- The Windows 10 scheme for extended updates is already open
- You can register with your Microsoft account and obtain free updates (if you synchronize the configuration of your PC with OneDrive)
- The registration wizard to access the scheme seems to be implemented, but should see it very soon
Windows 10 users can now register to obtain extended updates, which means that security patches are delivered beyond the end -of -support deadline to keep the PC safe.
As it is undoubtedly aware, it does not spend much time before the end of the life of Windows 10, when Microsoft stops supplying security updates (or characteristics updates). This happens on October 14, 2025, and after that date, a PC without updates will be potentially open to exploits.
The extended security updates program (ESU) allows Windows 10 users to register for another year of updates, until October 2026, and registration for that scheme has now opened to consumers.
In a blog post (mainly belonging to the most recent update of Windows 11 and the pile of new functions of AI in it), Microsoft explains that: “As of today, people will begin to see a registration assistant through notifications and configurations, which makes it easy to select the best option for you and inscribe in ESU directly from your personal PC with Windows 10”.
How to register for the extended security updates program
At this point, he could be scratching his head and asking: So where is this registration assistant?
As Microsoft observes previously, you can see an emerging notification in Windows 10 that offers a link to register in the ESU scheme, and can obviously use it if you see it. Otherwise, you can go to Windows Update (in configuration), where you must find a link to the same end, although you may have to wait for your time.
In the Windows update panel, you can see a link to ‘register now’ for extended security updates, either where it verifies the updates (at the top) or with the links on the right side. I still can’t see this on my PC with Windows 10, but this YouTube video (from Thiojoe) shows where the links should be visible.
The reason I can’t see this is presumably because deployment has not yet started completely. As Microsoft says in the blog post, consumers “will begin to see” the registration assistant, which means that the deployment has not yet reached everyone. You may either see it, and it’s just a case of being a patient, nobody should have much to wait at this time.
Whatever the case, when clicking to register, if it is not registered in a Microsoft account, you must do it. This is because it must be registered for the scheme, and also if you want to obtain the year of additionally updates for free, you must start to verify that you have synchronized the configuration of your PC using the Windows backup application.
That is the alternative way to register for the ESU, instead of paying a $ 30 rate (or using Microsoft rewards, which is a third option). Keep in mind that you do not have to use the Windows backup to make a complete backup of your system to obtain free updates, you only need to synchronize the configuration of your PC with OneDrive using this application, which seems like a relatively small price to be paid (compared to $ 30, certainly).
Those who have already synchronized the configuration in this way can click directly and get the ESU offer for free without problems.
According to YouTuber Thiojoe, it is possible to log in to a Microsoft account to obtain the ESU on its PC, then change to a local account later, and still receive additional updates for 2026 on that computer. In case you were curious about that tactic, it works, or so they tell us, anyway.
