Microsoft adds another year’s worth of Windows 10 software updates

Unlike most previous Windows updates, Windows 11 it required some users to buy new PCs and special CPU and Trusted Platform Module (TPM) technologies. Microsoft has been heavily criticized for excluding perfectly used PCs, and this has turned into a problem in 2026. AI-driven storage and memory shortages have made system upgrades more expensive, which can slow down upgrades. Some have also avoided Windows 11 because of Microsoft’s focus on AI features.

The result is that Windows 10 remains popular. According to StatCounter dataWindows 10 still runs on about 26 percent of PCs, while Windows 11 sits at 72 percent. This means that there are hundreds of millions of active Windows 10 installs, but the system will be updated for one more year.

To join the ESU program, simply look for the registration option in the Windows Update menu. EU customers receive these updates for free, but in other regions, you must sign in with a Microsoft account and link your system updates to qualify for the free updates. Otherwise, it costs $30 (or 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points) to join the program.

Once signed in, the ESU license works for up to 10 devices, but Microsoft emphasizes that this is for individual use—businesses must pay for each device Windows 10 update, but the program is available until 2028.