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On an eligible personal PC, open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, select the Windows 10 Extended Security Updates (ESU) enrollment link, choose Enroll now, and sign in with an administrator Microsoft account. If the computer is owned or managed by an organization, do not use this consumer process; commercial ESU uses volume licensing and a Multiple Activation Key instead.
What Windows 10 ESU provides
Windows 10 reached end of support on October 14, 2025. Consumer ESU keeps an eligible personal installation receiving critical and important security updates through Windows Update after normal support ends. It is a security-maintenance extension, not a new Windows feature track.
ESU does not add feature updates, product enhancements, nonsecurity fixes, or general Windows technical support. The PC continues to operate after end of support, but without ESU Microsoft no longer supplies feature updates, quality updates (including security and reliability fixes), or general technical support for the ended version. See Microsoft’s Windows end-of-support information for the general policy.
Enrolling in ESU does not block a later Windows 11 upgrade. If the computer subsequently meets Windows 11 hardware requirements, you can upgrade normally. ESU is therefore a bridge for a computer that needs more time, not a substitute for a migration plan.
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Check consumer eligibility before you start
The enrollment link appears only when Windows detects the required edition, update level, account type, and device status. Check each item before troubleshooting a missing offer.
| Requirement | What must be true |
|---|---|
| Windows release | Windows 10 version 22H2. |
| Supported editions | Home, Professional, Pro Education, or Pro for Workstations. |
| Updates | The latest available Windows update is installed, including the Windows 10 ESU Licensing Preparation Package, KB5126256. |
| Account | An administrator Microsoft account that is not a child account. The ESU license is associated with the Microsoft account used during enrollment. |
| Device management | A personal, non-kiosk PC that is not domain-joined, Microsoft Entra-joined, or enrolled in mobile-device management (MDM). A Microsoft Entra-registered device remains eligible for consumer ESU. |
| Existing license | The computer must not already have an ESU license. |
To check the Windows release and edition, press Windows key + R, type winver, and press Enter. The dialog should identify Windows 10 version 22H2. You can also open Settings > System > About and review Windows specifications.
Install all offered updates first: open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, select Check for updates, install what Windows offers, and restart when required. Return to the same page after the restart so Windows can evaluate the ESU prerequisites again. The preparation package is a prerequisite, so a system that is several update cycles behind may need more than one restart.
Distinguish an Entra registration from an Entra join. Registration can occur on a personally owned PC and does not by itself disqualify consumer ESU. An Entra-joined PC is organization-linked and is excluded from the consumer offer.
How to enroll a personal Windows 10 PC
- Finish Windows updating. Install the current updates and confirm that the PC is running version 22H2 in one of the supported editions. KB5126256 must be present as the ESU Licensing Preparation Package.
- Open the enrollment page. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. On an eligible computer, Windows displays a link to enroll in Extended Security Updates.
- Start enrollment. Select the enrollment link and then choose Enroll now.
- Authenticate. Sign in with an administrator Microsoft account. If the current Windows session uses a local account, Windows asks you to sign in with a Microsoft account. A child account cannot be used for this license.
- Select an offered enrollment method. Depending on the account and region, Windows may offer enrollment by backing up PC settings, redeeming Microsoft Rewards points, or making a one-time purchase. If Windows prompts you because you already back up settings, follow that prompt to continue.
- Finish the confirmation screens. Complete the payment, Rewards redemption, or settings-backup steps requested by Windows. The license is tied to the Microsoft account that completed enrollment, so record which account was used.
- Verify the result. Return to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. The page should show the device’s ESU enrollment status rather than the initial enrollment offer.
If more than one adult uses the PC, the administrator Microsoft account that enrolls it does not need to be the everyday sign-in account. It does, however, remain the account associated with the ESU entitlement. Keep access to that account for adding devices or checking the license.
Microsoft’s current consumer instructions are at Windows 10 Consumer Extended Security Updates (ESU). The exact buttons and offers can vary by region, account, and timing, so use the choices shown on the PC rather than assuming every account receives the same option.
Compare the consumer enrollment methods
Microsoft lists three consumer routes. The right choice depends on whether you already synchronize settings, have sufficient Rewards points, or prefer to pay. All three are ways to obtain the same consumer ESU coverage; they are not different update levels.
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| Method | Cost or requirement | Best fit and caveats |
|---|---|---|
| Sync PC settings | No additional charge when you enable the required settings backup or synchronization. | Useful if you are comfortable backing up PC settings to the enrolling Microsoft account. Windows may present this route automatically to people who already use settings backup. |
| Microsoft Rewards | Redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points. | Suitable when the enrolling account has enough points and the redemption option is available in its region. Points availability and redemption rules are account-specific. |
| One-time purchase | $30 USD, or the local-currency equivalent, plus applicable tax. | A direct paid option where offered. The amount and availability shown by Windows can vary by region. |
Consumer enrollment is available through October 12, 2027, and coverage runs through that date according to Microsoft’s dedicated ESU page. Availability, payment choices, and timing can differ by region, including countries in the European Economic Area, so the offer on your Windows Update page is the controlling practical indication. A separate Microsoft end-of-support FAQ has stated an October 13, 2026 consumer-program date; that older conflicting date should not be substituted for the dedicated ESU page’s current date.
