Windows 10 Updates Get Another Year

Good news for those still on Windows 10, as the Extended Security Updates that keep Windows 10 secure will be running for another year, ending on October 12^th, 2027.

What does this mean?

Previously, the ESU program was going to end on October 14^th, 2026. The extension of the program is good news for those who haven’t managed to upgrade to Windows 11, or to Linux, or get a new computer, giving them another year to make plans.

Continuing to use Windows 10 past the end of the ESU program is possible, the computer won’t suddenly stop working, but it is not recommended as the computer may become vulnerable to attack. A notable example of this was the Wannacry attack on the NHS. That attack was possible due to the targeted computers using outdated operating systems, making them vulnerable.

Why should I be enrolled in the ESU?

If you are using Windows 10 and haven’t enabled Extended Security Updates, it’s a good idea to do so as these updates improve the security of your computer. Malicious users are always looking for new ways to attack computers, and the updates ensure that any exploits that are found are quickly resolved before an attacker can use them.

We’ve covered enrolling in the ESU in more detail in a previous article.

What should I do before the ESU ends?

If you’re not ready to get a new computer yet, there remains other options that we’ve covered in previous articles:

• Upgrading to Windows 11 may require additional hardware.
• Installing Linux: ZorinOS is a version of Linux that closely resembles Windows, but can still run safely on older hardware.

If you need any advice on these options, just get in touch.