These last few months, we have been fielding a significant number of calls from clients looking for help regarding Windows 10. The end of support by Microsoft took place effective 10/14/25. In April, we reminded readers that Microsoft was going to stop supporting Windows 10, but the company was offering the ESU program (Extended Security Update) for a fee of $30.00. ($61.00 for commercial use.) This extended coverage would provide critical security updates but no technical support for one additional year. (Until 10/13/26)
The ESU rollout has been frustrating for millions. In fact, a lawsuit was filed alleging that Microsoft is deliberately ending Windows 10 support to encourage consumers to purchase Windows 11 compatible devices. The company did not explain why it was making this change, and older PCs cannot access the free upgrade to Windows 11 because of strict hardware requirements.
It is reported that between 700 million to one-billion people use Windows 10. When Microsoft ended support for Windows 10, thegoal was to get users to upgrade to Windows 11 because the claim was 11 will offer a more modern, secure and efficient computing experience. The end of technical support, however, left millions vulnerable to cyber threats in the absence of security updates and technical support. 40 percent of Windows users have still not updated their computers.
Enrolling in the ESU program is done via a dedicated app that began rolling out in waves back in July. A dedicated pop-up informs users of the extended update appearing with an enrollment wizard offering three ways to extend support. To access the update, users click on the “Enroll” button in the Windows Update panel under the “check for updates” button. (Settings>Update&Security>Windows Update) If your device meets the prerequisites, you see a link to enroll in ESU. If you pay for ESU, you must sign in with a Microsoft account. This effectively forces all ESU participants into Microsoft’s online ecosystem, giving the company more control over user engagement and data. Some critics have argued that this is less about security and more about user tracking and has been a deal breaker for some. The ESU only includes critical security patches and will not address any bug or performance issues. Many users were not able to access the update button as it rolled out.
In August. Microsoft began offering two free options for the extended coverage program in addition to the $30 fee. To take advantage of the free versions, you must sync your PC settings to Microsoft OneDrive or redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards. Every Microsoft account comes with 6 GB of free cloud storage which is enough for syncing system settings and email files. If your Documents or Desktop folders contain large photos, videos or work archives, that 5 GB can vanish fast. Once you exceed the limit, Microsoft prompts you to pay $1.99 per month for 100 GB to keep the sync going and charges can increase if you need more storage.
The Bottom Line: If you are still running Windows 10, Microsoft Defender will still protect your computer against viruses and other threats. Defender will receive regular security updates until October 2028. For Windows 11 your PC needs to have a 1GHz or faster processor, 4GB or greater memory, 84GB or greater disk space, and a Trusted Platform Module 2.0 (TPM). A TPM is a secure crypto processor designed to handle security-related tasks and manages encryption keys in a way that minimizes the ability of attackers to break into a system. How do you know if your PC has a TPM? If your computer was sold with Windows 10 preinstalled in 2016 or later, the answer is almost certainly yes. That is the year Microsoft began requiring manufacturers to ship PCs with TPM 2.0 available and enabled by default. If your PC is older than that, it still might contain a TPM as Intel started including the feature in its 4th Generation Core processors. For the most part, pre-2014 TPMs may not meet the standard for Windows 11. There are workarounds for these PC’s however, it involves modifying your computer’s Registry. It is not recommended that you mess with the Registry. If you make a mistake in BIOS, you can render your computer dead. Don’t install Windows 11 on an incompatible computer. Finally, several emergency updates have been issued to address 56 known vulnerabilities, and we remind everyone to run your updates. If you are running Windows 10 and are not enrolled in the ESU, you are at risk. Defender alone does not offer a comprehensive risk mitigation posture. Two Techs – your locally owned computer support company. Find us on the web at www.twotechs.com or email us at: support@twotechs.com or call 352-200-2365. USF, MIS, MCP, A+, Network+ & CISSP (References used; pcworld, Extremetech, Forbes, Microsoft, Bl