Microsoft stated that the update wizard would start rolling out in mid-August, it's not yet mid-August.

Enable Extended Security Updates (ESU)

Learn how to enable the Extended Security Updates (ESU) keys for Windows 10. The ESU program gives customers the option to receive security updates for Windows 10.

learn.microsoft.com

 

I am using a Dell Windows 10 laptop and tried unsuccessfully for many hours to get the Windows 10 Consumer Extended Security Update (ESU) on my laptop - to extend Windows' security updates until Oct. 13, 2026. Here is what I did. At Settings>Update & Security>Windows Update there was no link to enroll in ESU. That's supposedly where you enroll to get the ESU. On the home page for Settings, in the upper left of the screen, it shows I am logged in to my Microsoft account as the administrator. On the Windows Update page I updated Windows 10 version 22H2 to the latest version. I still cannot get the ESU "Enroll Now" choice to appear on the Windows Update page (in Settings) as it should according to a Microsoft document. Could you please tell me what I am doing wrong and how I can get the Enroll Now to appear on the Windows Update page so I can get Microsoft's Extended Security Update.
Thanks.
Richard

Time to move on.... just install windows 11, if you need help on "how-to" I suggest YouTube.

 

I agree. Especially if your computer came with W10, it should run W11 with no driver issues. W11 isn't different enough to pay MS for a year of extended updates and there are a number of improvements. The biggest issue has been resolved - the START button in the middle of the screen. I still go to the rt for that, but you can change it to the left now. I have left it in center because of the weather/news on the left. If your computer came with W7, then you MAY have driver issues. If it is that old, you may want to consider a newer one.

 

The reason for getting the Windows 10 extended updates is to allow you to use your Windows 10 computer for another year without the risk of using an unsupported operating system online. Many people still want to use their old computer systems but find that they can't be upgraded to Windows 11. In the early builds of Win 11 there were workarounds that allowed Win 11 to be run on unsupported hardware but the loopholes have now been closed. You can't just use an old build of Win 11 either because they have limited lifespans themselves.

Not everyone can afford to buy a new Windows 11 computer. Others don't want to as they are perfectly happy with their Windows 10 systems. It's a minor hassle to accumulate 1000 rewards points or to sync your computer to your Microsoft Account but this will allow a year of security updates for free. After this, Windows 10 Hone and Professional users can decide if they want to buy a new computer, just accept the security risk and continue to use Windows 10 online, or go the Linux route.

Business and Educational licensees can pay for three years of security updates.

For Businesses:
Year 1: $61 per device, Year 2: $122 per device, and Year 3: $244 per device.

For Consumers (Windows 10 Home and Pro):
Year 1: $30 per device, Year 2: Not available, and Year 3: Not available.

For Educational Institutions:
Year 1: $1 per device, Year 2: $2 per device, and Year 3: $4 per device

The ESU Wizard will appear in Windows Update and in your Notifications. It should already be rolling out for most systems.

Note that ESU updates are security updates only. Windows 10 will no longer receive any other updates past October 14, 2025.

 

There are countless complaints and hand wringing whenever Microsoft retires a Windows OS. Filling up this and every other forum. This has been happening since XP, Windows 7 etc. Probably earlier with 95 and 98 though I don't remember that.
This is the first time Microsoft has actual hardware requirements to the upgrade. Apple has been doing this for decades. There are countless Mac computers that can't be upgraded to their latest OS because of hardware requirements. To keep up with software technology, computer hardware also has to be upgraded as well/ But this is all a lot of useless worrying.

There are work arounds if your computer doesn't meet the hardware requirements, that will get undone after the first major Windows Update.
Microsoft has always been liberal with the date of the upgrades for large corporations because of the complexity of upgrading a large number of computers at the same time.

This is also the first time that Microsoft has offered paid ESU program for upgrades. Allowing normal home users extended support. This would be the easiest and quickest way to keep your computer updated. The ESU program will be offered in Windows Update. You actually don't need to worry about it till November 2025.

This is really just kicking the can down the road. Probably in October 2026 the ESU program will end and you will have to Upgrade your hardware or have a vulnerable computer on the internet. Only Microsoft will be able to answer this question. We will see

 

Here is the information on the ESU Wizard that will appear in Windows Update.

 

I have 2 desktops and one laptop on Win 10 that I need to get into the ESU.... I am in settings-windows update and security in my newest Win 10 desktop, on 22H2, but I am not seeing this wizard or any link to enroll in ESU??

