Windows 10 End of Support: What to Do? Free Security Updates Until 2027 – Enable ESU or Upgrade to Windows 11 Now

End of Support for Windows 10: No Support for a Year, but Security Updates Are Still Available

With the end of Windows 10 support on October 14, 2025, Microsoft has discontinued regular support for the operating system. Anyone who concludes that every Windows 10 PC has been unprotected since then is mistaken, and anyone who believes they don’t need to take any action is also mistaken. The key factor is whether a device is registered in the Extended Security Updates program. For home users in Switzerland and the European Economic Area, this registration is free, and as of June 25, 2026, it is no longer valid only through October 2026, but through October 12, 2027.

For most owners of a Windows 10 PC, the honest answer is therefore: There’s no need to rush, but there is one clear step that should be taken now. The following answers explain what that step is, when it’s worth upgrading to Windows 11, and in which cases purchasing a license is necessary at all.

What does the end of Windows 10 support mean, and why do some PCs still receive updates?

Since October 14, 2025, Microsoft has been providing security updates for Windows 10 Home and Pro only to devices registered in the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program. A PC that hasn’t been registered will continue to run as usual, but as of that date, it will no longer receive fixes for newly discovered security vulnerabilities in the operating system. The end of support is therefore not a cutoff date, but rather a transition from automatic protection to protection that must be actively enabled. This is precisely the step many users have skipped because, after the deadline, Windows 10 appears to function exactly the same as before.

Has Microsoft postponed the end of security updates for Windows 10 to 2027?

Yes. Originally, the ESU program for home users was limited to one year, ending on October 13, 2026. On June 25, 2026, Microsoft extended the program’s end date to October 12, 2027—without much fanfare—by updating its own program page. Devices that were already registered will continue to receive updates automatically; no further action is required. Anyone who hasn’t registered yet can do so by October 12, 2027, and will then also receive the updates released since October 2025. Microsoft has not indicated any further extensions; for planning purposes, October 2027 is considered the end date.

How much does ESU for Windows 10 cost in Switzerland and the EU?

For home users in the European Economic Area, ESU is free as long as they remain signed in to their PC with a Microsoft account. Microsoft has confirmed that this policy also applies to Switzerland, even though Switzerland is not part of the European Economic Area. Those who do not wish to use a Microsoft account permanently can instead pay a one-time fee of approximately $30 or the equivalent in local currency and then continue using a local account. Different terms apply outside of Europe: There, the free option is tied to syncing PC settings via Windows Backup or, alternatively, to redeeming 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points.

What requirements must a PC meet for Windows 10 ESU?

The PC must be running Windows 10 version 22H2, specifically one of the following editions: Home, Pro, Pro Education, or Pro for Workstations. All current Windows updates must be installed, including the preparatory package KB5126256; without it, the registration option won’t even appear in Settings. The Microsoft account used for registration must have administrator rights on the device and cannot be a child account. Devices in kiosk mode, devices that have joined an Active Directory domain or Microsoft Entra, and devices managed via mobile device management are excluded. If you’re still running an older version, such as 21H2, you must first update to 22H2.

How do I register my Windows 10 PC for ESU?

Registration takes place under Settings, Update & Security, Windows Update. If the PC meets the requirements, a notice about the Extended Security Updates will appear there with a “Register Now” button. If the PC is set up with a local account, Windows will prompt you at this point to sign in with a Microsoft account. The same page will then permanently display whether the registration was successful. If the button is missing, it’s usually because an update hasn’t been installed yet or because the version is older than 22H2.

What happens to ESU if I sign out of my Microsoft account?

For the free European version, Microsoft will stop providing ESU updates after up to 60 days if no one logs in to the device using the registered Microsoft account. Registration is therefore not a one-time formality but is tied to the ongoing use of the account. If you want to stick with a local account for privacy reasons or because of an existing workflow, choose the one-time paid option. In that case, the Microsoft account is only required for the purchase itself.

Is a Windows 10 PC without ESU still secure if the antivirus software is up to date?

No, up-to-date antivirus protection does not replace patched security vulnerabilities. Although Microsoft will continue to provide new detection signatures for Microsoft Defender Antivirus on Windows 10 through October 2028, it emphasizes that antivirus protection alone does not provide sufficient security. The difference is practical: A signature detects known malware, whereas a security update closes the vulnerability through which an attacker would be able to inject code onto the PC in the first place. A computer without ESU that’s used daily for browsing, email, and online banking accumulates unpatched vulnerabilities with each passing month.

Whether it makes sense to use additional security software in addition to ESU registration depends on how the PC is used and is a separate issue that goes beyond the end of support.

Best Antivirus? Why Windows Defender Alone Isn’t Enough
What the built-in antivirus protection does, where it falls short, and when a security suite offers real added value.

What doesn’t ESU cover for Windows 10?

