Windows 10 support has ended, but here's how to get an extra year for free

As of yesterday, Microsoft has officially retired Windows 10. That means it's reached what's called "end of life"—a fancy way of saying it won’t get automatic security updates anymore.

💡 The upside? Your computer will still work just fine.

⚠️ The downside? Without those updates, it could become more vulnerable to viruses and other online threats.

So, what can you do to keep your PC safe and secure? You have got three options:

1. Upgrade to Windows 11 for free — If your PC is compatible, this is the simplest path.

2. Buy a new PC with Windows 11 already installed — Great if your current computer is getting old.

3. Stick with Windows 10 and sign up for Extended Security Updates (ESU) — This gives you one more year of security updates.

Let’s walk through option 3 together 👇

🔄 Step 1: Update your PC

Make sure your Windows 10 is fully up to date. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and install any available updates.

👤 Step 2: Use an administrator account

If you share your computer, make sure you're signed in as the administrator. You can check by going to Settings > Your Info — it should say “Administrator” under your name.

💻 Step 3: Check if your PC can run Windows 11

Sometimes your computer might already be eligible for a free upgrade. If you see the option to upgrade to Windows 11, go for it! If not, continue with the ESU steps below.

🔐 Step 4: Enroll in Extended Security Updates

Go to Settings > Update & Security and look for the “Enroll Now” link. If you don’t see it, you probably need to install the latest Windows 10 updates first (see Step 1).

☁️ Step 5: Choose how to enroll

The easiest way is to back up your PC settings using Microsoft’s cloud service. It’s free, but there are two things to know:

• Cloud connection required: You’ll need to link your Windows account to Microsoft’s online services (like OneDrive, Office 365, or Copilot). If you’ve been using a local login, this will switch you to a cloud-connected setup.

• Storage limit: The free backup covers up to 5 GB. If you need more space, you’ll have to pay for extra OneDrive storage. To stay under the limit, go to Settings > OneDrive and turn off backups for things like Documents, Pictures, and Videos.

Once you’re signed in, a window will pop up saying “Add this device to receive Extended Security Updates.” Click Add Device, then Done.

🎥 Want a visual walkthrough? Check out this helpful video from the "Explaining Computers" YouTube channel: Watch here

🎉 That’s it! You’re covered for another 12 months.

Between now and next year, you’ll have time to decide whether to upgrade to Windows 11 or explore other options. We’ll keep this blog updated with any new info as it comes.

Let us know if you want help checking your PC’s compatibility or exploring upgrade paths!