Good news for Windows 10 users—Microsoft is giving you more time, somehow. The company has added extra security support for personal computers by one more year, so eligible devices will keep receiving important protection updates until October 12, 2027. Windows 10 launched back in 2015 , and then regular support officially ended on October 14, 2025. After that, users kind of had three options: move to Windows 11, switch over to Microsoft’s cloud options, or sign up for the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, to remain safeguarded a bit longer.
Why This Matters
The ESU program was originally supposed to end in October 2026. Now it’s been pushed to October 2027, giving people who aren’t ready to switch to Windows 11 some extra breathing room.
If you’re already signed up for ESU, you don’t need to do anything — the extra year is added automatically. If you haven’t joined yet, you can still sign up anytime before October 2027.
To qualify, your PC needs to be running Windows 10 version 22H2 (Home, Pro, Pro Education, or Pro for Workstations), with the latest updates installed. You’ll also need a Microsoft account with admin access — local accounts and child accounts won’t work.
3 Ways to join ESU
You can get ESU coverage in one of three ways:
- Turn on Windows Backup – Free, no extra cost.
- Use Microsoft Rewards points – Redeem 1,000 points instead of paying.
- Buy a license – Pay $30 (plus tax) for one year, usable on up to 10 devices.
What happens after 2027?
Once the extended deadline ends, Microsoft will stop sending security updates for Windows 10. Your computer will still work, but it’ll be more exposed to viruses and security risks. Businesses still using Windows 10 may also run into issues with compliance and software compatibility.
A few related tools will still get some support a bit longer, though. Microsoft Defender Antivirus and Microsoft 365 security updates will continue until October 2028, even after Windows 10 itself stops getting updates.
Microsoft still wants you to upgrade
Even with the extra time, Microsoft is still encouraging everyone to move to Windows 11 or get a new Copilot+ PC. To make switching easier, they recommend using Windows Backup to save your files, photos, and settings — so everything transfers smoothly when you do upgrade.
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