Extended Security Update

Winsage
October 15, 2026
On October 14, 2026, NVIDIA will release the final GeForce Game Ready Driver for Windows 10, coinciding with the operating system's mainstream end of support. Starting in November 2026, all new Game Ready and Studio Driver releases will only support Windows 11. Approximately 23.56% of Steam gamers were still using Windows 10 as of June 2026. The last Game Ready driver for Windows 10 is version 617.42, released on October 6, 2026. NVIDIA will provide quarterly security updates for Windows 10 GeForce drivers until October 2029, but no new game support or enhancements will be available. Users with RTX 20, 30, 40, and 50 series cards will be affected by this transition, while older models like the GTX 900 and GTX 10 series have already reached their support limits. Windows 10 users will miss out on DLSS 5, which is exclusive to RTX 50-series hardware. Microsoft has extended the free consumer Extended Security Update (ESU) program for Windows 10 to October 12, 2027.
Winsage
July 16, 2026
Microsoft has released its July 2026 Patch Tuesday updates, addressing 570 new security vulnerabilities, bringing the total for the month to over 620. The cumulative count of vulnerabilities patched this year has reached 1,380, exceeding the total of 1,250 for the entire year of 2020. Over 400 vulnerabilities are related to various versions of Windows, and the Windows 10 Extended Security Update program has been extended until October 12, 2027. Notable vulnerabilities include CVE-2026-56155 in Active Directory Federation Services, which allows attackers to gain administrator rights, and several critical Remote Code Execution vulnerabilities, including CVE-2026-57092 in Hyper-V and CVE-2026-56190 in Remote Desktop Protocol. Microsoft has also patched 97 vulnerabilities in Office products, with 17 classified as critical RCE vulnerabilities, and four vulnerabilities in Exchange Server, including CVE-2026-55008. The latest Microsoft Edge update addresses 27 vulnerabilities related to Chromium, and a vulnerability in Minecraft Bedrock servers has been patched.
Winsage
July 2, 2026
Microsoft has extended the Windows 10 Extended Security Update (ESU) program for consumers by an additional year, now set to end in October 2027. Significant changes are being made to the Windows Insider experience, including a new Windows Update feature and the introduction of five new builds. Microsoft has started offering 8 GB models of its Surface Pro and Laptop, while discontinuing its Surface Go products. HP has partnered with OpenAI, and Anthropic has launched Sonnet 5. Xbox Series X|S prices are set to increase on August 1, coinciding with the discontinuation of the 2 TB X model. Microsoft may lay off approximately 5,500 employees, about 2.5 percent of its workforce. The Minecraft Bedrock edition has introduced closed captions, and Sony plans to cease the sale of physical PS media by 2028.
Winsage
June 10, 2026
Microsoft has released the Windows 10 KB5094127 extended security update, which addresses vulnerabilities identified during the June 2026 Patch Tuesday and enhances monitoring of updated Secure Boot certificates. Users on Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC or enrolled in the ESU program can install it via the Windows Update settings. The update upgrades Windows 10 to build 19045.7417 and Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 to build 19044.7417. It focuses on security enhancements and bug fixes, resolving a total of 200 vulnerabilities, including three zero-day flaws. Key features include improved File Explorer search functionality for Chinese text and UTF-8 encoded files, dynamic status reporting for Secure Boot states, a new policy setting to limit Secure Boot service data sent to Microsoft, and enhanced targeting data for automatic receipt of new Secure Boot certificates. A known issue may cause BitLocker recovery notifications on certain systems, particularly those with specific BitLocker Group Policy settings. Microsoft recommends removing the Group Policy setting and suspending/resuming BitLocker as a temporary fix.
Winsage
May 13, 2026
Microsoft has released the Windows 10 KB5087544 extended security update, which addresses vulnerabilities identified during the May 2026 Patch Tuesday and resolves issues related to Remote Desktop warnings. Users on Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC or enrolled in the ESU program can install it via Settings under Windows Update. The update upgrades Windows 10 to build 19045.7291 and Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 to build 19044.7291. The update focuses on security enhancements and bug fixes, addressing 120 vulnerabilities. Key fixes include resolving incorrect Remote Desktop security warning dialogs in multi-monitor setups, introducing dynamic status reporting for Secure Boot, and adjusting Daylight Savings Time for Egypt. A known issue may require users to input their BitLocker recovery key after installation, affecting systems with specific BitLocker Group Policy configurations. Microsoft suggests removing the affected Group Policy setting and suspending and resuming BitLocker as a temporary solution.
Winsage
May 10, 2026
Microsoft is implementing changes to Secure Boot certificates for Windows PCs, marking the first expiration since 2011. New certificates must be installed on all devices before a deadline in June. Users can check their status via the Windows Security App. The new certificates will be distributed through regular monthly security updates, with some users already receiving them in April and others expected to see changes in May. Following these updates, users may experience additional restarts on their PCs. The update applies only to PCs eligible for security updates, meaning many Windows 10 PCs will not receive the new certificates, potentially exposing them to risks. Affected users are advised to enroll in Microsoft’s Extended Security Update (ESU) program.
Winsage
April 30, 2026
Windows 11 has faced criticism from users regarding its hardware requirements and perceived overload of features. A customization community has emerged, with developers like Raditya Aryaputra proposing a "Refined" version of Windows 11 that focuses on essential features and a cleaner interface. This concept includes a compact Start menu without ads or forced recommendations and a more intuitive Windows Search. Microsoft is planning enhancements for Windows 11, internally referred to as Windows K2, set for a 2026 release, which may incorporate user feedback and ideas from Aryaputra's project. Microsoft has also redesigned the Start menu but received feedback that it is too large and lacks customization. The company is reintroducing Windows Insider meetups for user feedback and reassessing its AI strategy within Windows 11. Mainstream support for Windows 10 will end on October 14, 2025, pushing users towards Windows 11.
Search