Learn how to enable free Windows 10 extended support so that you will still receive Windows updates even after its end-of-life.
As Microsoft announced a while back, Windows 10 support is ending in October 2025. That means, after that date, you will not receive any updates to Windows 10. Even with the deadline looming just around the corner, Windows 10 is still quite popular with millions of users actively using it for their daily tasks at home, in the office, in educational institutions, and other critical environments. As such, Microsoft is providing extended support for all Windows 10 systems for free for one year. The only catch is that you have to register for it manually. Once enrolled, you will receive monthly security updates until October 13th, 2026.
In this quick and easy tutorial, let me show you the steps to enroll and enable extended support in Windows 10. Let’s get started.
Before You Start
- The guide is for home/personal computers only. If you are a commercial organization, you have to pay to enroll in extended support.
- To enroll or enable extended support, you must be signed into Windows 10 with a Microsoft account. If you are using a local account, the enroll option will not be available.
- To get the extended support for free, you must sync your settings to the cloud using the Windows Backup app. Otherwise, you have to pay to get extended support.
- This free extended support period is for one year only (from October 15, 2025, to October 13, 2026).
Steps to Enroll and Enable Extended Support in Windows 10
- Press “Windows key + I” to open Settings.
- Click the “Update & Security” option.
- Go to the “Windows Update” tab on the sidebar.
- Click the “Enroll now” option under “Windows 10 support ends in October 2025”.
- Click the “Next” button.
- If you are not signed in, you will be prompted to sign in to a Microsoft account.
- Select the “Back up your PC settings” option and click “Next“.
- That’s it. With that, you’ve enrolled for Windows 10 extended support.
Detailed Steps (With Screenshots)
You can enable and enroll in Windows 10 extended support via the Settings app. So, to start off, press the “Windows key + I” shortcut to open Settings.
Once it opens, click the “Update & Security” option, go to the “Windows Update” tab on the sidebar. Next, click the “Enroll now” button under the “Windows 10 support ends in October 2025” section.
Note: If you don’t see this option, first ensure your PC is up-to-date by clicking the “Check for Updates” button. If the option is still missing, don’t worry, it will likely become available to you soon, as this feature is being rolled out in waves.
As soon as you click the button, the enrollment wizard opens. Here, click the “Next” button to continue.
Now, the wizard checks if you are using a Microsoft account to sign into Windows 10. If you are not, it will prompt you to sign in. Otherwise, you will see the enroll option. So, log in to your Microsoft account if necessary. Next, select the “Back up your PC settings” option and click “Next“.
Note: If you are already syncing your settings, you will not see the screen below and are directly enrolled.
That is it. With that, you’ve enrolled in Windows 10 extended support. You can check this by going to the “Settings” > “Update & Security” > “Windows Update” page. It displays “Your PC is enrolled to get Extended Security Updates“.
That is all. It is that simple to enroll and enable extended support in Windows 10. If you have any questions or need help, comment below.
Footnotes
- Windows 10 extended support announcement by Microsoft: https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2025/06/24/stay-secure-with-windows-11-copilot-pcs-and-windows-365-before-support-ends-for-windows-10/
