Windows 10 support ends tomorrow, but here’s how to get an extra year for free

Are you still running Windows 10 on your PC? Tomorrow, from October 14, Microsoft is taking the software to the “end of life”. What does it mean for you? Windows 10 pcs will continue to work after that date, they will turn off important security updates by default. If you want to make sure your computer is secure it leaves you three choices:

1. If your computer is consistent you can choose to upgrade to Windows 11 for free.

2. You can buy a new PC that already has pre-installed in Windows 11 (or choose for alternatives like Mac or Chromebook).

3. Forget about Windows 11 now and sign up for extended security updates (ESU), which lets you take you down the street for a year.

The last one is simple – and now in many cases it can be made free – so we will concentrate on it here. We will walk you to the steps to keep Windows 10 on your PC … now at least at least.

How to sign up for Windows 10 enhanced security updates on your computer

We can question Microsoft’s objectives to turn off Windows 10, though it works perfectly on most old PCs. But without those periodic security updates, your PC will become increasingly sensitive to the malware with each passing week. To that end, listed on extended security updates (ESU) will give you another year of using Windows 10 securely.

At one point, Microsoft suggested that a 12-month extension requires $ 30 fee. Although this is still an alternative, there is now a free way for Windows 10 users in the US. Here it is here.

Step 1: Make sure your PC has up to date

You can find out if your computer is up-to-date about your settings> system>, then scroll below to see which version you are running. If that is not the case you would like to make sure you have installed all Windows 10 updates available.

Step 2: Confirm that you are using administrator account

If you share a computer with multiple people in your family, make sure you have signed in to the administrator account. Usually, this is the first account made on the computer. When you see the “Administrator” under the name you know it is right. (You can double-check under your information)))

Step 3: Verify whether your PC is eligible to upgrade to Windows 11 (or not)

If you see the option to upgrade on Windows 11, just do this. It is free and it puts you on the Windows loop. Otherwise, continue to follow the steps below so that you can protect your computer with the help of security updates.

Step 4: Listed on extended security updates

Sign up for ESU by selecting updates and security from the Settings menu. Click the sign-up link “List now” according to the image below. Again, you will see the option of downloading Windows 11 If your computer fills the requirements (again, if you see it, of course do this).

If you do not see the “now listed now” the link you will probably have to update and install the latest Windows 10 updates (as mentioned above).

Step 5: Choose your upgrade method

Next you choose how you want to enroll and you have a few options. The easiest way is to back up your PC settings. It is free, but it takes some time to back up your data. Again, you need to use your administrator’s account to get started.

It was said that the free option here brings two catches, at least for users in the United States. (European users will get the free option without attaching a string)) The first one is that you will attach your Windows Login to Microsoft’s Cloud-based online service. Most users have done so already (if they use Kapilot, Office 365, Gamepus, ODRIVE or other online services in Microsoft). But if you chose the local login on Windows, the price you are offering for this “free” extension are joining the Cloud-connected Microsoft Universe.

Another possible problem is the free backup only applies for the first one 5GB storageThe More, and you need to pay for Microsoft’s ODRIVE services. But thanks, you can turn off something that you don’t want to go back to the Settings> ODRIVE, and toggle the options like documents, pictures and videos for the bottom to enter the bottom of the free marginal.

Once you have signed in, a window will pop up that says “Add this device to get the extended security updates.” Click the device to list it. Click Complete.

A Note: Thanks to YouTube To explain the computer channelWhere we caught the screenshot above (since our test PC was already signed for cloud backups, and did not provide the splash screen to choose the options). You can see them Full video If you want to dive more deeper in the process.

That’s it, you’ve become! (Until next year)

You have received another 12 months to find the alternative upgrade path on Windows 7. If there is a change next year we will update this story with what your next steps are.