Do this to avoid paying $30 for updates after Windows 10 retires in 2025

Microsoft to offer extended support for Windows 10 users beyond 2025, but it will cost $30.
This program provides only security updates, no new features, fixes, or technical support.
The best way to avoid the extra cost is to plan and upgrade to Windows 11 as soon as possible.
This is also an option even for devices with hardware that doesn’t meet the minimum requirements.

Windows 10 support is set to end on October 14, 2025, and Microsoft will, for the first time, offer regular consumers access to an Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for an additional $30 to continue receiving updates. However, you can avoid this extra cost by upgrading to Windows 11, which the company currently allows using your existing Windows 10 product key.

Why upgrade to Windows 11 instead of paying for ESU?

Upgrading to Windows 11 is the most straightforward way to avoid paying for the ESU plan and continue receiving security updates. Using your Windows 10 product key, you can activate a free upgrade or clean installation of Windows 11, effectively extending the security and feature updates on your system without additional fees.

If your device doesn’t meet the official Windows 11 hardware requirements, it’s still possible to install the newer version of the operating system by bypassing these restrictions. While this places the device in an “unsupported” state (meaning that Microsoft won’t guarantee compatibility or support), updates will still be available. Issues on unsupported systems are uncommon, but they may arise due to the lack of guaranteed compatibility.

Should you consider paying the $30?

If you’re still considering the $30 fee for the ESU, keep in mind that this will only cover one year of updates, providing only essential security patches. Unlike regular support, this plan will not include new features, bug fixes, or technical support, making it a limited, short-term option. Microsoft plans to open enrollment for the ESU as the Windows 10 end-of-support date approaches.

What upgrade option should you use?

There are several ways to upgrade your system to Windows 11, depending on your needs:

In-place Upgrade: Keeps your files, applications, and most settings intact, making for an easier transition.
Clean Installation: Starts with a fresh installation of Windows 11, wiping your previous data. This option is recommended for better performance and fewer issues, though it requires you to back up and restore your files afterward.

In this guide, I’ll outline the simplest methods to upgrade from Windows 10 to 11, allowing you to avoid additional costs and enjoy the latest Windows experience.

Upgrade Windows 10 to Windows 11 for free on supported hardware
Upgrade Windows 10 to Windows 11 for free on unsupported hardware

Important: It’s recommended that you fully backup your computer before proceeding in case something goes wrong and you need to roll back. If you choose the clean installation process, it’s critical to create a backup of your files since this process will wipe out everything on the system. You’ve been warned.

Upgrade Windows 10 to Windows 11 for free on supported hardware

On Windows 10, you have multiple options to upgrade to Windows 11, but using Windows Update and clean installation are perhaps the easiest methods.

Upgrade supported hardware via Windows Update

To upgrade to Windows 11 from Windows 10 through Windows Update, use these steps:

Open Settings on Windows 10.
Click on Update & Security.
Click on Windows Update.
Click the “Check for updates” button.
Click the “Download and install” button.
Click the Restart now button.

After you complete the steps, Windows 11 will install on the computer.

You can also perform an in-place upgrade using the Installation Assistant and ISO file.

Upgrade supported hardware via clean install

To perform a clean install of Windows 11 to upgrade a Windows 10 computer, use these steps:

Start the PC with the Windows 11 USB flash drive.
Press any key to continue.
Choose the installation language and format.
Click the Next button.
Choose the keyboard and input method.
Click the Next button.
Select the “Install Windows 11” option.
Check the “I agree everything” option to confirm this process will delete everything on the device.
Click the “I don’t have a product key” option.

Quick note: The computer will activate automatically with the previous Windows 10 product key.
Select the edition of “Windows 11” your license key activates (if applicable).
Click the Next button.
Click the Accept button.
Select each partition on the hard drive where you want to install Windows 11 and click the Delete button. (Usually, “Drive 0” is the drive that contains all the installation files.)
Select the hard drive (Drive 0 Unallocated Space) to install the operating system.
Click the Next button.
Click the Install button.

Once you complete the steps, you will have to continue with the out-of-the-box experience (OOBE) to create your account and apply your privacy settings.

In addition to using a USB bootable media, you can also perform a clean installation of Windows 11 from an ISO file or Media Creation Tool.

Upgrade Windows 10 to Windows 11 for free on unsupported hardware

If you have a Windows 10 computer that doesn’t meet the minimum hardware requirements, you can upgrade to Windows 11. You can still perform an in-place upgrade or clean installation, but you will have to perform some additional steps.

In my experience, it’s best to perform a clean installation rather than an in-place upgrade for unsupported hardware since it minimizes the chances of issues during and after the upgrade.

Upgrade unsupported hardware via ISO file

The process to install the latest version of Windows 11 on a device that doesn’t meet the requirements involves downloading and mounting the official ISO file for Windows 11 and then running a special command to launch the setup bypassing the requirements.