Edit: I just checked my laptop and same thing. LOL.

 

Be patient. I've finally got 2 of my 3. Keep running Windows Updates to check.

 

I'll try. Easy enough for one desktop that runs 24/7 but the laptop and other desktop do not get regular use so I need to make an extra effort to do this. I was trying to get this all done now for my time management.... only to find I am set back by Mircosoft.

 

The reason for getting the Windows 10 extended updates is to allow you to use your Windows 10 computer for another year without the risk of using an unsupported operating system online. Many people still want to use their old computer systems but find that they can't be upgraded to Windows 11. In the early builds of Win 11 there were workarounds that allowed Win 11 to be run on unsupported hardware but the loopholes have now been closed. You can't just use an old build of Win 11 either because they have limited lifespans themselves.

Not everyone can afford to buy a new Windows 11 computer. Others don't want to as they are perfectly happy with their Windows 10 systems. It's a minor hassle to accumulate 1000 rewards points or to sync your computer to your Microsoft Account but this will allow a year of security updates for free. After this, Windows 10 Hone and Professional users can decide if they want to buy a new computer, just accept the security risk and continue to use Windows 10 online, or go the Linux route.

Business and Educational licensees can pay for three years of security updates.

For Businesses:
Year 1: $61 per device, Year 2: $122 per device, and Year 3: $244 per device.

For Consumers (Windows 10 Home and Pro):
Year 1: $30 per device, Year 2: Not available, and Year 3: Not available.

For Educational Institutions:
Year 1: $1 per device, Year 2: $2 per device, and Year 3: $4 per device

The ESU Wizard will appear in Windows Update and in your Notifications. It should already be rolling out for most systems.

Note that ESU updates are security updates only. Windows 10 will no longer receive any other updates past October 14, 2025.

The reason for getting the Windows 10 extended updates is to allow you to use your Windows 10 computer for another year without the risk of using an unsupported operating system online. Many people still want to use their old computer systems but find that they can't be upgraded to Windows 11. In the early builds of Win 11 there were workarounds that allowed Win 11 to be run on unsupported hardware but the loopholes have now been closed. You can't just use an old build of Win 11 either because they have limited lifespans themselves.

Not everyone can afford to buy a new Windows 11 computer. Others don't want to as they are perfectly happy with their Windows 10 systems. It's a minor hassle to accumulate 1000 rewards points or to sync your computer to your Microsoft Account but this will allow a year of security updates for free. After this, Windows 10 Hone and Professional users can decide if they want to buy a new computer, just accept the security risk and continue to use Windows 10 online, or go the Linux route.

Business and Educational licensees can pay for three years of security updates.

For Businesses:
Year 1: $61 per device, Year 2: $122 per device, and Year 3: $244 per device.

For Consumers (Windows 10 Home and Pro):
Year 1: $30 per device, Year 2: Not available, and Year 3: Not available.

For Educational Institutions:
Year 1: $1 per device, Year 2: $2 per device, and Year 3: $4 per device

The ESU Wizard will appear in Windows Update and in your Notifications. It should already be rolling out for most systems.

Note that ESU updates are security updates only. Windows 10 will no longer receive any other updates past October 14, 2025.

Unless the system came with a very old Win OS and barely made it to W10, you can upgrade it to W11 even if it doesn't have TPM 2 - CPU and Memory should be OK, but it bypasses those checks also. The only catch might be if there is no compatible driver for some devices. If you image your drive first, you can easily go back to W10 if something doesn't work. I use Macrium Reflect Free to do that.
Upgrade by downloading the W11 ISO from MS and creating a USB using Rufus. That will bypass the tests and allow you to upgrade. It would probably be best to do a clean install. I also recommend making 2 partitions on your drive. C: is for system and about 150GB is plenty. I have 100GB used and I have a lot on it. 100 or 120 would be good for "normal" ppl. D: is for your stuff. You can move the user folders - documents, pictures, music, etc easily to the D: partition. That way if you have to reinstall your system, you can image it, if you make an image, without touching your stuff. If you don't want the convenience of easily restoring your system, don't partition.
PM me if you need the directions.

 

I really don't have time for all this rigamarole right now. I'll pay the $30 if they let me and kick the can down the road. LOL. Maybe take on this other method with my security cam PC next year before the ESU runs out.