Windows 10 stopped receiving free security updates on October 14, 2025. That date marked the end of mainstream support for Microsoft's most popular operating system, now powering roughly 65% of all Windows PCs worldwide. For millions of users, the clock is ticking.

Microsoft's solution? Pay up. For the first time, individual consumers can purchase Extended Security Updates (ESU) for their Windows 10 machines. The cost: $30 per device for one additional year of critical patches, ending October 13, 2026. After that, Windows 10 becomes a digital relic—unsupported and increasingly dangerous to use online.

The Final Deadline

The Windows 10 lifecycle has three phases: mainstream support, extended support, and end of life. Mainstream support ended on May 9, 2023. Extended support—which includes only security fixes—continued until October 14, 2025. Now, the only way to get updates is via the ESU program.

Businesses have had ESU options for years, paying per-device fees that increase annually. In April 2024, Microsoft announced a consumer ESU program for the first time, acknowledging that many home users would not—or could not—upgrade to Windows 11. The $30 flat fee covers all security patches released between October 2025 and October 2026. There is no second year for consumers; after October 13, 2026, the ESU faucet shuts off permanently.

Extended Security Updates: A Lifeline for One More Year

The consumer ESU program includes only “critical” and “important” security updates rated by Microsoft's Security Response Center. No new features, no design changes, no driver updates, and no technical support beyond the security patches themselves. A Microsoft account is required to sign up, and enrollment can happen anytime during the ESU period. If you join late, you still receive all past patches upon installation.

Crucially, the $30 is a one-time fee for 12 months of updates. There is no monthly subscription and no automatic renewal. Microsoft has stated plainly there will be no extension beyond that year. This is a temporary bridge, not a new support lifecycle.

Price and Process for Consumers

To purchase ESU, users visit the Microsoft Store on their Windows 10 device and search for “Windows 10 Extended Security Updates.” After payment, they download a license key tied to their Microsoft account. Existing Windows Update mechanisms then deliver ESU patches just like any other monthly update. Patches will be released on Patch Tuesday (the second Tuesday of each month) through October 2026.

Schools and educational institutions can get ESU licenses for as low as $1 per device, and nonprofits have their own discounted tiers. But for the average home user, $30 is the price of one more year of breathing room.

Cleaning Up: Preparing for Migration or Sale

Before buying another year of patches, consider whether your PC should even remain a Windows 10 machine. Microsoft recommends two primary paths: upgrade to Windows 11 or buy a new PC. If neither is immediately possible, ESU buys time to wipe and repurpose the old hardware safely.

A thorough digital cleanup before migration ensures no personal data leaks to the next owner. Windows 10 includes a “Fresh Start” option (Settings → Update & Security → Recovery → Learn how to start fresh). It reinstalls Windows cleanly without the manufacturer’s bloatware, preserving nothing but your files. For a complete wipe, use the “Remove everything” option under Reset this PC. Both methods allow you to choose between a quick format and a more secure, lengthier wipe that overwrites the drive multiple times—especially important if you plan to sell or donate the device.

For those moving to a new PC, Windows’ built-in tool “Transwiz” or simply OneDrive can transfer files and settings. Back up everything to an external drive or cloud storage before nuking the old installation.

Upgrade to Windows 11: Is Your PC Ready?

Windows 11 launched in October 2021 with strict hardware requirements: an 8th-generation Intel Core processor or newer, AMD Ryzen 2000 or newer, TPM 2.0, Secure Boot capable, and at least 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage. The cutoff left hundreds of millions of perfectly functional PCs behind. Microsoft’s own PC Health Check app tells you instantly if your device qualifies.

If your PC meets the bar, upgrading is free—your Windows 10 license transfers automatically. Use the Windows 11 Installation Assistant or wait for the upgrade to appear in Windows Update. The process typically takes under an hour and retains all files and settings.

If your PC doesn’t meet requirements, you have three choices: buy a new Windows 11 PC, install Linux, or use unofficial workarounds to run Windows 11 on unsupported hardware. The latter is not recommended: Microsoft warns that unsupported PCs may not receive security updates and may suffer compatibility issues. However, many tech enthusiasts have reported stable experiences by bypassing TPM and CPU checks via registry edits or tools like Rufus. Still, for average consumers, the risk isn’t worth it.

Repurposing Your Old PC: Giving It a Second Life

A PC that can’t run Windows 11 isn’t e-waste. Here are proven alternatives to extend its usefulness beyond the October 2026 cliff.

Install a Beginner-Friendly Linux Distribution

Ubuntu, Linux Mint, Zorin OS, and Elementary OS offer Windows-like interfaces with light hardware demands. Zorin OS even includes a paid “Pro” version with additional desktop layouts mimicking Windows 10/11. These operating systems receive free updates for years, revive old hardware, and run most web-based apps without issue. The learning curve is modest—if your computing revolves around a browser, you’ll barely notice the switch.

Convert It into a Dedicated Home Server

Old PCs make excellent media servers (Plex, Jellyfin), file servers (TrueNAS, OpenMediaVault), or home automation hubs (Home Assistant). A low-power fourth-gen Intel Core i5 can stream 4K video to multiple devices while sipping electricity. Adding a couple of large hard drives turns a dormant desktop into a personal cloud.

Schools and nonprofits still accept functional Windows 10 PCs if they’re under the ESU umbrella or repurposed with Linux. Online marketplaces like Swappa or eBay show steady demand for older laptops under $200. Before handing off, perform the secure wipe mentioned earlier and provide the buyer with a freshly installed OS (Windows 10 with ESU license, or Linux).

What Happens If You Do Nothing?

A Windows 10 PC without ESU will still power on, launch apps, and browse the web. But every month brings a widening chasm of unpatched vulnerabilities. Past end-of-support operating systems like Windows XP and Windows 7 became magnets for malware within weeks of their final patch cycles. Cybercriminals reverse-engineer newly released Windows 11 patches to find holes in the shared Windows 10 codebase, then craft exploits knowing millions of machines will never receive fixes.

Antivirus software provides a partial shield, but it cannot substitute for OS-level security patches. The Zero Day Initiative reported that 83% of all zero-day exploits in 2024 targeted Windows systems. Running an unsupported OS in 2026 is like locking your front door while leaving all windows open.

The Hard Deadline Approaches

Microsoft has already begun nagging Windows 10 diehards with full-screen prompts and taskbar watermarks reminding them to act. These nudges intensify after the October 2025 deadline. ESU enrollment temporarily silences them until the 2026 expiration.

For businesses still deep in Windows 10 deployment, the calculation is different. Volume licensing ESU plans offer up to three additional years (through 2028) at escalating costs, but the consumer program is a one-off. Microsoft desperately wants you on Windows 11 or a new Copilot+ PC, not a decade-old OS.

The Bottom Line

October 14, 2025, changed nothing—and everything. Windows 10 didn't suddenly stop working, but from that day forward, every new security flaw became a permanent threat. The $30 ESU option is a bargain for anyone who needs a year to plan a migration, save for a new device, or repurpose old hardware. Waiting until October 2026 to decide, however, is a mistake. Start planning now: run the PC Health Check, back up files, and choose your path—upgrade, repurpose, or pay $30 for temporary peace of mind.

The clock is running.