Windows 10 ESU Compatibility Issues: Offering Windows 11 Upgrade for Some PCs

If you’re facing the issue where Windows 10 indicates that the Extended Security Update (ESU) is temporarily unavailable, you’re not alone—particularly if you’re located in Europe. A significant number of users have reported difficulties in registering for Windows 10 ESU, especially given that the operating system has reached its end of support as of October 14, 2025. The critical patch is set for release on November 11, exclusively for those who have obtained ESU.

Windows 10 ESU error — Image Courtesy: WindowsLatest.com

A Dutch user reported an instance on October 20, 2025, showing that Windows 10 ESU remains unavailable. The Windows Update message stated that the OS is no longer supported and would not receive further updates. Users are prompted to either enroll in Extended Security Updates (ESU) or review the requirements for upgrading to Windows 11.

However, clicking the “Enroll now” option might result in an alert stating that “ESU Enrollment available soon, ” followed by a message indicating that “Enrollment for Windows 10 Extended Security Updates is temporarily unavailable in your region.” Microsoft has yet to provide a timeline for when the ESU will be accessible.

Understanding Microsoft’s ESU Rollout

In response to inquiries about the situation, Microsoft has clarified that the ESU rollout is staggered, particularly influenced by regional market conditions. The tech giant informed Windows Latest that “the enrollment experience for the Windows 10 Extended Security Updates (ESU) program may vary depending on local factors.”

The company elaborated that ESU enrollment for Windows 10 customers in the European Economic Area (EEA) was slated to start in early October, with availability commencing on October 15, 2025. However, they emphasized that the latest Windows update is a prerequisite for enrollment in ESU.

Additionally, Microsoft indicated that various changes regarding ESU options within the EU could lead to delays for some users, implying that if you are experiencing difficulties with the ESU enrollment, it is a widespread issue impacting specific regions.

Many users may find this puzzling. Microsoft had previously assured that the ESU enrollment option would be accessible to everyone by early October. For users outside the European regions, ESU became available as early as September, and even in August for those who had installed the optional monthly updates. Yet, as we approach November, several users are still unable to access ESU.

The “Something Went Wrong”Error

Users in the United States and various other regions may encounter a different error—the dreaded “Something went wrong” message when trying to access ESU through Windows Update.

The error notification states, “We can’t enroll you in Extended Security Updates right now. Close this window and try again.”

Something went wrong error in Windows 10 ESU

Our investigation at Windows Latest indicates that this “Something went wrong” screen appears when Windows determines that your system does not meet the eligibility criteria for ESU as a consumer.

The first reason could be that your location is within an unsupported region, which, according to reports, includes areas like Russia.
The second possibility is that Windows has classified your PC as part of an organization, necessitating a business payment for Extended Security Updates.

Interestingly, even some consumer PCs may be misidentified as business devices. For instance, if a work account was previously connected to your machine or remnants of a past work or school connection linger, the ESU system might incorrectly classify your regular PC as an enterprise device.

To remedy this, it is advisable to completely disconnect any work or school accounts and delete any associated folders within File Explorer.

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