Windows 10 Support Has Ended, But Heres How To Get An Extra Year For Free Still running Windows 10 on your PC? You should know that as of October 14, Microsoft moved the software to its end of life phase. This means that while your Windows 10 PC will continue to function, it will stop receiving crucial security updates by default, leaving it increasingly vulnerable to malware over time. The good news is you have options to keep your computer secure. You can upgrade to Windows 11 for free if your computer is compatible. You can buy a new PC with Windows 11 pre-installed or choose an alternative like a Mac or Chromebook. Or, you can sign up for the Extended Security Updates program, which gives you one more year of security patches. This third option is now free for many users, and here is how to do it. How to sign up for Windows 10 Extended Security Updates on your computer Enrolling in Extended Security Updates will provide you with another year of critical security updates for Windows 10, buying you time to plan your next move. While Microsoft initially suggested a fee, there is now a free path for users in the US. Follow these steps. Step 1: Make sure your PC is up to date Check your current Windows version by going to Settings, then System, and then About. Scroll down to see your version. If it is not the latest, install all available Windows 10 updates. Step 2: Make sure you are using an administrator account You must be signed into the administrator account to enroll. This is usually the first account created on the computer. You can verify this under Settings and then Your Info, where you should see Administrator under your account name. Step 3: Verify if your PC is eligible to upgrade to Windows 11 or not If you see an option to upgrade to Windows 11, you should take it. It is free and keeps you supported. If your PC is not eligible, proceed with the following steps to enroll in ESU. Step 4: Enroll in Extended Security Updates Go to Settings, then Update and Security. Look for and click the Enroll Now link. If you do not see this link, you likely need to install the latest Windows 10 updates first. Step 5: Choose your upgrade method The easiest and free method involves backing up your PC settings to the cloud. You will need to link your Windows login to Microsofts cloud service. Many users have already done this if they use services like OneDrive or Office 365. There are two important catches for US users. First, you must link your local Windows login to a Microsoft cloud account. Second, the free backup only covers the first 5 GB of storage. If you have more data, you may need to pay for additional OneDrive storage or adjust your backup settings by toggling off folders like Documents, Pictures, and Videos in the OneDrive settings to stay under the limit. Once you are signed in, a window will pop up asking you to Add this device to receive Extended Security Updates. Click Add Device to enroll and then click Done. Thats it, you are done until next year You have successfully secured another 12 months of security updates for your Windows 10 PC. This gives you a full year to decide on your long-term plan, whether that is eventually upgrading to a new computer or finding another solution. If anything changes with the program next year, we will provide updates on what to do next.
