Microsoft releases update-fixing update for update-eligible Windows 10 PCs
In a significant development for users of the now-retired Windows 10 operating system, Microsoft has announced an extension of security updates for eligible PCs, despite the official end of support for Windows 10 last month. This extension comes in response to the operating system’s enduring popularity and the need for continued security amid a landscape of evolving cyber threats. Microsoft plans to provide Extended Security Updates (ESUs) for a period ranging from one to three years, allowing users to maintain some level of protection even after the official support has ceased. For many individuals, enrolling in this program can be done at no cost, offering a lifeline to those still reliant on Windows 10.
However, the process has not been without its challenges. Initial reports indicated that certain Windows 10 PCs were encountering bugs that prevented successful enrollment in the ESU program, a situation that left many users vulnerable due to a lack of access to critical security updates. The enrollment process requires manual action for each PC, and any issues in this process could result in a complete halt of security updates. In response to these concerns, Microsoft released an important update (KB5071959) for Windows 10 version 22H2, which addresses the enrollment wizard’s failures. This update is being rolled out to all Windows 10 PCs, ensuring that users affected by the enrollment issues can receive essential security updates and maintain their system’s integrity.
As the tech community continues to navigate the transition from Windows 10 to more modern operating systems, this extension of support highlights Microsoft’s commitment to its user base and the importance of security in today’s digital environment. With cyber threats on the rise, the availability of Extended Security Updates provides a critical buffer for users who may not yet be ready to upgrade to Windows 11 or other alternatives. This proactive approach not only reflects Microsoft’s recognition of Windows 10’s lasting impact but also underscores the company’s responsibility to protect its users during this transitional phase.
Officially,
Windows 10 died last month
, a little over a decade after its initial release. But the old operating system’s enduring popularity has prompted Microsoft to promise between one and three years of Extended Security Updates (ESUs) for many Windows 10 PCs. For individuals with Windows 10 PCs, it’s relatively easy to get an additional year of updates
at no cost
.
Or at least, it’s supposed to be. Bugs
initially identified by Windows Latest
were keeping some Windows 10 PCs from successfully enrolling in the ESU program, preventing those PCs from signing up to grab the free updates. And because each Windows 10 PC has to be manually enrolled in the program, a broken enrollment process also meant broken security updates.
To fix the problems, Microsoft released an update for Windows 10 22H2 (
KB5071959
) this week that both acknowledges and fixes an issue “where the enrollment wizard may fail during enrollment.” It’s being offered to all Windows 10 PCs regardless of whether they’re enrolled in the ESU program “as it resolves an issue that was preventing affected customers from receiving essential security updates.”
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