Before choosing, compare the actual out-of-pocket cost, whether you already use settings backup, whether the account has 1,000 Rewards points, and whether the option is offered in your location. A $30 purchase is one payment for the consumer enrollment described by Microsoft; it is not a recurring monthly charge in the listed offer.
Use one consumer ESU license on additional PCs
Microsoft says an existing consumer ESU license can cover up to 10 devices. Each additional computer must independently meet the Windows edition, update, account, and management requirements.
- On the additional PC, install updates and confirm Windows 10 version 22H2 in a supported edition.
- Open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
- Sign in with the Microsoft account associated with the first enrollment when Windows requests it.
- Choose the enrollment link on that PC, or choose Add device while signed in to the associated account if that option is shown.
- After enrollment, revisit Windows Update on the additional PC to confirm its status.
The 10-device limit is a limit for the consumer ESU license, not a way to bypass the eligibility checks on each computer. A managed, domain-joined, kiosk, or otherwise excluded PC cannot be added simply because the account has unused device capacity.
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The edition or version is wrong
Consumer ESU requires Windows 10 version 22H2 and one of the listed Home, Professional, Pro Education, or Pro for Workstations editions. Earlier releases and other editions will not show the consumer offer. Run winver, install all updates, restart, and check again.
The preparation package is missing
KB5126256 is required. Windows normally delivers it through Windows Update after the PC reaches the necessary update level. If Windows Update still reports pending updates, install those first and restart before expecting the ESU link. Do not treat a successful download as proof that the package is installed; allow Windows to finish installation and reboot.
The account cannot enroll
The enrolling account must be an administrator Microsoft account and cannot be a child account. A local-account user must sign in with a Microsoft account to complete enrollment. Make sure you are using the same account you intend to associate with the license; switching accounts midway can leave you looking at a different entitlement.
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The device is managed or ineligible by design
The consumer offer is suppressed on kiosk devices, domain-joined PCs, Microsoft Entra-joined PCs, and MDM-enrolled PCs. A Microsoft Entra-registered device is treated differently and remains eligible for consumer ESU. If an organization manages the computer, use the commercial process instead of trying to force consumer enrollment.
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The computer already has ESU
Windows does not display a second consumer offer when an ESU license is already present. Check the Windows Update page for the enrollment status and use the account associated with that license when adding another device.
The offer is not available in your region or account yet
Microsoft states that consumer options and timing vary by region. Do not infer that the absence of a button means the PC will never qualify. Confirm the release, edition, updates, account, and management status first, then check Windows Update again after a restart. If all prerequisites are met but no offer appears, consult Microsoft’s current consumer ESU page for regional conditions.
The PC changed ownership or management
If a consumer-enrolled PC later enters a commercial ESU scenario, Microsoft suspends the consumer enrollment while the device is being used commercially. That means a personal enrollment should not be treated as a permanent workaround for an employer’s licensing obligations.
Personal versus organization-managed PCs
Consumer ESU is for a personal Windows 10 PC. It is not the licensing path for a business, school, or other organization that controls the computer through Active Directory, Microsoft Entra join, MDM, or similar management. If a personally enrolled computer later enters a commercial ESU scenario, Microsoft suspends its consumer enrollment while it is being used commercially.
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchMicrosoft Entra registration alone is an exception: Microsoft’s consumer requirements say an Entra-registered device remains eligible. Do not confuse registration with Microsoft Entra join, which is excluded from the consumer offer. When in doubt, ask the organization’s administrator how the device is joined and managed before enrolling.
How organizations activate commercial Windows 10 ESU
Commercial ESU uses a separate purchase and activation workflow. Microsoft’s commercial instructions are in Enable Windows 10 Extended Security Updates (ESU).
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- Confirm the supported release. The device must run Windows 10 version 22H2 and have KB5066791 or a later update.
- Install the licensing preparation package. Install KB5072653 after the required Windows update level is present.
- Obtain commercial entitlement. The organization purchases ESU through volume licensing and retrieves a Multiple Activation Key (MAK) from the Microsoft 365 admin center.
- Use an authorized administrator account. The account viewing the key needs the Product Key Reader or VL Administrator role.
- Install and activate the MAK. Apply the key on each eligible device using Microsoft’s licensing and activation instructions. Administrative privileges are required.
