Windows 10 support has ended, but there are still 7 ways for you to continue using it securely.

On October 14, 2025, which was yesterday, Microsoft officially ended support for Windows 10. From then on, Microsoft will no longer provide feature updates and security patches, unless users register for the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program or upgrade to Windows 11. Compared with Windows XP and Windows 7, the lifecycle of Windows 10 only lasted for 10 years.

The reality is that Windows 11 has clear requirements for hardware, and some older devices cannot be installed in the conventional way. Some friends "stick to" Windows 10 because of relatively fewer ads, better compatibility, and so on... But after all, it's a computer. If you don't update the security patches, newly discovered vulnerabilities may bring additional security risks.

Therefore, we have compiled 7 feasible solutions to help you keep your system secure after Windows 10 support ends.

Solution 1: Register for the Windows 10 Consumer Extended Security Updates Program (ESU)

• Advantages: The official provides the most reliable system security and protection support, and the access threshold is low.
• Disadvantages: The program is only valid for one year, and it is unclear whether it can be used continuously in the future.

Although Microsoft has decided to end official support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, to give users more time to transition to Windows 11, Microsoft has launched the Extended Security Updates program (ESU) and provides a relatively low-cost registration method. That is to say, ordinary consumers only need to register for this program to get the same Windows 10 security update support as the enterprise version.

However, according to Microsoft's settings, registering for the Windows 10 Consumer Extended Security Updates Program (ESU) still needs to meet certain conditions:

• The system version must be Windows 10 22H2, and it is limited to the Home, Professional, Pro Education, or Workstations versions;
• The system needs to have the latest Windows updates installed;
• The user needs to log in with a Microsoft account, and this account must have administrator privileges.

Only after meeting the above conditions can you register for ESU. As for the registration method, Microsoft provides three options:

• Pay $30 to get one year of extended security support;
• Sync the settings of the computer currently logged in with a Microsoft account to the cloud;
• Redeem with 1000 Microsoft Rewards points;
• Windows 10 users in the EU can get it directly.

After meeting the above conditions, open "Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update". When the device meets the requirements, the system will display the ESU registration entry. At this time, click "Register now" to start the extended security update registration process. If you are currently logged in with a local account, the system will prompt you to switch to a Microsoft account; if device settings backup is enabled, the system will further prompt you to register ESU for this device.

After registering for ESU, an existing license can be used for up to 10 devices at most. You only need to go to "Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update" and select "Register now" on other devices. If the current device uses the Microsoft account used when registering the first device, just click "Add device"; if you are not logged in with the same account, the system will prompt you to log in with the Microsoft account used during registration first.

It should be noted that Microsoft has not clearly stated whether it will continue to provide the Windows 10 Consumer Extended Security Updates Program after one year. According to the official announcement, this program is expected to end on October 13, 2026. Therefore, if you plan to continue using Windows 10 in the next few years, this solution can only ensure security support for one year, and there may still be a risk of security update suspension after one year.

Solution 2: "Transfer" Security Updates

Advantages: Directly obtain the latest Windows 10 security updates.

Disadvantages: It needs to be consistent with the version of Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC, and currently, security updates need to be manually installed.

If you may remember, after the official announcement of the end of extended support for Windows XP, we could still obtain security updates through third - party means. By using the security updates of Windows Embedded POSReady 2009, which was still in the extended support period, and "deceiving" the Windows Update server by modifying the registry, these updates could be installed on Windows XP, which had reached the end of its lifecycle.

This method also applies to Windows 10. However, different from the situation of Windows XP, there is no need to modify the registry information here. You only need to manually search for and install offline update packages according to the security update knowledge base published by Microsoft every month. Considering that the version that will continue to receive updates in the future is Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021, and this version is based on Windows 10 21H2, it is best that your current Windows 10 version is 21H2.

First, you need to visit the Windows 10 version information support library on the official Microsoft website. On the website, locate Version 21H2 (OS build 19044) in the Windows 10 release information. Since the consumer - oriented Windows 10 21H2 version has stopped service, all the items shown in the list are from the LTSC release channel. What you need to do is find the knowledge base article number for this month, that is, the subsequent number starting with KB. This number is the number of the monthly security update.

