Microsoft just quietly gave Windows 10 users another free year of security updates — extending the consumer ESU programme to October 2027. Here’s what ESU Year 2 actually covers, what it costs for businesses, and why it’s breathing room to upgrade, not a reason to stay.
ESU buys time — upgrading solves the problem. Genuine Windows 11 keys, instant delivery.
What Just Happened
On 25 June 2026, Microsoft silently updated its Windows 10 ESU documentation and added an editor’s note to a Windows Experience Blog post. No press release, no formal announcement — just a quiet one-liner confirming that the consumer Extended Security Updates programme now runs to 12 October 2027, a full year beyond the original end date.
The extension applies automatically. If your device is already enrolled in the free consumer ESU programme, it rolls over to the new date with no action required on your part. New enrolments remain open on the same terms — sign in with a Microsoft account and back up your settings, redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points, or pay the one-off $30 (approximately £25) fee. One licence covers up to 10 devices.
EEA users: If you’re in the European Economic Area, you can receive consumer ESU for free simply by signing in to Windows 10 with a Microsoft account — no Rewards points or payment required.
Consumer vs Enterprise ESU — Two Different Programmes
Microsoft runs two separate ESU tracks, and they work very differently. The consumer programme is straightforward and largely free. The enterprise programme is paid, cumulative, and increasingly expensive.
- Covers Windows 10 Home, Pro, Pro Education, Workstations (22H2)
- Free via MS account sync, 1,000 Rewards points, or $30/£25 one-off
- Up to 10 devices per licence
- Now extended to October 2027
- Not available for AD-joined, Entra-joined, or MDM-managed devices
- Year 2 price — doubled from $61 in Year 1
- Cumulative: late joiners must pay all prior years
- Available via Volume Licensing
- Maximum three years (to October 2028)
- Free on Azure VMs, Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktop
Cumulative pricing trap: If your organisation skipped Year 1 and wants to start ESU in Year 2, you must pay for both years — $61 + $122 = $183 per device minimum. Year 3 entry costs $427 per device ($61 + $122 + $244). The programme is designed to penalise late adopters.
What ESU Year 2 Actually Includes
ESU provides critical and important security patches as rated by the Microsoft Security Response Center (MSRC). That’s it. No feature updates, no non-security bug fixes, no design changes, and no technical support.
To be eligible, devices must be running Windows 10 version 22H2 with the latest cumulative updates installed. Older builds of Windows 10 are not covered — if you’re on 21H2 or earlier, you’ll need to update to 22H2 before ESU patches will install.
- New features or quality-of-life improvements
- Non-security bug fixes or reliability patches
- Technical support (enterprise customers need a separate Microsoft Unified support plan)
- Driver updates or hardware compatibility improvements
- Third-party software compatibility — apps are already dropping Windows 10 support independently
That last point is critical. ESU keeps the OS patched against known vulnerabilities, but it can’t prevent the wider software ecosystem from moving on. Chrome has already started restricting features to Windows 11. Driver support for new peripherals is thinning. And antivirus vendors will eventually follow — as they did when Windows 7 support wound down.
The Full ESU Timeline
| Period | Dates | Consumer | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | Oct 2025 – Oct 2026 | Free Free | $61/device Paid |
| Year 2 | Oct 2026 – Oct 2027 | Free Free Current | $122/device Paid |
| Year 3 | Oct 2027 – Oct 2028 | Not confirmed TBC | $244/device Paid |
Year 3 for consumers is not confirmed. Microsoft has now extended the free programme twice — once at launch, once in June 2026 — but there’s no guarantee of a third extension. Enterprise ESU runs for a maximum of three years regardless, ending in October 2028.
The Cost of Waiting vs Upgrading
For businesses, ESU is a rapidly escalating cost that doesn’t solve the underlying problem. Here’s how three years of enterprise ESU stacks up against a one-off Windows 11 licence.
3-Year Cumulative Cost Per Device
By Year 3, an organisation still paying for ESU has spent $427 per device — and at the end of it, they still need to upgrade. A Windows 11 licence from Software Supplies costs from and solves the problem permanently on day one.
Why ESU Is a Bridge, Not a Destination
The free consumer extension is good news — it gives millions of people more time to plan an upgrade without running an unpatched operating system. But it doesn’t change the direction of travel. Windows 10 is a shrinking platform, and the ecosystem around it is contracting.
- Google Chrome is restricting features like passkey management to Windows 11
- New hardware drivers increasingly target Windows 11 only
- UK cyber insurers are beginning to require supported operating systems as a policy condition
- Microsoft 365 app support on Windows 10 is winding down
ESU patches the security holes, but it can’t keep the rest of the software stack running. The smart move is to use this breathing room to upgrade — not to treat it as permission to wait indefinitely.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Windows 10 ESU free?
For personal devices, yes. You can enrol for free by backing up your Windows settings to a Microsoft account, redeeming 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points, or paying a one-off $30 (approximately £25) fee. Enterprise and education customers pay per device through Volume Licensing — $122 per device for Year 2.
How long do Windows 10 security updates last now?
Consumer ESU now runs until 12 October 2027, following Microsoft’s June 2026 extension. Enterprise ESU is available for up to three years, ending October 2028. After these dates, Windows 10 will receive no further updates of any kind.
Do I need to pay for Year 1 if I start ESU in Year 2?
For enterprise customers, yes — ESU is cumulative. If you enrol in Year 2, you must pay for Year 1 retroactively ($61 + $122 = $183 per device). Consumer ESU doesn’t have this issue — you simply enrol and receive coverage through to October 2027.
What does Windows 10 ESU actually include?
Critical and important security patches only — as rated by the Microsoft Security Response Center. ESU does not include new features, non-security bug fixes, driver updates, or technical support. It keeps the OS patched, but nothing more.
Will Windows 10 still work after October 2027?
Yes — your PC won’t stop working. But without security updates, every new vulnerability discovered in Windows 10 becomes a permanent, unfixed hole. Enterprise customers can purchase Year 3 ESU (to October 2028), but consumer coverage beyond 2027 has not been confirmed.
Should I stay on ESU or upgrade to Windows 11?
Upgrade. ESU is a useful bridge — it keeps your machine patched while you plan your next move. But Windows 10 is a shrinking platform. Software compatibility, driver support, and security coverage are all contracting. A genuine Windows 11 licence costs from and solves the problem permanently.
How do I enrol in Windows 10 ESU?
Go to Settings → Windows Update. If your device is running Windows 10 version 22H2 with the latest updates installed, you’ll see an option to enrol. You can also visit Microsoft’s ESU programme page for step-by-step instructions. Enterprise customers purchase ESU through Volume Licensing and activate via a Multiple Activation Key (MAK).
Is Windows 10 ESU available for businesses?
Yes, through the Volume Licensing programme at $122 per device for Year 2. Organisations with Enterprise Agreements or Microsoft 365 subscriptions may qualify for discounted rates. Windows 10 virtual machines running on Azure, Windows 365, or Azure Virtual Desktop receive ESU at no additional cost.
Use the breathing room — upgrade for
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Gary Walsh is the Head of Tech Support at Software Supplies, with more than 20 years in the IT industry. Fully Microsoft-certified and experienced across the full business software stack — from Windows and Office to cloud infrastructure and device management — Gary delivers practical, no-nonsense advice that helps users and businesses get the most from their technology.
