Microsoft ended free support for Windows 10 on 14 October 2025. That means no more free security patches unless you take one of the actions below. In short: home users can get free protection until October 2027, but business PCs need a different, paid arrangement. Here’s exactly what applies to you.
Why This Matters
When a security flaw is found in an operating system, Microsoft normally patches it within weeks. Once support ends, those flaws simply stop getting fixed. Your computer keeps running exactly as before, it just gets progressively more vulnerable every time a new exploit is discovered, because nobody is closing the door behind it.
If This Is a Home or Personal Computer
Microsoft is giving home users a genuine, no-catch safety net. Through the consumer Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, a Windows 10 (version 22H2) PC can keep receiving critical security patches through until 12 October 2027 — a full extra two years. You can enrol three ways:
- Free, if you sync your PC settings to a Microsoft account
- Free, by redeeming 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points
- Or a one-time payment of $30 USD if neither of the above applies to you
One licence covers up to 10 devices. To enrol: go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and look for the “Enrol now” prompt.
If This Is a Business Computer
This is the part that trips people up: the free consumer path above generally doesn’t apply to machines used for work, particularly anything managed via volume licensing or joined to a work domain. Business ESU is a separate, paid program, purchased through volume licensing, priced per device, with the price increasing each year it’s renewed. It also requires a proper activation key rather than a simple Settings toggle (Microsoft’s commercial ESU documentation covers the technical steps).
If you run Windows PCs for business, the practical move is a quick conversation with your IT provider about whether your machines genuinely need the paid commercial arrangement, or whether they qualify for the free consumer path, and to get current pricing, since Microsoft’s business pricing can change.
Why Businesses Should Take This Seriously
- Cyber insurance: Some business insurance policies now expect covered systems to run currently supported software. It’s worth checking with your insurer or broker whether an unsupported operating system affects your cover, before you need to make a claim.
- Compliance: If you handle customer payment details or personal information, running unpatched software works against you if there’s ever a breach investigation.
- It only gets worse over time: the gap between supported and unsupported systems widens every month new vulnerabilities are found and never patched.
What to Actually Do, Step by Step
- Check if your PC can run Windows 11. Many machines from the last five to six years can, often with a simple settings change. See our guide, Can Your PC Run Windows 11? How to Check (and What to Do If It Can’t).
- If it can’t upgrade yet, enrol in ESU now (the right one, consumer or business) rather than leaving it exposed while you plan next steps.
- Budget for a hardware refresh if your machines are genuinely too old. Treat ESU as breathing room, not a permanent fix.
Need a Hand?
If you’re not sure whether your home or business PCs are still supported, which ESU path applies to you, or what your options are, get in touch through the contact form on our homepage. We can check your devices, enrol you in the right ESU program, or talk through an upgrade path that fits your budget.