Then visit the Microsoft® Update Catalog, which is an official offline security update download website provided by Microsoft. Enter the monthly knowledge base article number, that is, the number starting with KB, directly in the search box on the website. For example, if you want to download the offline security update package KB5065429 on September 9, 2024, just find the update package suitable for Windows 10 Version 21H2 in the search results.

For compatibility, I suggest choosing to download the Cumulative Update. After finding the corresponding update, click the "Download" button on the right side of the list to download it. After the download is completed, you can install it. This can ensure that your system gets the latest and most complete security patches and feature improvements.

The biggest advantage of this solution is that even if you cannot directly obtain security updates through Windows Update, we can still download the monthly security quality updates of the LTSC version to maintain basic information security. The disadvantage is also obvious, that is, you need to manually download and install security updates almost every month. Of course, it is not excluded that third - party developers will launch semi - automatic tools to help us extend the lifecycle of the Windows 10 system.

Solution 3: Switch to the Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC Version

Advantages: Continue the Windows 10 usage experience, need to log in with a Microsoft account, and it is an officially streamlined system.

Disadvantages: The EOL of LTSC 2021 is only until 2027, and it belongs to the volume licensing agreement.

For enterprise users or ordinary users who pursue stability, replacing the system or performing a major version update will bring considerable migration and learning costs. Continuing to use Windows 10 is a better choice.

The LTSC version is a long - term service channel version provided by Microsoft for enterprises, education, and other fields.

Compared with other Windows 10 versions, the main difference of LTSC is that it does not receive feature updates frequently, and some features including the Microsoft Store are removed. The support cycle of the LTSC version is not affected by the end - of - support time of the ordinary Windows 10 version. Currently, the extended support date of the Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2019 version is until January 9, 2029, and the mainstream support period of Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021, which is based on Windows 10 21H2, is until January 12, 2027. Choosing Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC can eliminate concerns about major Windows version migrations for a long time.

The installation process of Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC is similar to that of general Windows 10. The only difference is the account login selection during the OOBE (Out - of - Box Experience) stage. Although the system requires logging in with a work or school Microsoft account by default, you can create a local account by clicking "Join a domain instead" in the lower - left corner. If necessary, after the installation is completed and you enter the system, you can also choose to switch to a Microsoft online account. According to my test, switching to a Microsoft online account within the system also supports general Microsoft accounts.

After installation and activation, you can view the version information of Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC in "Settings - About". The displayed build number is 19044.xx, which is the same as that of Windows 10 21H2. Therefore, software that supports Windows 10 21H2 can also run normally on Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021.

Of course, if you want to use Microsoft online services (such as the Microsoft Store) later, you can also manually install the Microsoft Store through third - party tools, such as the "Add Store to Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC" tool. In this way, you can download applications from the app store and use other Microsoft online services for general consumers.

Solution 4: Use Third - Party Tools to Force - Upgrade Windows 10 to Windows 11

Advantages: Retain all the configuration items and files of the original Windows 10 and smoothly upgrade to Windows 11.

Disadvantages: Requires a certain level of technical operation ability.

Of course, considering that Windows 10 will eventually exit the historical stage, it's time to upgrade to Windows 11. The main reason why many users still choose to use Windows 10 is hardware limitations - for example, the system must support TPM 2.0, and the processor must be at least an Intel 8th - generation Core series to meet the Windows 11 installation standard. So, is there a way to allow older hardware to install Windows 11 smoothly?

Flyoobe is a tool that can help users quickly upgrade Windows 10 computers that do not meet the hardware requirements to Windows 11. First, we download the latest version from Github and extract it to any folder, and then run the Flyo application in the folder.

After opening the application, click "Get Windows 11" first. There are multiple options here: you can download directly from the official Microsoft website or obtain the image through the Media Creation tool. If you have already downloaded the Windows 11 system image, just drag it into the Patch area, and the application will automatically run the necessary scripts to help you skip the Windows 11 hardware detection.

Actually, Flyoobe bypasses the Windows 11 hardware detection by using the installation media of Windows Server, and then the installation program will continue to perform the official installation of Windows 11. During this process, you can choose to "Keep files, settings, and apps",