ESU provides only security updates that the Microsoft Security Response Center classifies as “critical” or “important.” Non-security-related bug fixes, new features, and technical support from Microsoft are not included. In everyday use, this means: If something stops working after a printer driver update, or if a new version of a program no longer supports Windows 10, ESU won’t help. Hardware manufacturers and software providers, in particular, are gradually phasing out support for Windows 10, regardless of how long Microsoft continues to provide security updates.

Can my PC upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 for free?

Yes, if the PC meets the hardware requirements for Windows 11 and has a valid Windows 10 license, the upgrade via Windows Update is free. You can check whether this applies using Microsoft’s free PC Health Check app, which runs directly on the Windows 10 PC. If devices fail the check, it’s usually due to one of three issues: The processor isn’t on Microsoft’s list of supported models, the Trusted Platform Module (version 2.0) is missing or disabled, or the PC doesn’t boot in UEFI mode with Secure Boot enabled. The last two issues can often be resolved in the BIOS, but the processor issue cannot.

After the upgrade, Windows 11 should be running version 25H2. Microsoft discontinued updates for the Home and Pro editions of version 24H2 in October 2026, so anyone who ends up with an older installation should apply the feature update right away.

Do I need a new license for Windows 11?

No, not for upgrading on the same PC. A valid Windows 10 license entitles you to upgrade to Windows 11 in the same edition: Windows 10 Home becomes Windows 11 Home, and Windows 10 Pro becomes Windows 11 Pro. A purchase is only necessary if you want to change the edition. If, after upgrading, you need BitLocker, Remote Desktop as a host, or to join a corporate domain on a Home system, you’ll need the Windows 11 Pro Upgrade Key ⧉. It upgrades a running Windows 11 Home installation to Pro without a reinstallation and preserves all programs and data. It is not intended for a PC already running Pro or for a device without an existing Windows 11 Home installation.

What should I back up before switching to Windows 11?

An upgrade via Windows Update preserves files, installed programs, and most settings. Microsoft also offers the option to revert to Windows 10 via the recovery options for ten days after the upgrade. Neither of these replaces a data backup: if the upgrade is interrupted due to a power outage or a defective storage device, the revert option won’t help. At a minimum, documents, photos, email archives, and browser bookmarks should be backed up to an external storage device or cloud storage before the upgrade; for company PCs, license information for specialized applications should also be included.

Understanding
how a backup must be structured so that it can actually be restored in an emergency goes beyond the single day of the upgrade.

Data loss is costly: How backups help you avoid
downtime—which data should be backed up, how often, and how to verify that recovery will work in an emergency.

What are the specific differences between ESU and upgrading to Windows 11?

The table compares the four options available to private Windows 10 users. Windows 10 LTSC and the paid ESU for businesses are not included because they target different audiences and have different deadlines, and they are addressed separately below.

Criterion	ESU with a Microsoft account	ESU with a one-time payment	Upgrade to Windows 11	New Windows 11 PC
Security updates until	October 12, 2027	October 12, 2027	Depends on version	Depends on version
Costs for the operating system	None	One-time fee	None	Depends
Local account available permanently	✕	✓	See note	See note
Runs on older hardware	✓	✓	Only certified PCs	New hardware
New features	✕	✕	✓	✓
Programs and data remain	✓	✓	✓	Migration required
For domain and MDM devices	✕	✕	✓	✓

“Version-dependent” means that Windows 11 does not have a fixed end date; instead, each annual version has its own support period. Anyone who installs the annual feature updates will continue to receive support indefinitely. “Depends” is listed for a new PC because Windows is usually included in the purchase price of a new device, but not in the case of a custom-built or used device without a license. “See note” for local accounts: Microsoft requires a Microsoft account during the initial setup of Windows 11, but an existing local account is generally retained after an upgrade. Since Microsoft frequently updates its setup processes, no reliable guarantee can be made in this regard.

What should I do with a PC that doesn’t support Windows 11?

For such a PC, registering for the free ESU is the most sensible step, as it gives you until October 12, 2027, to plan for a replacement without pressure. There are guides circulating online that claim to allow Windows 11 to be installed on unsupported hardware. Microsoft itself states that such devices are not eligible for updates, including security updates. For a work computer that needs to run reliably, this isn’t a solution—it’s a risk you can easily avoid by taking advantage of one year of free updates. You have until fall 2027 to decide whether a new device, a motherboard upgrade, or a different operating system for older secondary devices is the better choice.

Is a Windows 10 key still a worthwhile purchase today?

Only in a few cases. A Windows 10 key makes sense if a PC doesn’t support Windows 11, no longer has a valid license, and is supposed to continue running with ESU until October 2027—for example, because an older specialized application or a device driver only works under Windows 10. Typical examples include a workshop computer connected to a machine control system or a used device whose previous owner did not include the license. For this purpose, a Windows 10 Pro Retail Key is sufficient for a PC ⧉, which, compared to Windows 10 Home, additionally includes BitLocker and Remote Desktop as a host. For a PC that supports Windows 11, however, this is the inferior choice: In that case, the best option is to obtain a Windows 11 license, which does not expire in October 2027.

