Windows 10 Extended Security Updates

If you're still running Windows 10 and haven't yet enabled Extended Security Updates — your computer has been effectively unprotected since October 2025. But there is good news: Microsoft has just announced that Extended Security Updates (ESU) will be extended for a further year, running until October 2027. Even better — for UK users, it's free.

What Are Extended Security Updates?

Windows 10 officially reached the end of its support life in October 2025. After that date, Microsoft stopped releasing the regular security patches that fix newly discovered vulnerabilities in Windows. Without those patches, any security holes that hackers find in Windows 10 are left open — and attackers actively target machines that aren't being updated.

Extended Security Updates (ESU) are Microsoft's solution for people who haven't yet moved to Windows 11. By enabling ESU, your machine continues to receive security patches — keeping those doors locked against the most common attacks.

Without ESU enabled, your PC is at greater risk — known security holes are not being patched and hackers know it. With ESU enabled, you carry on receiving the updates that keep those holes fixed.

How to Enable ESU on Windows 10

Enabling ESU is straightforward. Follow these steps:

Press the Windows key and the letter R at the same time. A small box will appear in the bottom-left corner of your screen with a white text field.

Copy and paste the following exactly into the white box that appears, then press OK:

ms-settings:windowsupdate-esu

Run

Type the name of a program, folder, document, or Internet resource, and Windows will open it for you.

Open:

ms-settings:windowsupdate-esu

Cancel

Browse...

Windows Update will open directly on the ESU enrolment page. Follow the on-screen steps to enable updates — it takes less than a minute.

Please note — this is not the same as antivirus.

ESU patches security holes in Windows itself. Antivirus protects you from malicious software trying to run on your machine. You need both — they work alongside each other. Enabling ESU does not replace your antivirus, and having antivirus does not replace ESU. Make sure you have both in place.

Do I Still Need to Upgrade Eventually?

Yes — ESU is a temporary extension, not a permanent fix. At some point Windows 10 will reach the end of even extended support, and the safest long-term position is running Windows 11 on supported hardware. But this gives you more time to plan that move without your machine being left exposed in the meantime.

If you're not sure whether your PC can run Windows 11, or you'd like help enabling ESU and checking everything is properly set up, get in touch — we're happy to run through it with you.

Need a Hand Getting This Set Up?

We can check your machine is fully protected — ESU enabled, antivirus in order, and Windows up to date. Get in touch for help in Consett and across County Durham.

← Back to Blog