1. Download Windows 11 ISO file

To download the ISO file for the new feature update for an unsupported hardware setup, use these steps:

Open Microsoft Support website.
Select the Windows 11 option under the “Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) for x64 devices” section.
Click the Download button.
Select the installation language.
Click the Confirm button.
Click the Download button to save the ISO file on the computer.

Once you complete the steps, you can mount the Windows 11 ISO file to start the setup process.

2. Windows 11 unsupported PC upgrade process

To upgrade a computer that doesn’t meet the Windows 11 requirements, use these steps:

Open File Explorer (Windows key + E).
Open the Windows 11 ISO file location.
Right-click the ISO file, select the Open with submenu, and choose the Windows Explorer option.
Confirm the letter for the drive with the installation files.
Open Start.
Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and choose the Run as administrator option.
Type the following command to open the location with the installation files and press Enter:
```
J:
```
In the command, change the letter “J” for the letter that corresponds to your drive.
Type the following command to run the Windows 11 setup bypassing the hardware requirements and press Enter:
```
setup.exe /product server
```
Quick tip: If the command doesn’t work, in the installation drive, open the “Sources” folder with the cd sources command and run the setupprep /product server command to launch the setup again.
(Optional) Click the “Change how Windows Setup downloads updates” option.
Select the “Not right now” option.
Click the Next button.
Check the “Keep files, settings, and apps” option.
Click the Install button to upgrade while keeping files and apps.

After you complete the steps, the setup will upgrade Windows 10 to 11. Since this is an upgrade, you won’t have to configure the Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE), and your files and apps will be kept.

Upgrade unsupported hardware via clean install

If you want to upgrade your computer to Windows 11 using a clean installation, you will have to download the official ISO file and use the Rufus tool to create a USB bootable media. After this process, you can start the computer with the USB flash drive and continue with the installation process.

1. Download Windows 11 ISO file

To download the official Windows 11 ISO file, use these steps:

Open Microsoft Support website.
Select the Windows 11 option under the “Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) for x64 devices” section.
Click the Download button.
Select the installation language.
Click the Confirm button.
Click the Download button to save the Windows 11 ISO file on the computer.

Once you complete the steps, you can use the Windows 11 ISO file to create an installation media.

2. Create Windows 11 bootable media

To create a Windows 11 USB bootable media, connect a USB flash drive of at least 8GB and use these steps:

Open Rufus website.
Click the link to download the latest version under the “Download” section.
Choose the USB flash drive from the “Device” setting.
Double-click the executable to launch the tool.
Click the Select button.
Select the Windows 11 ISO file.
Click the Open button.
Continue with the default settings after the download.
(Optional) Specify a name for the drive under the “Volume label” setting.
Click the Start button.
Check the “Remove requirement for 4GB+ RAM, Secure Boot and TPM 2.0” option to install Windows 11 on unsupported hardware.
Check the “Remove requirement for an online Microsoft account” option to bypass the internet and Microsoft account requirements and create a local account.
(Optional) Check the “Create a local account with username” option and specify an account name to create a local account automatically.
Check the “Disable BitLocker automatic device encryption” option to prevent the setup from enabling BitLocker during the installation.
Click the OK button.

Once you complete the steps, Rufus will create the installation media for unsupported hardware.

If the option to create a local account automatically was selected, the setup will create the account without a password. After the upgrade, creating a password and PIN from the “Sign-in options” page is important.

3. Windows 11 unsupported PC clean install process

To perform a clean install of Windows 11 on unsupported hardware, use these steps:

Start the PC with the Windows 11 USB flash drive.
Press any key to continue.
Choose the installation language and format.
Click the Next button.
Choose the keyboard and input method.
Click the Next button.
Select the “Install Windows 11” option.
Check the “I agree everything” option to confirm this process will delete everything on the computer.
Click the “I don’t have a product key” option.

Quick note: The computer will activate automatically after the installation since the previous setup was activated with a Windows 10 product key.
Select the edition of “Windows 11” your license key activates (if applicable).
Click the Next button.
Click the Accept button.
Select each partition in the hard drive you want to install Windows 11 and click the Delete button. (Usually, the “Drive 0” is the drive that contains all the installation files.)
Select the hard drive (Drive 0 Unallocated Space) to install the latest preview of the operating system.
Click the Next button.
Click the Install button.
Choose your region setting on the first page of the out-of-the-box experience (OOBE) after the installation.

After you complete the steps, continue with the out-of-the-box experience (OOBE) to create your account and choose your privacy settings.

If you’re in a business environment, you can extend support for up to three years. However, the organization will pay more, including $61 for the first year, $122 for the second year, and $244 for the third year. These prices will apply regardless of which year you enroll the devices.

Are you upgrading to Windows 11 or paying the extra cost? Let me know in the comments.