Is Windows 10 LTSC a solution after end of support?

Not for standard work and home PCs. Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 reaches its end of support as early as January 12, 2027—earlier than the ESU program for home users. Although Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021 will be supported until January 13, 2032, it is intended for devices with a specific purpose, such as point-of-sale systems, control computers, or information terminals. Both editions also lack the Microsoft Store and several apps that users of Windows 10 Home and Pro are accustomed to. Anyone who uses LTSC solely to avoid the end of support is trading a known issue for an edition that isn’t designed for their specific use case.

When is it worth purchasing a Windows 11 license despite the free upgrade?

Whenever there is no existing Windows installation on the device. This primarily applies to custom-built PCs, used devices without a license, and computers that require a fresh installation after a hardware replacement. For personal computers and small offices without a corporate network, the Windows 11 Home OEM Key ⧉ is sufficient. It covers office work, web browsing, gaming, and device encryption on supported hardware, but does not include BitLocker with custom key management, Hyper-V, or domain joining.

As
soon as a device needs to join a corporate domain, encrypt an entire SSD with BitLocker, or be accessible from outside the network via Remote Desktop, the Windows 11 Professional OEM Key ⧉ is the right choice. For a PC used exclusively by a family, however, the Pro version offers no benefits that are noticeable in everyday use.

Where exactly the line between Home and Pro lies in individual cases—such as for freelancers handling customer data or developers using virtual machines—is a matter for individual consideration, which is only briefly touched upon here.

Windows 11 Home vs. Pro: Here Are the Differences
—BitLocker, Hyper-V, Remote Desktop, and Domain Joining Compared, with Clear Recommendations for Typical Use Cases.

Why doesn’t a product called “Windows 11 Pro Upgrade” upgrade from Windows 10?

Because “Upgrade” in the product name refers to a change in edition, not a change in the Windows generation. A Windows 11 Pro Upgrade upgrades an existing Windows 11 Home installation to Pro. Windows Update handles the upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 for eligible PCs free of charge; no product is required for this. The same logic applies to the older Windows 10 Pro Upgrade, which upgrades a Windows 10 Home installation to Pro. If you confuse the two, in the worst-case scenario, you’ll buy something you don’t need and still end up with Windows 10.

Does the free ESU also apply to company PCs?

Only to a limited extent. Microsoft explicitly excludes from the ESU program for home users any devices that have joined an Active Directory domain or Microsoft Entra, or that are managed via a mobile device management solution such as Intune. A single-user PC running Windows 10 Pro in a small office that isn’t connected to any domain will technically be offered registration. However, Microsoft states that the program for home users is not intended for commercial scenarios. Managed corporate devices, on the other hand, require the paid ESU for organizations, which is purchased annually and is valid until October 10, 2028, at the latest. If a device that has already been registered for personal use is later added to a domain, Microsoft suspends the registration for as long as it is used as a corporate device.

Will Office and Microsoft 365 continue to run on Windows 10?

Yes, the programs will continue to launch and run on Windows 10 as before. For Microsoft 365 apps, Microsoft will continue to provide security updates on Windows 10 until October 10, 2028, but will no longer offer new features or support. For the purchased versions of Office, the situation depends on the specific version, as each has its own lifecycle, and Office 2021 has already reached its end of support in October 2026. Anyone who continues to use Windows 10 through 2027 should therefore check whether the installed version of Office itself is still receiving updates.

Which Office version is officially supported on which Windows version is determined individually for each combination and would go beyond the scope of this answer.

Windows Compatibility with Office
: Table of supported Windows and Windows Server versions for Office 2010 through Office 2024.

Which solution fits which scenario?

The right answer depends less on your budget than on what your PC is capable of and how it’s integrated into your system. The table maps out the most common scenarios.

Your Situation	Suitable Solution	Reason
Personal computer, Windows 11-compatible	Free upgrade	No cost and no expiration date in 2027.
Personal PC, not compatible with Windows 11	ESU with a Microsoft account	Updates through October 2027—time to replace it.
No Microsoft account desired	ESU with a one-time payment	Local account remains usable.
Company PC in a domain or Intune	Windows 11 or ESU for businesses	Personal ESU is not available.
Custom-built or unlicensed PC	Windows 11 Home or Pro	Windows 10 will no longer receive updates after October 2027.
Windows 11 Home (Pro features required)	Windows 11 Pro upgrade	Change editions without reinstalling.
Specialized application runs only on Windows 10	ESU—contact the vendor	A successor is needed by 2027.

End of Windows 10 Support: What to Do, and How Do I Make the Final Decision?

First, run the PC health check, because its result determines almost everything. If the PC passes, the free upgrade to Windows 11 is the option with the longest-term benefits, and it can be done without time pressure on a quiet day after backing up your data. If it doesn’t pass, free ESU registration is mandatory, and the year leading up to October 2027 is meant for planning your replacement rather than rushing to buy one under pressure. Purchasing a license is only necessary if you don’t have one or need a different edition.

---