Legacy Update Help
How do I continue receiving updates for Windows 10?
Windows 10 support ends on 14 October 2025. Yes, it’s silly that Microsoft is doing this so soon, but this has already been discussed all over the internet, and we don’t need to re-litigate that here. Instead, we’ll look at what you can do to continue safely using your Windows 10 devices.
Don’t panic
Windows 10 will continue to work for the foreseeable future. The end of support date only indicates when Microsoft will no longer release free security and feature updates for “mainstream” customers. Microsoft will also stop providing customer service for Windows 10.
We can’t make recommendations on whether it is safe for you to continue using an operating system without security updates - this varies from person to person. Use your best judgement to decide how to continue using devices still running Windows 10.
We can only speculate on how third-party app developers will continue to support Windows 10, however, it seems very likely that apps will continue to support it for between 1 and 3 years. For apps that have announced their support plans, refer to the list below.
Do I need Legacy Update on Windows 10?
At this time, Legacy Update does not make any system-level changes to Windows 10 or 11. On these versions, Legacy Update only installs its ActiveX control, which allows you to use the original Windows Update website through Internet Explorer.
Currently, there are no issues that restrict any version of Windows 10 from reaching Windows Update. If this changes, we will add features to Legacy Update to resolve issues with Windows 10.
Windows 10 introduces the concept of “Windows as a Service”, where the operating system receives continuous major updates once or twice per year. This involved an overhaul of the Windows servicing stack, making it more robust than it used to be. Additionally, in the past decade, changes in web security standards have been minor, so it is unlikely that a security change will break Windows 10’s access to the Windows Update service.
Options to continue using your Windows 10 PC
Extended Security Updates
While mainstream support is ending, Microsoft will continue providing security updates for one year with the consumer Extended Security Updates program.
Enrolment in consumer ESU requires one of the following:
Syncing your PC settings using Windows Backup.
Redeeming 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points.
A purchase of $30.00 USD.
If you are located in the European Economic Area, it has been reported that Microsoft is providing consumer ESU for free. It’s not yet clear whether this is automatic, or if it will require manual enrolment.
For users located elsewhere, follow Microsoft’s instructions to enroll in Windows 10 Consumer Extended Security Updates. You can do so at any point before consumer ESU ends on 13 October 2026. This requires a local administrator user to be logged into a Microsoft Account. It can not be used on devices that are joined to a domain or MDM.
Windows 11
There are issues with Windows 11, such as the difficulty of creating a user account without signing into a Microsoft account, but there is one constant you can rely on: It’s still just Windows. Despite its flaws, our best recommendation is still to upgrade to Windows 11, which has new security features that are not available on Windows 10.
Microsoft is recommending users still running Windows 10 should upgrade to Windows 11 if their hardware is eligible. If not eligible, you may be able to bypass hardware requirements and install Windows 11 anyway. Note that you may have issues installing updates in this state.
Windows 10 IoT LTSC
Some users have moved to Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021, a cut-down edition of Windows 10 21H2 designed for embedded devices. This edition has a significantly extended servicing lifetime, ending in January 2032.
Do note that this edition is licensed separately from regular Windows 10 Home and Pro - your current license will not transfer over, and you will most likely be running it unlicensed. You may also lose access to some features of the regular Windows 10 editions.
Linux
If your device is used for fairly light tasks, such as web browsing, checking email, and writing documents, you will likely find that Linux is a great replacement for Windows. For more information, check out the End of 10 campaign. Make sure you back up your data first, and be aware of how to return your device to Windows should you find that Linux is not suitable for you.
Third-party apps
Here is a very incomplete list of what some prominent apps have announced regarding Windows 10 support:
Chrome: Google has not announced an end of support date for Chrome.
Firefox: Mozilla has not announced an end of support date for Firefox, “but if one will be set, it’s still several years away.”
Microsoft Defender: Definition updates for Microsoft Defender Antivirus on Windows 10 will continue to be released until October 2028.
Microsoft Edge: “Microsoft Edge and the Microsoft WebView2 Runtime will continue to receive updates on Windows 10 22H2 until at least October 2028”.
Microsoft Office: Feature updates will continue until August 2026 for most users (Current Channel). Security updates will continue until October 2028.
If you know of an app that should be listed here and has announced plans for Windows 10 support, let us know.
A note about recycling
Microsoft is suggesting users of hardware that is not supported by Windows 11 should purchase a new device, and recycle the old device. We know that sometimes recycling may be the only viable option, but we strongly recommend either selling/giving away your old devices to someone who might need them, or donating them to organisations that can make use of them. (Make sure to erase your data from the device first.)
Recycling consumer electronics is known to still mostly be a wasteful process, as only a small amount of the raw materials can be recovered and reused. Additionally, manufacturing of new hardware produces significant emissions. As one example, Apple estimates that for a 14-inch MacBook Pro used continuously for 4 years, 74% of emissions produced in the lifetime of the device occur during manufacturing.
Unfortunately, please note that many thrift stores, particularly in the United States, recycle most hardware they receive.