Exclusive Preview of the “Stay on Windows 10 for Free” ESU Tool Post-October 14

Upcoming End of Windows 10 Support and How to Extend It

Windows 10 support is scheduled to conclude on October 14, 2025. However, users don’t need to panic; extending support up until October 13, 2026 is very much possible. According to Microsoft, simply signing in with a Microsoft account and syncing your system settings to OneDrive will enable this extension at no extra cost. I’ve personally tested this “free upgrade” enrollment feature and can attest to its efficiency.

Quick Enrollment Process

During my tests, the enrollment process took mere seconds. Users can find the “Enroll now” button conveniently located in the Windows Update section, usually on the right side or sometimes below the “Check for updates” option.

Enroll into Windows 10 extended security updates

Upon clicking the “Enroll now” button, a pop-up window titled “Enroll in Extended Security Updates” will appear, clearly indicating that this action will help extend your security updates past the October 2025 deadline.

Enroll in Extended Security Updates to stay protected

Requirements for Extended Security Updates

Once in the enrollment screen, the process continues in a wizard-like sequence. It will automatically verify whether you meet the necessary criteria to secure Extended Security Updates. It’s vital to note that you do not need to fulfill the requirements for upgrading to Windows 11 to qualify for these updates.

Link your local PC to a Microsoft account.
Have a Microsoft Rewards account with at least 1, 000 points, which allows you to bypass the Microsoft account requirement.
Alternatively, pay a fee of $30 to retain Windows 10 safety with a local account.

If you haven’t established a Microsoft account yet, expect a prompt to do so. You may also consider visiting the Microsoft Rewards page. If neither of these options works for you, the $30 payment can extend your support, although the payment portal is currently unavailable.

Confirmation of Successful Enrollment

After successfully fulfilling one of the above requirements, you will receive confirmation through a success screen:

It’s important to understand that your Extended Security Updates license is tied to the Microsoft account, meaning it cannot be utilized to activate other devices. However, if you own multiple PCs, you can link each of their licenses to the same Microsoft account.

Final Thoughts on Windows 10’s Future

One significant point of interest is that Microsoft has not emphasized the end date of the Extended Security Updates program—October 13, 2026—perhaps indicating their hope that many users will transition to Windows 11 well before then. Nonetheless, whether this migration will occur largely depends on the motivations and necessities presented to users.

As of now, the enrollment feature is limited to participants in the Windows Insider Program. It doesn’t matter if you’re on the Beta or Release Preview Ring; all that is required is your inclusion in the program to test this feature. However, Microsoft has indicated that the “Enroll now” button will soon be available to all users, making it more accessible in the coming weeks.

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