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Windows · Terms changed · Tracked since October 13, 2026 · Sources checked Oct 13

Time to bail on Windows 10 home PCs on Extended Security Updates?

Time to Bail · Boarding pass

FromWindows 10 home PCs on Extended Security Updates
ToYour pick

Not yet.

Home security updates now run to October 12, 2027. Enrolled PCs need to do nothing.[1]

Stay means nothing has changed for you yet. Keep an eye on it.

Gate closes
Home ESU program ends
Time left
361days
Status
Stay

Windows 10 home security updates now run to October 12, 2027

Microsoft extended the home Extended Security Updates program for Windows 10 to October 12, 2027. PCs that are already enrolled keep getting updates. They need to do nothing.

How it is winding down

  1. Oct 14, 2025Windows 10 support endedDone
  2. Oct 12Home ESU program endsNext

What to do before October 12

Tick steps as you go. Your progress stays in this browser.

  1. Check if your PC is enrolled

    Open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. It shows if you get Extended Security Updates.

  2. Not enrolled? Enroll now

    Choose free (sync your PC settings), 1,000 Rewards points or $30. You can enroll until October 12, 2027.

  3. Plan for after October 2027

    Check if your PC can run Windows 11, or plan a new PC before the program ends.

Facts we checked

Facts and their sources
Home ESU program endsOctober 12, 2027[1]
PCs already enrolledCoverage continues through October 12, 2027; no action needed[1]
Ways to enrollFree if you sync your PC settings, 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points, or $30 one time plus tax[1]
One license coversUp to 10 devices[1]
Who can enrollWindows 10, version 22H2: Home, Pro, Pro Education or Workstations; not PCs joined to a domain[1]
How to enrollSettings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Enroll now[1]
Windows 10 support endedOctober 14, 2025[2]
Microsoft's suggested next stepMove eligible PCs to Windows 11[2]

Sources

Check it yourself. Every fact above links here.

  1. Windows 10 Consumer Extended Security Updates (ESU) program Microsoft · primary · checked Oct 13
  2. Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for Windows 10 Microsoft · primary · checked Oct 13
Read the published editorial report

What changed

Time to bail on Windows 10 home PCs on Extended Security Updates? Not yet. Home security updates now run to October 12, 2027. Enrolled PCs need to do nothing.

On our scale this is Stay: nothing forces a move today. Keep a backup and watch for news.

Microsoft extended the home Extended Security Updates program for Windows 10 to October 12, 2027. PCs that are already enrolled keep getting updates. They need to do nothing.

Here are the facts we checked:

  • Home ESU program ends: October 12, 2027 (Microsoft)
  • PCs already enrolled: Coverage continues through October 12, 2027; no action needed (Microsoft)
  • Ways to enroll: Free if you sync your PC settings, 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points, or $30 one time plus tax (Microsoft)
  • One license covers: Up to 10 devices (Microsoft)
  • Who can enroll: Windows 10, version 22H2: Home, Pro, Pro Education or Workstations; not PCs joined to a domain (Microsoft)
  • How to enroll: Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Enroll now (Microsoft)
  • Windows 10 support ended: October 14, 2025 (Microsoft)
  • Microsoft's suggested next step: Move eligible PCs to Windows 11 (Microsoft)

This change is for new customers. Current Windows customers keep their plan for now, per the facts above.

You do not have to do anything today. Check your plan before your next renewal.

Microsoft is the main source for this page. Windows has not said more than what is listed here. If a fact is not on this page, we do not know it yet.

Who is affected

New customers see the new prices. Current Windows customers keep their plan for now.

Export is fairly easy here, so the move itself is not the hard part. Picking the right new tool is.

The date to remember is October 12, 2027. After that, it may be too late to save what you need.

What to do before October 12

  1. Check if your PC is enrolled. Open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. It shows if you get Extended Security Updates.
  2. Not enrolled? Enroll now. Choose free (sync your PC settings), 1,000 Rewards points or $30. You can enroll until October 12, 2027.
  3. Plan for after October 2027. Check if your PC can run Windows 11, or plan a new PC before the program ends.

A few rules help every move go well:

  • Keep the old account open until the new tool works. Do not cancel first.
  • Keep every export in two places, like your laptop and a cloud drive.
  • Test the new tool with a small part of your data before you move it all.
  • Tell your users or team once, in one short and clear message.

How to tell your users

Send one short email. Say what changed, where to find you now, and what they need to do. Put the most important line first.

If there is a date, send a short reminder a few days before it. Keep a copy of the list you sent it to.

Options people mention

Listed for convenience. Not ranked. Not paid. These names come up in threads and reviews; that does not show where people moved.

Before you pay, check the price page of each tool yourself. Prices change, and we only list what our sources say.

Questions people ask

No questions collected yet.

Sources

Thanks.

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