ll see a link to enroll in ESU.
  2. Once you select Enroll now you’ll start the ESU enrollment. If you are signed into Windows with a local account, you will be prompted to sign into your Microsoft account. If you are already backing up your PC Settings, you will see a prompt to enroll your device.
  3. If you aren’t backing up your Windows settings, you can choose if you want to begin backing up your settings, redeem Rewards, or make a one-time purchase to enroll in ESU.

You can use your existing ESU license on up to 10 devices once you enroll in ESU. Just go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and select Enroll now on those additional devices. If you are already signed into the device with the same Microsoft account used to enroll your first device, select Add device. If you are not signed into the device with a Microsoft account, you will be prompted to sign in to the Microsoft account used to enroll the first device.


If the above response helps answer your question, remember to "Accept Answer" so that others in the community facing similar issues can easily find the solution. Your contribution is highly appreciated.

hth

Marcin

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I don't have the enrol option

Find elsewhere
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Windows Central
windowscentral.com › microsoft › windows 10
Microsoft confirms how much you'll pay to remain secure on Windows 10 beyond end of support | Windows Central
October 31, 2024 - Windows 10's end of support date ... today, Microsoft has confirmed that individuals using Windows 10 Home or Pro will have to pay $30 to remain supported with security updates....
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Forbes
forbes.com › sites › daveywinder › 2025 › 11 › 03 › microsoft-confirms-free-windows-10-security-updates---how-to-get-them
Microsoft Confirms Free Windows 10 Security Updates — How To Get Them
November 3, 2025 - ForbesWarning As Microsoft Windows Attacks Confirmed — No Patch AvailableBy Davey Winder · Microsoft has now announced that Windows 10 users can continue to get security updates until October 13, 2026, without having to pay the $30 fee to enroll ...
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Windows Central
windowscentral.com › microsoft › windows 10
Free Windows 10 Extended Security Updates are now yours to claim — but there's a catch
July 22, 2025 - Those options include syncing settings to the cloud to receive a year of Windows 10 security updates for free or paying $30 per device to receive the same updates.
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The Verge
theverge.com › news › tech › microsoft
Microsoft makes Windows 10 extended security updates free, but there’s a catch | The Verge
June 24, 2025 - Microsoft revealed last year that it will charge consumers $30 for a year of extra security updates to Windows 10. Now, it’s allowing consumers to enroll into its Extended Security Updates (ESU) free of charge ahead of the Windows 10 end of ...
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/windows10 › microsoft announces paid subscription for windows 10 users who want os updates beyond 2025
r/Windows10 on Reddit: Microsoft announces paid subscription for Windows 10 users who want OS updates beyond 2025
December 5, 2023 - The only people paying for licenses are people that don't have ones. MS decided it was more profitable to sell services such as Game Pass, One Drive and Office 365. ... "The company is clear that the ESU program is for security updates only, meaning Microsoft won't be delivering new features to Windows 10 beyond October 2025"
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ZDNET
zdnet.com › home › tech › services & software › operating systems › windows
Can't quit Windows 10? Here's how to keep getting security updates after October 2025 | ZDNET
July 9, 2025 - Also: How to upgrade your ... all the details of how that program will work. Individuals can choose to pay $30 for a one-year extension or take advantage of a pair of free offerings that were announced just months before ...
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XDA Developers
xda-developers.com › home › threads › windows threads › will you be paying for windows 10 updates?
Will you be paying for Windows 10 updates? - XDA Developers
November 1, 2024 - While businesses can pay for up to three years of extended updates, albeit for a high cost, consumers only have the option to pay $30 for a single year of extended security updates.
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Ars Technica
arstechnica.com › gadgets › 2025 › 07 › how-to-get-another-free-year-of-updates-for-your-windows-10-pc
How to get another free year of updates for your Windows 10 PC - Ars Technica
July 30, 2025 - If you haven’t used Windows Backup, you’ll also see options for using Microsoft Rewards points or paying a one-time $30 fee. Andrew Cunningham ... I had already used the Windows Backup app with my Microsoft Account at some point in the past, so I was automatically offered free enrollment into the ESU program. Whichever option you choose, click the Enroll button, and your PC will be signed up for the extra year of updates.
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Windows Central
windowscentral.com › microsoft › windows 10
Microsoft makes Windows 10 security updates FREE for an extra year — but there's a catch, and you might not like it | Windows Central
June 24, 2025 - The Windows 10 ESU program was first announced last year, and it costs $30 per device if you choose not to sign in with a Microsoft Account and sync your PC settings to the cloud.
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Tom's Hardware
tomshardware.com › software › operating systems
Microsoft will charge Windows 10 users $30 per year for security updates | Tom's Hardware
October 31, 2024 - For businesses, the base license is priced at $61 per device for the first year, with the cost doubling each subsequent year for up to three years. If a company joins in the second year, it must pay for the first year, as the ESU fees are cumulative.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/buildapc › got windows 10 extended security updates for free. should i still upgrade?
r/buildapc on Reddit: Got Windows 10 Extended Security Updates for free. Should I still upgrade?
September 29, 2025 -

Since I'm in Europe, I got extended Security Updates for Windows 10 for free for a year. I was literally about to force my device, which Microsoft say is incompatible, to update to 11 and buy a whole new motherboard and CPU if it didn't work well. However, it looks like I don't need to now. Is there any reason why I should still proceed with getting Windows 11?