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For personal Windows 10 users in the United States, Microsoft lists three ways to receive Extended Security Updates (ESU): pay a one-time $30 plus applicable tax, sync PC settings at no additional cost, or redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points. The consumer program currently runs through October 12, 2027. Prices and enrollment choices can differ by country.
Windows 10 support has ended
Microsoft ended standard support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. A Windows 10 computer still starts and runs, but it no longer receives ordinary Microsoft security updates, feature updates, quality fixes or general technical support.
ESU is a limited extension, not a return to full support. It supplies only critical and important security updates during the consumer coverage period.
What the US consumer ESU program costs
| Enrollment route | Cost | Key condition |
|---|---|---|
| Settings synchronization | No additional charge | Available through Microsoft’s consumer enrollment flow when the device qualifies. |
| Microsoft Rewards | 1,000 points | Redeem points through the enrollment process. |
| Direct purchase | $30 once, plus applicable tax | Microsoft states that local-currency equivalents may apply. |
These choices describe Microsoft’s current US consumer guidance. Microsoft says availability and timing can vary by region, including the European Economic Area, so users outside the US should rely on the options shown in their own Settings enrollment screen rather than assume the $30 price applies.
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How long ESU lasts and what it includes
Microsoft’s current consumer information sets the ESU endpoint at October 12, 2027. Enrollment does not add new Windows features, design changes, customer-requested non-security fixes or normal technical support. It is intended to give users more time to move to a supported setup.
Who can enroll
The consumer eligibility described by Microsoft covers personal devices running Windows 10 version 22H2. The qualifying PC uses a built-in Settings enrollment tool. Check the edition, version and management status of the specific computer because organization-managed devices and enterprise-licensed installations follow different rules.
Microsoft also says an existing consumer ESU license can cover up to 10 devices under its stated conditions. Confirm the current terms shown during enrollment before relying on that limit.
How ESU compares with upgrading or replacing the PC
| Choice | Best fit | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Consumer ESU | You need more time and your personal Windows 10 22H2 PC qualifies. | Security-only coverage ends October 12, 2027; it does not restore full support. |
| Upgrade the current PC | The hardware meets Windows 11 requirements and your applications and files are ready to move. | You may need to resolve compatibility, backup and migration issues. |
| Buy a Windows 11 PC | The existing computer is not eligible or you want newer hardware. | It is a larger upfront purchase and requires data and peripheral migration. |
| Continue without ESU | You have a short-term transition plan and accept greater security exposure. | The operating system remains without regular Microsoft security fixes and technical support. |
Microsoft says eligible Windows 10 PCs can upgrade to Windows 11 at no additional license charge. Use Windows Update or Microsoft’s PC Health Check to verify compatibility before buying replacement hardware. A new Windows 11 computer is an option, not a requirement for every Windows 10 owner.
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Consumer and business ESU prices are different
Do not apply the consumer $30 figure to a company’s Windows 10 fleet. Microsoft Learn lists commercial and education ESU Year One at $61 per device. The price doubles for each consecutive year, for up to three years. Commercial organizations cannot buy only part of a year, and later-year purchases are cumulative. Certain Microsoft cloud and virtualization scenarios may receive ESU at no additional cost under separate conditions.
What happens if you skip ESU?
The computer will continue to function, but newly discovered vulnerabilities in the unsupported operating system may remain unpatched. Microsoft’s guidance says antivirus software, including Microsoft Defender or a third-party product, can help but is not sufficient on its own to replace operating-system security updates.
If you postpone enrollment or an upgrade, keep current backups, limit sensitive activity on the unsupported machine and set a definite migration date. Those precautions reduce risk; they do not make Windows 10 supported again.
How to decide what to do
- Check your version: verify that the PC is running Windows 10 22H2 and determine whether it is a personal or organization-managed device.
- Check Windows 11 compatibility: use Windows Update or PC Health Check before spending money on a new computer.
- Open the ESU enrollment tool: review the exact local choices, tax and eligibility displayed in Settings.
- Compare the transition cost: choose ESU if a short extension is cheaper and practical; choose an upgrade or replacement if the hardware can no longer meet your needs.
- Plan beyond October 12, 2027: consumer ESU is temporary, so schedule the move to a supported Windows release before coverage ends.
The Bottom Line
For US personal users, keeping Windows 10 security updates currently costs either nothing through settings synchronization, 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points, or a one-time $30 plus tax. ESU ends October 12, 2027, so it is a bridge to Windows 11 or another supported arrangement—not a permanent extension of Windows 10 support.
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