- Validate activation. Confirm activation on each endpoint using the organization’s normal Windows licensing controls and keep records of which devices consume the entitlement.
| Commercial item | Documented detail |
|---|---|
| Year One price | $61 USD per device, according to Microsoft Learn’s 2025 ESU program page. |
| Later years | The price doubles in each following year, for up to three years. |
| Purchase timing | ESU is purchased by year, not by partial periods. Buying Year Two also requires Year One. |
| Virtual machines | Microsoft lists no-additional-cost ESU for Windows 10 virtual machines in Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktop, Azure virtual machines, and Azure Dedicated Host. |
| Excluded lifecycle products | Windows 10 LTSB/LTSC releases have separate lifecycles and are not covered by this standard Windows 10 ESU program. |
Commercial pricing and licensing terms are separate from the consumer $30, Rewards, and settings-sync choices. Organizations should follow the current licensing documentation and the entitlement shown in their Microsoft 365 administration environment. A consumer Microsoft account and a commercial MAK are different licensing mechanisms; one cannot be substituted for the other.
What happens after enrollment
Security updates arrive through Windows Update in the same general way as other Windows updates. ESU supplies critical and important security updates, but it does not turn Windows 10 into a fully supported feature branch. Applications, drivers, browsers, and third-party services may still stop supporting the operating system independently.
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Keep normal backups, maintain an administrator recovery method, and continue checking Windows Update. ESU does not guarantee that every older application will remain compatible, nor does it provide general Microsoft technical support. It is a bridge for security maintenance while you prepare a supported Windows 11 migration or another supported operating system.
When planning an upgrade, check Windows 11 hardware eligibility separately. Enrollment in ESU neither upgrades the PC automatically nor prevents an eligible upgrade later.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Quick decision checklist
- Personal, unmanaged PC: use the consumer Windows Update enrollment link after meeting the 22H2, edition, update, KB5126256, and Microsoft-account requirements.
- Domain-joined, Entra-joined, MDM-managed, or kiosk PC: do not use consumer enrollment; use commercial licensing if the organization needs ESU.
- Entra-registered personal PC: it remains eligible for the consumer process, provided all other requirements are met.
- No enrollment link: verify version, edition, updates, account type, management state, regional availability, and existing-license status before assuming a service problem.
- Choosing a payment route: compare settings backup, 1,000 Rewards points, or the $30 one-time purchase plus tax, as offered in your region.
- Adding household PCs: use the enrolled Microsoft account and remember that one consumer license covers up to 10 eligible devices.
- Planning an upgrade: ESU does not prevent a later Windows 11 upgrade when the hardware qualifies.
Official references
- Windows 10 Consumer Extended Security Updates (ESU)
- End of support for Windows 10, Windows 8.1, and Windows 7
- Enable Windows 10 Extended Security Updates (ESU)
- Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for Windows 10
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I enroll a personal Windows 10 PC in ESU?
Install all Windows updates, confirm Windows 10 version 22H2 in an eligible edition, then open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. Select the ESU enrollment link, choose Enroll now, and sign in with an administrator Microsoft account.
How much does consumer Windows 10 ESU cost?
Microsoft lists three options: no additional charge when syncing or backing up PC settings, 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points, or a one-time $30 USD payment (local-currency equivalent plus applicable tax). Options vary by region and account.
How long does consumer ESU last?
Microsoft’s dedicated consumer ESU page lists enrollment and coverage through October 12, 2027. A separate older FAQ has shown a conflicting October 13, 2026 date, so use the dedicated ESU page and the offer displayed on your PC for current availability.
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Can I use a local Windows account to enroll?
The enrolling account must be an administrator Microsoft account. If you use a local Windows account, Windows prompts you to sign in with a Microsoft account; child accounts cannot enroll.
Why is the ESU enrollment link missing?
Common causes are an edition other than Home, Professional, Pro Education, or Pro for Workstations; a release other than version 22H2; missing updates or KB5126256; a child or nonadministrator account; kiosk, domain-joined, Entra-joined, or MDM management; an existing ESU license; or regional/account availability.
Can one consumer ESU license cover several computers?
Yes. Microsoft says one consumer ESU license can be used on up to 10 eligible devices. Each device must independently satisfy the version, edition, update, account, and management requirements.
Can a business use the consumer ESU enrollment screen?
No. Organization-managed or commercial devices use volume licensing, the commercial preparation package KB5072653 after KB5066791 or later, and a Multiple Activation Key. Consumer enrollment is not the business licensing route.
Does ESU include Windows feature updates or technical support?
No. ESU provides critical and important security updates through Windows Update. It does not provide feature updates, product enhancements, nonsecurity fixes, or general Windows technical support.
Does enrolling in ESU prevent a Windows 11 upgrade?
No. ESU does not block a later Windows 11 upgrade when the PC meets Windows 11 hardware requirements.
The Bottom Line
For a personal, unmanaged Windows 10 version 22H2 PC, install the required updates and KB5126256, then enroll at Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update with an administrator Microsoft account. Choose settings backup, 1,000 Rewards points, or the offered $30 one-time purchase. Domain-joined, Entra-joined, MDM-managed, kiosk, and other commercial devices must use Microsoft’s separate volume-licensing and MAK process.
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