# Why am I still getting Windows updates?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-still-getting-windows-updates/1025000
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [November 20, 2025, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-still-getting-windows-updates/1025000 "2025-11-20T05:42:36Z")
**Posts on this page:** 8
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@I.Dunno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I.Dunno)
#### Post date: [November 20, 2025, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-still-getting-windows-updates/1025000/1 "2025-11-20T05:42:37Z")
I am typing this on an old HP Elitebook with Windows 10 that cannot be upgraded to Win 11. I have not paid for an extra year nor have I done anything else to try to extend security services. I was under the impression that I will get no more security updates at all after Oct 25th or thereabouts.
So why am I getting Protection Updates from Microsoft Defender Antivirus? Today was the second time this month. I only know about them because of restart requests.
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### Author:  [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)
#### Post date: [November 20, 2025, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-still-getting-windows-updates/1025000/2 "2025-11-20T05:56:15Z")
You aren’t getting updates for Windows 10 itself anymore, but you’ll still be getting Defender updates for several years.
> [@](#):
>
> - Defender supports a range of legacy systems, including Windows 10. ([See here for a full list of supported operating systems](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/defender-endpoint/minimum-requirements#windows-versions-supported-by-defender-for-endpoint).) Microsoft Defender will continue to provide detection and protection capabilities to the extent possible on Windows 10 and other legacy systems. Keep in mind that security solutions on legacy systems are inherently less secure and may not be able to receive all new features, so please review the next section for important actions you can take.
> - For Windows 10 customers without Defender, Microsoft will continue to provide security intelligence updates for the built-in Microsoft Defender Antivirus protection through October 2028. Of course, Defender Antivirus alone isn’t a comprehensive risk mitigation posture without Microsoft Defender detection and response deployed across your digital estate.
> **[End of Windows 10 Support: What Defender Customers Need to Know | Microsoft...](https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoftdefenderatpblog/end-of-windows-10-support-what-defender-customers-need-to-know/4461349)**
>
> As of today, October 14, 2025, Microsoft is officially ending support for Windows 10. This means that Windows 10 devices will no longer receive security or...
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### Author:  [@I.Dunno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I.Dunno)
#### Post date: [November 20, 2025, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-still-getting-windows-updates/1025000/3 "2025-11-20T06:08:50Z")
Ok thank you. I guess I’m a bit confused. If I’m still getting Defender updates, what is it that I’m not getting?
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### Author:  [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)
#### Post date: [November 20, 2025, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-still-getting-windows-updates/1025000/4 "2025-11-20T06:13:12Z")
> [@I.Dunno](#):
>
> I guess I’m a bit confused. If I’m still getting Defender updates, what is it that I’m not getting?
As I understand it: Defender is updating its anti-virus data as new viruses and threats emerge, and you’re still getting those updates. But with no further Win10 updates, they won’t be providing any further fixes and security updates to the OS itself, which close down vulnerabilities in Windows itself that hackers discover and exploit.
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### Author:  [@I.Dunno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I.Dunno)
#### Post date: [November 20, 2025, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-still-getting-windows-updates/1025000/5 "2025-11-20T06:33:01Z")
I see. Thank you.
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### Author:  [@phs3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phs3)
#### Post date: [November 20, 2025, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-still-getting-windows-updates/1025000/6 "2025-11-20T18:27:31Z")
And you should see about getting free Win10 updates for the next year. Google it, you’ll see a few ways to do so. All of my Win10 machines qualified majikally.
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### Author:  [@md-2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md-2000)
#### Post date: [November 20, 2025, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-still-getting-windows-updates/1025000/7 "2025-11-20T19:37:43Z")
I just did this. There’s a MS KB (Knowledge Base) that you may have to install to let it accept updates, then sign in with an email to provide security(?) updates for another year or so.
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### Author:  [@I.Dunno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I.Dunno)
#### Post date: [November 21, 2025, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-still-getting-windows-updates/1025000/8 "2025-11-21T00:44:32Z")
Thanks everyone. I’ll look into the Knowledge Base thing.