Windows 10 Security Updates Extended to 2027: What Changed

No, free security updates for Windows 10 did not end on October 13, 2026, even though plenty of websites still say they did. In late June 2026, Microsoft quietly extended its free consumer Extended Security Updates (ESU) program to October 12, 2027. A different deadline did pass on October 13, 2026, though: Windows 11 version 24H2 Home and Pro stopped getting updates. Those are two separate things, and mixing them up is why so many people are confused right now.

The Dates That Matter, in Plain English

October 14, 2025: Windows 10 reached its official end of support. Regular updates, new features and free phone support from Microsoft stopped. From that point, the only way to keep getting security fixes was to enroll in Extended Security Updates. Extended Security Updates (ESU) is Microsoft's program that keeps sending security fixes to Windows 10 computers after official support has ended, and home users can join it for free.

October 13, 2026: this is the date most articles still list as the end of free Windows 10 security updates. It was the original end of the consumer ESU program. It no longer is.

October 12, 2027: the new end date for consumer ESU. If your Windows 10 PC is enrolled, it keeps getting security fixes until then.

October 13, 2026 (again): Windows 11 version 24H2 Home and Pro received their last update. This one has nothing to do with Windows 10. It affects Windows 11 computers that haven't moved to a newer version yet.

What Microsoft Changed in June 2026

There was no big announcement. Microsoft updated its ESU documentation and added an editor's note to a Windows blog post, which BleepingComputer reported on June 25, 2026. Microsoft's own Windows 10 ESU page now lists October 12, 2027 as the end date. That's why so many pages written before the summer never caught up, and why searching for the answer still turns up the old date.

If your PC was already enrolled, you don't have to do anything. Coverage carries on automatically to October 12, 2027. If it wasn't enrolled, you can still sign up. Keep in mind what ESU covers: security fixes rated Critical or Important, and nothing else. No new features, no bug fixes and no Microsoft support. It only works on Windows 10 version 22H2 in the Home, Pro, Pro Education or Workstation editions.

How to Check If Your Windows 10 PC Is Enrolled

Open Start, go to Settings, then Update & Security, then Windows Update. The page shows whether the PC is enrolled in Extended Security Updates. If it isn't, there's an Enroll now link. You'll be asked to sign in with a Microsoft account. Then pick one of three options. You can back up your PC settings to that account with Windows Backup, which is free. You can redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points, also free. Or you can make a one-time purchase of US$30 plus tax. One enrollment covers up to 10 PCs signed in to the same Microsoft account.

If you see a message saying your version of Windows 10 can't be enrolled, the PC probably isn't on version 22H2 yet. Install every update Windows Update offers, restart, and check again.

The Windows 11 Deadline That Did Pass

If your computer already runs Windows 11, the date to care about was October 13, 2026. That's when version 24H2 of Windows 11 Home and Pro got its final security update. Computers stuck on 24H2 are now unprotected, even though they run Windows 11. (Enterprise and Education editions of 24H2 are supported until October 12, 2027, but most home computers run Home or Pro.)

To check your version, click Start, type winver and press Enter. A small window shows the version number. If it says 24H2, open Settings, then Windows Update, and install the Windows 11 2026 Update (version 26H2), which Microsoft recommends. It's a small update, not a reinstall, and it finishes with a single restart. Your files and programs stay where they are.

When Staying on Windows 10 for Now Makes Sense

Not everyone needs to rush to Windows 11. A customer came to me worried about the Windows 11 upgrade notifications that kept popping up on his computer. He relies on older, business-critical custom software that isn't guaranteed to work on Windows 11, and he wanted to stay on Windows 10 so that software would keep running. We enrolled his PC in Extended Security Updates, installed every pending update, and have kept it up to date since. He's still on Windows 10 with his custom software today, his computer keeps getting security fixes, and things are working really well.

If you're in the same spot, this is exactly what ESU is for. The extension to October 2027 gives you another year to ask the software maker about a Windows 11 version or plan a replacement, without running an unprotected computer in the meantime.

Why October 2027 Is Still a Real Deadline

The extension buys time. It doesn't fix the problem. Microsoft hasn't promised to extend consumer ESU again, so it's safest to treat October 12, 2027 as the last day your Windows 10 PC is protected. After that, using it for banking, email or shopping online gets riskier every month.

Use the extra year to plan instead of scrambling. Many Windows 10 computers can move to Windows 11. I do Windows 11 upgrades for $60, after a free diagnostic confirms the computer can actually run it. Some older machines need an SSD first, and some can't run Windows 11 at all because of their processor or security chip. If that's yours, it's worth reading whether to repair or replace an older computer before spending money on it. A tested refurbished laptop from $399 already running Windows 11 is often cheaper than people expect, and I can move your files and settings over so it feels familiar from day one.

A Warning About Scam Calls and Pop-Ups

Confusion about deadlines is exactly what scammers count on. Microsoft won't phone you about Windows 10 updates, and a real Windows message never asks you to call a number. If a pop-up says your Windows has expired or your computer is infected and tells you to call for help, close the browser and don't call. If you already let someone connect to your computer, turn it off and get it checked for malware before you use it for banking again.

Not Sure Which One Applies to You?

If you'd rather not dig through settings menus, bring the computer in or call me. I'll check whether it's on Windows 10 or Windows 11, whether it's enrolled in ESU or on a supported Windows 11 version, and what your options are, before any work begins. You'll get a straight answer about whether it makes sense to upgrade, repair or replace, and what any of it will cost.