Can't Sign Up For Windows 10 Security Updates? Here's The Fix

Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNET

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ZDNET's cardinal takeaways

• Microsoft's ESU programme provides information updates for Windows 10.
• You usually conscionable caput to Windows Update to registry for nan program.
• If nan action doesn't appear, location are ways to trigger it.

Choosing to instrumentality pinch Windows 10 contempt this week's support cutoff from Microsoft? OK, but you still want to make judge that your PC is protected against vulnerabilities and different information threats. And for that, Microsoft offers an Extended Security Update program that guarantees captious and important information patches for nan adjacent year.

You tin suffice for nan ESU programme successful a fewer different ways. If you don't mind spending immoderate money, nan programme costs a level interest of $30. Alternatively, you're capable to redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points, assuming you've compiled astatine slightest that many. To gain rewards points, you typically person to tally different searches utilizing Microsoft Bing.

Also: Microsoft said my PC can't tally Windows 11, but I upgraded successful 5 minutes anyhow - here's how

But why ammunition retired money aliases rewards points erstwhile you tin snag nan ESU for free? For that, you simply person to move to nan built-in Windows Backup tool to backmost up and sync your settings to nan cloud.

How to motion up

Signing up for nan ESU programme is usually a straightforward process. In Windows 10, caput to Settings and prime Windows Update. You should past spot a caller conception for enrolling successful nan Extended Security Updates. Click nan Enroll Now link.

If Windows detects that you've already backed up your settings via nan Backup tool, past you'll beryllium offered nan programme for free. Otherwise, you whitethorn beryllium asked if you want to walk nan $30 aliases redeem your Microsoft Rewards points. Then, click nan Enroll fastener and you're set.

But what if you don't spot nan action to enroll? That could hap for immoderate number of reasons.

First, make judge you're signed successful arsenic an administrator aliases person administrative authorities connected your PC. Also, nan action won't look if you're logged successful pinch a kid account, truthful make judge your Microsoft relationship is registered arsenic an adult.

Second, nan action appears only if you're moving Windows 10 22H2, which is nan latest type of nan ten-year-old OS. You besides must person installed nan latest updates. Go to Settings and past Windows Update. Click nan fastener to cheque for updates and let them to download and install.

To double-check your type of Windows 10, spell to Settings, prime System, and past click About. The conception for Windows Specifications should show 22H2 arsenic nan version.

Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNET

Check nan Windows Update conception again to spot if nan enroll action now appears. Still nothing? Then it's clip for a hole to unit nan issue. Courtesy of PC World, this 1 requires immoderate command-line tweaks and a Registry hack.

1. Click nan Windows hunt bar, type CMD astatine nan hunt field. Right-click connected nan consequence and take "Run arsenic administrator."
2. At nan bid prompt, type nan pursuing string: sc.exe config DiagTrack start=auto. Then property Enter.
3. At nan prompt, type nan string: sc.exe commencement DiagTrack and past property Enter.
4. Still astatine nan bid prompt, type aliases transcript nan pursuing string: reg.exe adhd "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Policies\Microsoft\FeatureManagement\Overrides" /v 4011992206 /t REG_DWORD /d 2 /f
5. Exit nan bid model and restart your PC.
6. Open nan bid punctual again. Type nan string: cmd /c ClipESUConsumer.exe -evaluateEligibility.
7. Exit nan bid model and restart your PC erstwhile more.

Head backmost to Windows update, and you should now spot nan ESU enroll action disposable for you. I tried this hole pinch a Windows 10 virtual instrumentality connected which nan ESU action was not initially appearing. After going done each nan steps, nan conception and nexus yet popped up.

If nan action still doesn't appear, past it's clip to telephone successful nan cavalry, namely Microsoft support. You tin usage nan built-in Get Help app to unfastened a support summons aliases telephone Microsoft support astatine 1 of nan numbers listed connected its customer work telephone numbers page.