# Help, How do I purchase Win 10 Extended updates? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 23, 2026, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-how-do-i-purchase-win-10-extended-updates/1026964 "2026-01-23T19:13:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-how-do-i-purchase-win-10-extended-updates/1026964/1 "2026-01-23T19:13:08Z")
I installed all the Win 10 updates available. Update sent me to my Microsoft account to purchase another year of support. I logged in and have searched my account page and additional support isn’t there? My only subscription is Microsoft 365 I see payment information Past orders Shouldn’t a huge banner, offer a major upgrade for extended support purchases? Millions of people need to purchase this extended service. I’d like to use this Dell laptop annother year. What’s the secret handshake to buy this product? ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-how-do-i-purchase-win-10-extended-updates/1026964/2 "2026-01-23T19:39:10Z")
I fixed some missing settings in my Microsoft Account. Setup a recovery email and did a One Drive backup. Restarted Update and I’m enrolled in Extended No Charge That was interesting. I had absolutely no idea what my Microsoft Account was. Fortunately I remembered my Skype account is my cell phone. Reset my password and my never used Microsoft Account is working. I’m an Android user. I live and use Google Accounts. I’m not thrilled that Microsoft knows my Gmail address. But I had to setup a recovery email. ---
**Author:** ![crazyjoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f14d63/32.png) [@crazyjoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crazyjoe)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2026, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-how-do-i-purchase-win-10-extended-updates/1026964/3 "2026-01-28T17:50:16Z")
I am glad that worked for you. When trying to enroll I simply got the “womething went wrong” dialog, with no help (the “get help” button took me to a generic Microsoft help page, not useful). I had to run all over the f’n internet and finally found a github script that would evaluate my eligibility for the ESU program. Apparently, Microsoft decided I was using a “commercial” device because I connected a “work or school” account to my computer, making it ineligible for the typical enrollment. I tried to disconnect that account but Microsoft warned me it would delete my files, kick my dog, and tear gas me in the face if I tried something like that. So I had to search up a way to get the “license” I needed. I ended up with TrustedTech and bought the license for $60, and they sent instructions on how to apply the license which worked nicely. Of course, my Updates screen still shows the warning “Your operating system is at end-of-life and missing critical updates” (or some such wording) even though I am now enrolled in ESU and watched it download the January 2026 security update and apply it. F’n Microsoft. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2026, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-how-do-i-purchase-win-10-extended-updates/1026964/4 "2026-01-28T22:36:50Z")
Microsoft is trying hard to copy Google with required registered Accounts and the App Store. I think that ship sailed. microsoft waited too long. i don’t use my Microsoft account or their email for anything except my laptop. my gmail accounts matter and thats what my phone is attached too. a pc laptop is a secondary device that I use when a larger screen is required. some of my personal software needs Windows to run properly. I am budgeting to buy a Win 11 laptop this Fall. I’m hearing news right now of security patches and bug fixes in Win 11. it should be much more stable in 10 months. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2026, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-how-do-i-purchase-win-10-extended-updates/1026964/5 "2026-01-28T22:55:20Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I’m hearing news right now of security patches and bug fixes in Win 11. Security patches and bug fixes are, and have been, a continual thing for essentially every Windows release. There are _always_ security patches, to fix issues which hackers have found to exploit, and there are _always_ bugs to be fixed. It’s why they push updates regularly. Win11 was released over 4 years ago. I’m not sure where you are coming from with this: > [@aceplace57](#): > > it should be much more stable in 10 months. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2026, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-how-do-i-purchase-win-10-extended-updates/1026964/6 "2026-01-28T23:02:40Z")
The January update was a disaster. I feel sorry for people that don’t update manually. I’m not applying the Jan update. NOPE. Not me. Fortunately I’m still on Win 10 and January cumulative update went well. It doesn’t get much worse than bricking a pc after updates. > **[Windows 11 won’t boot after January update? Try this.](https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/how-to-fix-boot-issues-after-installing-the-january-2026-update-for-windows-11)** > > The Jan 2026 Windows 11 update is causing boot failures for some, with PCs getting stuck at startup or refusing to load the OS entirely. Here's the fix. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2026, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-how-do-i-purchase-win-10-extended-updates/1026964/7 "2026-01-28T23:08:19Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > The January update was a disaster. They fucked up a patch – then broke something else in a fix to the patch – on a four-year-old OS, causing significant issues to _some_ machines. It’s not the first time they’ve had a problematic patch, and won’t be the last. For example, [this article](https://www.xda-developers.com/most-disastrous-windows-10-updates-ever/) lists a half-dozen serious issues with Win10 updates over its history. There’s nothing magical about it being Win11 that makes it a particular issue. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2026, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-how-do-i-purchase-win-10-extended-updates/1026964/8 "2026-01-28T23:22:43Z")
Wouldn’t dramatically increasing the User base with the end of support on October 14, 2025 make a difference? I don’t know. I’m speculating. Yes, a 4-year old operating system should be stable. Other than miscreants deliberately trying to exploit vulnerabilities. That’s always an on going problem in software. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2026, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-how-do-i-purchase-win-10-extended-updates/1026964/9 "2026-01-28T23:25:18Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Wouldn’t dramatically increasing the User base with the end of support on October 14, 2025 make a difference? I am not a programmer, and this is becoming a hijack, but…how? More people converting over to Win11 _would_ mean more people _affected_ by a glitchy patch, but I fail to see how it could have any sort of causal effect on that glitch happening. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2026, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-how-do-i-purchase-win-10-extended-updates/1026964/10 "2026-01-28T23:28:50Z")
I don’t know either. Let’s stay on track. I am relieved Microsoft gave users another year of support. I wasn’t in a good position to upgrade right now. I’m trying to get my old pc organized with a good work flow. I’ll plan to upgrade and buy in Sept. Have everything backed up and make it painless as possible. I can’t bitch. I bought a 2nd hand Corporate Dell for under $400 on Ebay. It was wiped with a fresh Win 10 install. Serves me well for almost 5 years. I’ll buy another one in Sept. Hopefully a Dell that some corporate office didn’t need after buying new. They’re always on Ebay at a reasonable cost. The seller will have a dozen or more of the same model for sale.