Emily Long is a freelance author based in Salt Lake City.
After graduating from Duke University, she spent multiple years reporting on the national workforce for Government Executive, a publish of Atlantic Media Company, in Washington, D.C. She has nearly a decade of cognition as a freelancer covering tech (including issues connected to security, privacy, and streaming) as fine as individual backing and travel.
In supplement to Lifehacker, her activity has been featured on Wirecutter, Tom’s Guide, and ZDNET. Emily has additionally worked as a journey guide about the U.S. and as a satisfied editor. She has a masters in social activity and is a licensed therapist in Utah.
If you are motionless holding on to Windows 10, there's fine news: Microsoft is offering another twelvemonth of safety updates, pushing the Windows 11 upgrade deadline rear to Oct. 12, 2027.
Microsoft officially ended assistance for the older OS final twelvemonth but allowed users to associate the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program in command to keep safety against viruses and hackers. ESU coverage was expected to expire on Oct. 13, 2026, but the business is allowing enrolled Windows 10 users to obtain monthly patches for another year—and it's not too delayed to sign up if you haven't already.
You can remain on Windows 10 through Oct. 2027
If you're already in Microsoft's ESU program, your safety volition automatically continue through Oct. 12, 2027 without any additional act on your part. If you haven't, though, you can enroll in ESU at any period until the program ends next year. To be eligible, your equipment must be operating Windows 10 type 22H2 Home, Professional, Pro Education, or Workstations editions and have the latest Windows update installed. You must additionally be signed into a Microsoft document alongside director status.
Windows users were initially capable to acquisition ESU safety for $30, and Microsoft afterward added the choice to either redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points or opt into Windows Backup to get safety for free. To inspect your safety or sign up, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and appearance for an ESU enrollment nexus (visible if your equipment is eligible). Follow the prompts to sign into your Microsoft document and choose your enrollment option. If you've already purchased an ESU license, you can use it to up to 10 devices operating Windows 10 as lengthy as they are connected to your Microsoft account.
The ESU program does not contain any new features or non-security updates, but if you desire to remain on Windows 10, it's extremely recommended that you enroll in the program. Microsoft has started pushing hundreds of crucial safety fixes all month—a fistful of which have been actively exploited zero-days—so you should justify your equipment stays protected for as lengthy as possible.
Emily Long is a freelance author based in Salt Lake City.
