Some Windows users are in a quandary. Since Windows 10 ceased to receive support from Oct. 14, the only way to avoid moving to Windows 11 (if the hardware allowed), was to sign up to Extended Security Updates. But some people are reporting that ESU isn’t being offered as an option.
This will prove problematic in a matter of hours, because on Tuesday, Nov. 11, Microsoft’s next patch will be made available — but only to those who have signed up to ESU.
A new report from Windows Latest says that “Several users told me that they are not able to sign up for Windows 10 Extended Security Updates, even as the OS has already reached the end of support on October 14, 2025. The next patch is scheduled for November 11 only for those with ESU,” it said.
The report says the situation is particularly acute for users based in Europe, where attempts to enroll in ESU are met by messages saying it’s coming soon or temporarily unavailable. Microsoft has previously told Windows Latest that this could just be a matter of timing.
“The enrollment experience for the Windows 10 Extended Security Updates (ESU) program may vary by region based on local market factors,” Microsoft told the publication in a statement.
Why is this delay happening in Europe? “Microsoft also told me that it’s been making changes to options offered in the EU and that might delay things for some people,” the report went on. But that’s not the only problem being encountered.
Some PCs are seeing warnings that “Something went wrong.” This might be because the PC is perceived to be part of a business and therefore a payment needs to be made for ESU for business machines.
However, “if you connected a work account or tried connecting in the past, leftovers from an old work or school connection could incorrectly identify a regular PC as an enterprise PC by the ESU program,” the report says, and recommends disconnecting a work or school account and “delete related folders in File Explorer,” it adds.
The problem can also arise if Windows thinks you’re in a region that’s not supported, such as Russia.
With just days to go before the next security update, and several reasons for users to be unable to register for ESU, this problem is becoming urgent.
