Windows 10 will stop receiving updates – Here's what you can do

This was a bulletin post but people told me they found this information useful so I decided to polish it up a little bit and add another method (that I completely forgot). More methods are being discovered regularly so there's likely gonna be a new method by the time I'm posting this blog. Anyway, here's what that bulletin had:

So, the day finally came: Microsoft officially pulled the plug on Windows 10. That means it will no longer receive security updates, except in Europe or for those willing to pay for a subscription — which, honestly, should be considered treason. If they can roll out free updates for Europe, they can damn well do it everywhere. Especially in the U.S., the country that turned that garbage company into the tech giant it is today.

Anyway, if you’re not in Europe and understandably don’t want to pay for a subscription or be forced into upgrading to Windows 11, you still have several options.

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1. Do Nothing (and Be Careful)

The easiest route: keep using Windows 10 as is.

Just practice safe browsing habits, avoid shady sites and torrents, and install at least Malwarebytes and CryptoPrevent (the free version works fine).

Of course, this means you’ll remain vulnerable to major security flaws – but it’s the simplest approach if you’re careful.

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2. Force upgrade to Windows 11 

Although, I personally don't recommend using Windows 11, if your hardware is recent enough and you have either an SSD or at least 4 GB of RAM, then you can update to Windows 11 even if you don't see the option to do so. One downside of this method is that every time there's a feature update Windows won't notify you of said update and it will require a manual installation. 

There are a few methods for this, including one where you change a few registry keys and then waiting for the option to appear but I have found a new method here.

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3. Switch to Windows LTSC

This version will receive updates until 2032.

The catch? It’s based on 21H2, so if your software requires 22H2, this workaround won’t help. Also, another issue worth mentioning is that it's not free, although it's not terribly expensive either. I guess you could also sail the high seas for an activation-- personally, I would rather pay a key reseller just for the peace of mind but I'm not judging you if you decide to pirate Windows 11.

Some people claim to have bypassed the 22H2 check — I haven’t verified it myself, so take it with a grain of salt.

Detailed instructions can be found in this video.

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4. Trick Windows Into the ESU Program

This recently discovered method enrolls your system in Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates (ESU) program.

It seems to work – and it’s free – but you’ll need a Microsoft account.

You must also log in at least once every 60 days, and the license appears to be valid for only a year. Still, it buys you some time while new workarounds emerge.

Instructions are in this video.

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5. Earn ESU Access with Microsoft Rewards

A similar method: enable backups and use Microsoft Points.

You’ll need at least 1,000 points, and the same 60-day login rule applies.

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6. Switch to Linux

If you’re a gamer, I recommend Bazzite – it’s almost identical to SteamOS but based on Fedora.

Linux gaming has come a long way, though it’s not perfect yet, so consider keeping a Windows partition for software that won’t run on Linux. Be careful, though, as there have been instances where Windows wiped Linux partitions. 

If you just want something that works, Linux Mint is the way to go. There’s even a Debian Edition if you want it completely stripped of Ubuntu’s influence.

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That’s all the workarounds and options I know of.

If you know of any others, let me know here – and if you found this useful, tell me so I can post it on the blog.