# FYI: You can keep using Windows 10 until October 2026 **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 30, 2025, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fyi-you-can-keep-using-windows-10-until-october-2026/1020320 "2025-06-30T21:47:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2025, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fyi-you-can-keep-using-windows-10-until-october-2026/1020320/1 "2025-06-30T21:47:04Z")
For those of you who see no reason to update, Microsoft has made available a free extension for Windows 10 for another year: > **[Don't want to switch to Windows 11? There is one last way to stick with...](https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/dont-want-to-switch-to-windows-11-there-is-one-last-way-to-stick-with-windows-10-a-little-longer/)** > > Microsoft just made it easier to get one extra year on Windows 10—here's how. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2025, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fyi-you-can-keep-using-windows-10-until-october-2026/1020320/2 "2025-06-30T22:55:28Z")
Just for those who aren’t already familiar, I’ll quote from the article linked above: > Individual users can now opt into the Windows 10 ESU program by simply turning on Windows Backup, which regularly stores a backup of your files and settings in case you ever need to restore your PC. This feature is completely free to use and [turning it on](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/back-up-and-restore-with-windows-backup-87a81f8a-78fa-456e-b521-ac0560e32338#id0ebh=windows_10) takes just a couple of clicks in your settings (where you can also customize what data it does and doesn’t back up). (there’s also an option to use Microsoft points if you’re a big user of the Microsoft store / Xbox, but I doubt that applies to many posters _here_) So give Microsoft access to some of your information via the backup utility, or pay $30, either way, one year of critical and security updates to extend the life of your Win10 box. If you’re tight on budget, it’s nice, or if you’re already using the backup. If you’re worried what Microsoft will do with your info, the $30 option is still there. Personally I’m glad you have the choice. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2025, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fyi-you-can-keep-using-windows-10-until-october-2026/1020320/3 "2025-07-01T01:54:04Z")
Previous thread: > [@Microsoft extends free Windows 10 security updates into 2026, with strings attached](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-extends-free-windows-10-security-updates-into-2026-with-strings-attached/1020084): > > Microsoft will extend a year of additional Windows 10 security updates to any users who opt into [Windows Backup](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/back-up-and-restore-with-windows-backup-87a81f8a-78fa-456e-b521-ac0560e32338#id0ebh=windows_10), a relatively recent Windows 10 and Windows 11 app that backs up some settings and files using a Microsoft account. Users can also opt into ESU updates by spending [1,000 Microsoft Rewards points](https://www.microsoft.com/en-in/rewards/about), which are handed out for everything from making purchases with your Microsoft account to doing Bing searches. These offers don’t formally extend the end-of-support date for Windows 10. But f… ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2025, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fyi-you-can-keep-using-windows-10-until-october-2026/1020320/4 "2025-07-01T13:18:17Z")
Closed as prior thread already on this.