Windows 10 has been out of normal help since October 2025, however Microsoft has given shoppers significantly extra time earlier than its security-update lifeline disappears.
Microsoft prolonged its Windows 10 Extended Security Updates, or ESU, program for personal-use gadgets by way of October 12, 2027, giving folks with unsupported PCs one other 12 months of safety protection. Existing contributors roll into the extra 12 months routinely. Meanwhile, Microsoft remains to be actively patching enrolled Windows 10 techniques, together with by way of its July 14, 2026 cumulative safety replace.
For customers preserving an older PC alive, the extension modifications the calculation. Here is what Windows 10 ESU prices, who qualifies, what protection contains, and the way the buyer program differs from Microsoft’s longer business providing.
How Windows 10 ESU works
Microsoft’s July 14 replace, KB5099539, exhibits this system in motion. The cumulative safety replace applies to Windows 10 ESU techniques and contains safety fixes and high quality enhancements. Microsoft additionally famous that Windows 10 model 22H2 reached finish of help on October 14, 2025, and directs customers who need continued essential safety updates to ESU.
ESU primarily extends the security-update window. Microsoft says this system doesn’t embody new options, customer-requested nonsecurity updates, or design modifications.
Consumer ESU now runs by way of 2027
The greatest 2026 change is the deadline.
Microsoft’s present help steering says client ESU can defend Windows 10 gadgets by way of October 12, 2027. Tom’s Hardware reported the extension on June 26, 2026, saying beforehand enrolled customers would obtain the additional 12 months routinely.
Enrollment choices remained unchanged after the extension, in line with Tom’s Hardware. Consumers can sync their PC settings to a Microsoft account by way of Windows Backup at no extra value, redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards factors, or make a one-time $30 cost. One ESU license can cowl as much as 10 gadgets tied to the identical account.
|
Consumer enrollment possibility |
Cost |
| Sync settings by way of Windows Backup | No extra value |
| Microsoft Rewards | 1,000 factors |
| One-time cost | $30 |
Users within the European Economic Area have totally different circumstances and may enroll at no extra value by signing in with a Microsoft account. Enrollment guidelines can due to this fact range by market.
Consumer ESU eligibility and enrollment
The client program is meant for private Windows 10 gadgets. Microsoft’s July 2026 ESU launch identifies Windows 10 model 22H2 because the relevant client servicing launch.
Before enrolling, shoppers ought to test three fundamentals:
- Confirm the PC is operating Windows 10 model 22H2.
- Install the newest out there Windows updates.
- Check Windows Update for the ESU enrollment possibility.
Microsoft’s client necessities distinguish private gadgets from commercially managed PCs. Tom’s Hardware reported in June 2026 that machines joined to Active Directory or Microsoft Entra, or managed by way of cellular machine administration, will not be eligible for the buyer program. Entra-registered private gadgets can nonetheless qualify.
Commercially managed PCs comply with Microsoft’s separate enterprise licensing and deployment course of.
Business ESU pricing rises annually
Organizations get an extended Windows 10 runway, however the additional time turns into dearer annually.
Microsoft lists business ESU at $61 per machine for Year 1, with the value doubling in every consecutive 12 months for a most of three years. Microsoft’s lifecycle schedule runs business Windows 10 ESU by way of October 13, 2026 for Year 1, October 12, 2027 for Year 2, and October 10, 2028 for Year 3.
|
Commercial ESU 12 months |
Cost per machine |
| Year 1 | $61 |
| Year 2 | $122 |
| Year 3 | $244 |
Microsoft doesn’t permit business prospects to buy solely a part of an ESU 12 months. Coverage can be cumulative, which means a corporation…
