As the clock ticks down to the mid-October deadline, the conversation surrounding the impending end of support for Windows 10 continues to resonate within the tech community. While the cut-off date approaches, users are still grappling with the implications of this transition, and Microsoft is keen to provide some clarity amidst the uncertainty.
In a recent shift in strategy, Microsoft has introduced a mechanism that allows Windows 10 users to temporarily escape the incessant prompts to upgrade to Windows 11. However, this reprieve comes with certain stipulations.
Microsoft has opened the doors to its Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, allowing individual users, not just large enterprises, to pay for continued security updates. This initiative aims to provide a safety net for those who, for various reasons, may not be ready to transition to Windows 11. While these updates will not mirror the frequency or volume of the previous support, they offer a semblance of security and reassurance.
Despite the looming deadline, many Windows 10 users remain unaware of the ESU program and its benefits. Fortunately, this is beginning to change.
Windows 10 ESU
With less than two months remaining until standard support for Windows 10 concludes, Microsoft is actively rolling out a new feature that highlights the ESU program. A button will soon appear in the Windows Update section of the Settings menu, facilitating user enrollment in the program.
This rollout is currently underway, with Microsoft assuring users that the button will be accessible to everyone before the end-of-life date on October 14, 2025. Some users may already notice this button beneath the “Check for Updates” option following the August 2025 updates. For those who have yet to see it, there’s no cause for alarm.
Microsoft has confirmed to Windows Latest that the rollout is gradual, and all users should have access to the button by the specified date. Even if it appears after the deadline, users will still have the opportunity to enroll in the ESU program for a full year following the end of Windows 10 support.
While the ESU program provides a crucial security option for those choosing to remain with Windows 10, it is not without cost. Standard users can expect to pay annually for access to these updates. This payment allows users to maintain their preference for a local Windows account rather than transitioning to a Microsoft account.
However, there are alternative pathways to obtain extended security updates. As noted by Windows Latest:
In case you’ve a Microsoft account, you can sync Windows settings to OneDrive, and ESU will get activated. Or you can spare 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points.
This approach suggests that Microsoft may be leveraging the ESU program, along with the broader narrative of Windows 10’s impending retirement, to promote its OneDrive cloud storage service. Additionally, the option to earn Microsoft Rewards points through purchases could encourage users to engage more with the Microsoft ecosystem.
As the transition unfolds, the question remains: Have you spotted the button to enroll in the ESU program? Will you take advantage of the extended security updates, or will you chart a different course?
Image credit: Monticelllo / Dreamstime.com
