Nov
With Windows 10 officially reaching end-of-support on 14 October 2025, many people worry what happens to PCs that cannot be upgraded to Windows 11 due to older hardware.
The good news: if you enrol in Extended Security Updates (ESU), you can continue receiving important security updates — at least for a limited time.
In this post, I’ll walk you through how to keep Windows 10 safe and patched via ESU, especially if you’re stuck on older hardware that won’t run Windows 11. I’ll also explain what ESU does — and doesn’t — cover, and what you should plan long-term.
What is Windows 10 End of Support (EOL) — and Why ESU Matters.
🎯 End of Support Means: No More Free Updates
- Microsoft ended official support for Windows 10 on 14 October 2025.
- That means no more free security updates, no feature updates, no bug fixes, and no technical support from Microsoft for most users.
- Devices will still run — but will gradually become more vulnerable to new security threats and compatibility problems.
✅ What ESU (Extended Security Updates) Does
- ESU lets eligible Windows 10 devices keep receiving critical and important security patches, even after the end-of-support date.
- It’s effectively a “bridge” for users who cannot (or choose not to) upgrade to Windows 11 — for example, because their hardware doesn’t meet Windows 11 requirements.
- Importantly: ESU does not provide new features, performance improvements, or general support. It’s strictly about security patches.
Who Qualifies for ESU — and What the Limitations Are
| Requirement / Limitation | Details |
|---|---|
| OS version | Must be running Windows 10 version 22H2 before enrolling. |
| Device eligibility | Any PC that still runs Windows 10 — including older hardware that can’t run Windows 11. ESU is for legacy devices. |
| What you get | Only security updates (critical/important). No new features, bug fixes outside security, or Microsoft technical support. |
| Duration | For consumers: ESU can keep patches rolling until October 13, 2026. For businesses/schools: support may extend longer (through 2028). |
| Not a permanent solution | ESU is temporary — a “grace period,” not a replacement for upgrading or migrating away. |
Step-by-Step: How to Enrol in ESU (Even With Older Hardware)
If your PC won’t qualify for Windows 11 but is still running Windows 10 (22H2), here’s how to get ESU:
- Install all pending Windows 10 updates first. Your PC must be up to date before enrolling.
- Open Settings → Update & Security → Windows Update.
- You should see a message like “Your version of Windows is no longer supported”, and — if eligible — a link or button to “Enroll now”.
- Click Enroll now, and follow prompts. You may be asked to:
- Sign in with a Microsoft account (if not already).
- Backup PC settings — or choose one of the ESU purchase options (depending on region: free, using Microsoft Rewards, or paid ESU)
- Once enrolled, expect to see a confirmation like “Your PC is enrolled to get Extended Security Updates” under the Windows Update settings.
- After that, critical security updates will continue arriving through Windows Update — just as before.
⚠️ If the “Enroll now” link does not appear: You might try manually forcing the ESU wizard by opening your browser and entering this address in the address bar: ms-settings:windowsupdate-esu?OCID=WEB_EOS_CY25_ESU&source=WEB — this reportedly triggers the ESU enrollment prompt.
What ESU Means (and Doesn’t Mean) — Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- You get security patches, which significantly reduces risk of malware, exploits, and vulnerabilities — important for older hardware.
- You can keep using your existing PC without replacing hardware or upgrading to Windows 11.
- It gives you time: if you plan a gradual hardware upgrade, migrate applications, or transition to a different OS, ESU acts as a “safety net.”
⚠️ Cons / Limitations
- No new features, no performance improvements — ESU only delivers security updates. Microsoft Learn+1
- No technical support from Microsoft — you’re on your own if something breaks. Microsoft Learn+1
- Time-limited: ESU is a temporary bridge, not a permanent solution. Especially for consumers — support through only October 2026. Wikipedia+2Computer Lounge+2
- Eventually, hardware and software ecosystem will drift — app makers, drivers, and peripherals may drop support for legacy systems.
Alternatives / Complementary Options to ESU
If your hardware can’t run Windows 11 — or you prefer not to pay for ESU — you may consider:
- Switching to a different operating system (for example, a modern Linux distribution) — especially if your PC is older and mainly used for basic tasks. hexnode.com+1
- Using additional security tools (antivirus, firewalls), although these cannot replace Windows security patches entirely. Computer Help+1
- Gradually planning a hardware upgrade or replacement — long-term, this is the safest route.
Long-Term Recommendation: Use ESU as a Short-Term Safety Net
For older hardware that fails Windows 11’s requirements — ESU offers a useful and practical stop-gap. It lets you keep receiving security updates, keeping your system safer for another year or two.
However, because ESU does not include new features, stability improvements, or ongoing technical support, you should treat it as a temporary lifeline, not a permanent fix.
Think of ESU as a buying-time tool: use it to schedule backups, migrate data, evaluate hardware or OS-replacement options, and eventually plan an upgrade or transition.
Conclusion
If you’re running Windows 10 on hardware that won’t upgrade to Windows 11 — don’t panic. You still have a viable option: enrol in ESU (Extended Security Updates) to keep getting essential security updates. Follow the steps above to enrol, and enjoy a bit more time to plan your next move.
Just remember — ESU is temporary, and doesn’t give you new features or full support. For long-term security, you’ll eventually need to either upgrade hardware/OS, or consider alternate platforms.
Stay safe — and plan ahead.
What ESU Means (and Doesn’t Mean) — Pros & Cons.
✅ Pros
- You get security patches, which significantly reduces risk of malware, exploits, and vulnerabilities — important for older hardware.
- You can keep using your existing PC without replacing hardware or upgrading to Windows 11.
- It gives you time: if you plan a gradual hardware upgrade, migrate applications, or transition to a different OS, ESU acts as a “safety net.”
⚠️ Cons / Limitations
- No new features, no performance improvements — ESU only delivers security updates.
- No technical support from Microsoft — you’re on your own if something breaks.
- Time-limited: ESU is a temporary bridge, not a permanent solution. Especially for consumers — support through only October 2026.
- Eventually, hardware and software ecosystem will drift — app makers, drivers, and peripherals may drop support for legacy systems.
Alternatives / Complementary Options to ESU
If your hardware can’t run Windows 11 — or you prefer not to pay for ESU — you may consider:
- Switching to a different operating system (for example, a modern Linux distribution) — especially if your PC is older and mainly used for basic tasks.
- Using additional security tools (antivirus, firewalls), although these cannot replace Windows security patches entirely.
- Gradually planning a hardware upgrade or replacement — long-term, this is the safest route.
Long-Term Recommendation: Use ESU as a Short-Term Safety Net
For older hardware that fails Windows 11’s requirements — ESU offers a useful and practical stop-gap. It lets you keep receiving security updates, keeping your system safer for another year or two.
However, because ESU does not include new features, stability improvements, or ongoing technical support, you should treat it as a temporary lifeline, not a permanent fix.
Think of ESU as a buying-time tool: use it to schedule backups, migrate data, evaluate hardware or OS-replacement options, and eventually plan an upgrade or transition.
Conclusion
If you’re running Windows 10 on hardware that won’t upgrade to Windows 11 — don’t panic. You still have a viable option: enrol in ESU (Extended Security Updates) to keep getting essential security updates. Follow the steps above to enrol, and enjoy a bit more time to plan your next move.
Just remember — ESU is temporary, and doesn’t give you new features or full support. For long-term security, you’ll eventually need to either upgrade hardware/OS, or consider alternate platforms.
Stay safe — and plan ahead.
