How to Sign Up for Microsoft Windows 10 Security Updates
Windows 10

If You Want to Keep Using Windows 10 Safely For Another Year, Here’s How to Sign Up for Extended Security Updates.

We will try to simplify the Windows 10 Extended Security Update sign-up process for you.

First, to make it easy, you must be signed in to your Windows 10 computer with a Microsoft account. You must be running the latest version of Windows 10 (22H2).

You’ll find a link to sign up for Extended Security Updates in Settings > Windows Update, as shown below:

Clicking enroll now, leads to an “Enrollment wizard” which will give you several options. If you’re signed in with a Microsoft account and have previously used the Windows Backup program to save your settings to Microsoft’s cloud (OneDrive), you’ll see this.

“If you’re signed in with a Microsoft account and you’ve already used the Windows Backup program, you’ll be able to enroll for free, immediately.”  

Note: What is “Windows Backup”? Windows Backup ESU refers to using the Windows Backup app to enroll in Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for free. This program provides critical security updates for Windows 10 for one year after its official end of support on October 14, 2025, helping to protect your PC from new threats during that time. By using Windows Backup, you sync your settings to your Microsoft account, which allows you to receive these updates without paying the usual $30 one-time fee or using Microsoft Rewards points.

If you’re signed in with a local account or if you haven’t previously run Windows Backup, you still have more to do. You’ll see the following appear in the enrollment wizard instead.

You’ll see options to “Back up your PC Settings”, Redeem “Microsoft points” that you have received from searching with Bing or buying Microsoft products from the Microsoft store.” You’ll need 1000 points. Or pay $30 (U.S.D.) for critical security updates for one year, “One-time purchase”.

And if you have more than one Windows 10 computer that you sign into with the same Microsoft account, Extended Security Updates covers multiple PCs…as long as you sign into all of them with the same Microsoft account. Extended Security Updates will be delivered to your computer(s) for one year beginning on October 14, 2025.

Microsoft could have made this simpler, but what can we say? We hope this helps those of you who do not want to update to Windows 11 to continue to use Windows 10 safely for another year.

Remember, Windows 10 support ends on October 14, 2025. If you want to use Windows 10 safely for another full year, sign up for EOS by October 14 

Laptop Users: Don’t Forget the Function Key
Windows 10 / Windows 11

If you recently purchased a new laptop or received one as a gift, this tip will be very helpful to you. And for those of you who’ve been using a laptop for a while, this tip will serve as a reminder to you.

The Function Key (the Fn key) on your laptop’s keyboard adds functionality to your laptop. You will see the function key labeled as the Fn, fn, or FN key. We’re going to refer to it in this article as the Fn key.

Keep in mind that every laptop manufacturer has different Fn key combinations – but some are fairly universal, such as the Fn key plus the F2 key toggles your Wi-Fi connection on and off; some are specific to one brand or another.

First, you’ll want to find your Fn key on your keyboard. Here it is:

You’ll want to check your laptop manufacturer’s website for the Function key combinations for your brand of laptop. Just to show you some of the useful functions the Fn key provides, here are some that work on one of my laptops. Use this as a guide only - every laptop brand is different.

• Zzz icon (F1): Fn+ F1 Places the Notebook PC in suspend mode (In case you’re wondering: The Zzz key is the icon on the F1 key on some ASUS laptops – the Zzz meaning “sleep”.)
• Radio Tower Icon (F2): Fn+F2 Toggles the internal wireless LAN or Bluetooth (on selected models) ON or OFF with an on-screen display. When enabled, the corresponding wireless indicator will light. Windows software settings are necessary to use the wireless LAN or Bluetooth.
• Sun Down Icon (F5): Fn+F5 Decreases the display brightness
• Sun Up Icon (F6): Fn+F6 Increases the display brightness
• LCD Icon (F7): Fn+ F7 Toggles the display panel ON and OFF.
• LCD/Monitor Icons (F8): Toggles between the Laptop's display and an external monitor; NOTE: You must connect an external monitor “before” booting up.
• Crossed-out Touchpad (F9) (on selected models). Fn+F9 toggles the built-in touchpad between LOCKED (disabled) and UNLOCKED (enabled). Locking the touchpad will prevent you from accidentally moving the pointer while typing and is best used with an external pointing device such as a mouse.
• Crossed Speaker Icons (F10): Fn+F10 Toggles the speakers ON and OFF
• Speaker Down Icon (F11): Fn+F11 Decreases the speaker volume
• Speaker Up Icon (F12): Fn+F12 increases the speaker volume (only in Windows OS)
• Num Lk (Ins): Fn+Num Lock Key Toggles the numeric keypad (number lock) ON and OFF. Allows you to use a larger portion of the keyboard for number entry.
• Scr Lk (Del): Fn+Scroll Lock Key – Toggles the “Scroll Lock” ON and OFF. Allows you to use a larger portion of the keyboard for cell navigation.

While some of these Fn key combinations above may work on your laptop, be sure to check your laptop manufacturer’s website for Fn key combinations for your brand of laptop. Whatever brand of laptop you have, you'll find that Fn Key combinations allow you to add more functionality to your laptop.