Huge Windows 10 boost means your PC can avoid Windows 11 for longer

Official Windows 10 support ended last October, with users of this popular operating system no longer receiving free upgrades, new features or vital software patches. Since Windows 10 was sent to the history books, Microsoft's advice has been simple, switch to Windows 11 or face an increased risk of cyber threats and PC breaking bugs.

To help soften the blow, the US technology firm has been offering consumers the option to sign up for a service called Extended Security Updates (ESUs) for a year.

Although ESUs don't include new features, they do promise to keep PCs safe for 12 months.

Luckily, it now seems Microsoft is being a little more generous, quietly adding more time for users to switch to Windows 11. When ESUs were announced, it was confirmed that they would end on October this year, however, that has now been updated with fans of Windows 10 able to get security patches until October 2027.

In an update on its website, Microsoft said: "The Extended Security Updates (ESU) programme for Windows 10 provides customers with a more secure option to continue using their Windows 10 PCs after 14 October, 2025, while they transition to Windows 11.

"The ESU programme helps reduce the risk of malware and cybersecurity attacks by providing access to critical and important security updates as defined by the Microsoft Security Response Centre (MSRC) for devices running Windows 10, version 22H2.