Free Windows 10 Support for another year

Summary

This guide will show you how to continue receiving critical security updates for Windows 10 for free until October 2026. The method involves creating a secondary Microsoft account used only to enrol your PC and check for updates, while you continue to use your local account for daily activities.

Key Benefit:

Your personal files and data remain private on your local account, while your entire system receives necessary security patches.

Initial Setup & One-Time Enrolment

Prerequisite: Check Your Windows Version

You MUST be using Windows 10 Version 22H2.

To check: Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and install

all available updates.

Step 1: Create and Configure Your "Update" Account

1. Add a New Microsoft Account:

Go to Settings > Accounts > Family & other users

Click Add someone else to this PC

Follow the prompts to add a Microsoft account (you can use an existing email

or create a new one).

2. Make it an Administrator

In the "Other users" list, click on the new account you just added

Click Change account type

Change it from "Standard User" to Administrator

Click OK

3. Sign in for the First Time

Click the Start Menu, then click your account icon (or name) at the top

Select the new Microsoft account from the list to switch to it

Follow the on-screen prompts to set up a PIN for quick future access.

Step 2: Modify the Registry to Enable ESU

1. Open Registry Editor:

Press the Windows Key + R on your keyboard.

Type `regedit` and press Enter.

2. Navigate to the Correct Location:

In the Registry Editor, go to this exact address:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\Windows

3. Create a New Registry Key:

Right-click on the `Windows` folder in the left-hand pane

Select New > Key

Name this new key: ConsumerESU and press Enter

4. Create the First Value:

Right-click on the new ConsumerESU key you just created.

Select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value

Name it: ESUEligibility

Double-click it, set its "Value data" to 2 and click OK

5. Create the Second Value:

Right-click on the ConsumerESU key again

Select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value

Name it: ESUEligibilityResult

Double-click it, set its "Value data" to 1 and click OK

6. Close the Registry Editor

Step 3: Enrol in the Extended Security Updates

1. Go to Settings > Update & Security

2. You should now see a new option for enrolling in Extended Security Updates.

3. Click Enroll Now or similar

4. A wizard will open. Click Next and then Enroll

5. You should see a confirmation message that your device is enrolled through

October 2026.

Step 4: Return to Your Daily Account

Sign out of the Microsoft account.

Log back into your original local account

Your PC is now successfully enrolled. The security warning on your local account can

be ignored.

Ongoing Maintenance: How to Check for and Install Updates

Windows Updates are installed for the entire computer, but to trigger them, you must be signed into the Microsoft account.

Recommended: Perform these steps every two-four weeks

1. Switch User: Sign into the Microsoft Account you created for ESU.

2. Check for Updates: Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update

3. Click "Check for updates and allow all updates to download and install

4. Restart if required.

5. Switch Back: Once the system is up to date, sign out and return to your local

account

Key Points & Benefits

Privacy: Your local account's files, browser history, and activity are not synced to Microsoft.

Cost: This method allows you to receive ESU for free, avoiding any potential fees.

System-Wide Protection: Security updates protect the entire operating system, benefiting all user accounts on the PC.

Compliance: Signing in with the Microsoft account periodically meets Microsoft's

requirement to maintain update eligibility.