# Windows 10 Updates After End-Of-Life

Official support for consumer Windows 10 editions ended October 14th 2025. For many, the obvious solution is to upgrade to Windows 11. However, many cannot because their hardware is unsupported. Others simply prefer Windows 10 and wish to remain on it for as long as possible.

Here are several solutions; feel free to select the one that best suits your needs.

---

## Windows 10 ESU Updates ❤️

Microsoft announced [Extended Security Updates (ESU)](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/whats-new/extended-security-updates) where users can buy the ESU subscription to receive Windows updates. These updates will begin to roll out in November 2025. 

#### Commercial ESU Program (3 years) ❤️

- You can use the [TSforge option in MAS](intro.md) to activate the [3-Year ESU](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/whats-new/extended-security-updates) (Oct 2025 to Oct 2028).
- If you have any questions, please see the FAQ [here](tsforge.md#windows-esu).

#### Consumer ESU Program (1 Year)

- Microsoft is offering a free Consumer ESU Program (1 Year) for Windows 10 Home, Professional, Pro Education, and Workstation editions.
- To get this free ESU, you need to log in to your Microsoft account and [sync your PC settings](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/deebcba2-5bc0-4e63-279a-329926955708#id0ebd=windows_10).
- [More info](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-10-consumer-extended-security-updates-esu-program-33e17de9-36b3-43bb-874d-6c53d2e4bf42).

---

## Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021

Microsoft releases Windows 10/11 in two servicing channels:

1.  **GAC (General Availability Channel):** (e.g., Home, Pro, Enterprise). This reached the end of support on [October 14th, 2025](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/windows-10-home-and-pro).
2.  **LTSC (Long-Term Servicing Channel):** (e.g., Enterprise LTSC, IoT Enterprise LTSC). Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 will reach the end of support on [Jan 12, 2027](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/windows-10-enterprise-ltsc-2021), while Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021 will reach the end of support on [Jan 13, 2032](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/windows-10-iot-enterprise-ltsc-2021).

The solution is simple: use the official Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021 edition to continue receiving updates until January 13, 2032.

#### Clean Install Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021

<details>
<summary>Click here for info</summary>

The IoT edition ISO is only available in English, but don't worry.

- Download the [Enterprise LTSC 2021](windows_ltsc_links.md) ISO in your desired language. The ISO file does not need to be the IoT version.
- Install Windows using this [clean installation guide](clean_install_windows).
- After installing Windows, change the edition by entering the IoT LTSC 2021 key `QPM6N-7J2WJ-P88HH-P3YRH-YY74H` on the activation page in Windows Settings.
- You also need to activate this edition. Follow the [guide here](intro.md) for activation.

</details>

#### Upgrade Windows 10 Home, Pro, etc., to Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021 (Keep Files & Apps)

<details>
<summary>Click here for info</summary>

The IoT edition ISO is only available in English, but don't worry.

- Download the Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 ISO from [here](windows_ltsc_links.md) in the **same Windows language and architecture**. The ISO file does not need to be the IoT version.  
  - To check the installed Windows architecture, open PowerShell and enter:  
`Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_OperatingSystem | Format-List OSArchitecture`  
    AMD64/x64 indicates 64-bit; x86 indicates 32-bit.  
  - To check the installed Windows language, open PowerShell as administrator and enter:  
`dism /english /online /get-intl | find /i "Default system UI language"`
- Right-click the downloaded ISO file and select **Open with** > **Windows Explorer**
- A new DVD drive will appear in Windows Explorer, which means the installation image has been mounted successfully.
- Now open Command Prompt as administrator and enter:  
  `reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion" /v EditionID /d IoTEnterpriseS /f`
- Quickly open the newly mounted DVD drive, run `setup.exe`, and continue until you reach the final confirmation screen. (Do not delay at this step, or the option to keep files and apps may not appear.)
- Make sure it says "**Keep personal files and apps**" on the final screen. You can then continue the process and wait until it is finished.
- You also need to activate this edition. Follow the [**guide here**](intro.md) for activation.

:::note

These are generic keys intended for use during edition changes or when running `setup.exe`. For activation, follow the [**guide here**](intro.md).

If you applied the registry command and ran the setup promptly, it shouldn’t ask you to enter a key. However, if a key is needed, use the keys below:

- `M7XTQ-FN8P6-TTKYV-9D4CC-J462D` – **Enterprise LTSC 2021 key**  
  Use this during setup when performing the upgrade. The IoT LTSC 2021 key will **not** work here.
  
- `QPM6N-7J2WJ-P88HH-P3YRH-YY74H` – **IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021 key**  
  After the upgrade is complete, use this key on the Windows activation page in Settings to change the edition to IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021.

:::

</details>

#### Notes

<details>
<summary>Click here for info</summary>

- LTSC editions do not have Store apps installed by default. However, if you upgrade from GAC to LTSC, all your Store apps will be retained. In contrast, if you perform a clean installation of Windows LTSC, Store apps will not be installed. For instructions on how to install them manually, please refer to this [page](windows_ltsc_links.md#microsoft-store-app-installation-on-ltsc).
- The IoT Enterprise LTSC edition is [binary identical](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/iot/iot-enterprise/Overview) to the Enterprise LTSC edition. The only difference is in licensing. You can use it just fine on a general-purpose device.
- To learn about the advantages and disadvantages of LTSC, click [here](windows_ltsc_links.md#what-is-ltsc-and-is-it-the-right-choice-for-you).

</details>

---

## Windows 11 IoT Enterprise Editions

Applies to:  
- Windows 11 IoT Enterprise, beginning with version 24H2 (Build 26100 and newer)
- Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2024 (Build 26100)
---
Many users choose not to use Windows 11 due to hardware limitations, such as a lack of TPM, Secure Boot, or UEFI support. While it is possible to bypass these limitations, doing so is officially unsupported and may lead to issues with future updates.

However, a promising alternative is available.

In 2024, Microsoft released Windows 11 IoT Enterprise 24H2 (GAC) and IoT Enterprise LTSC 2024 (LTSC), which have [relaxed hardware requirements](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/iot/iot-enterprise/Hardware/System_Requirements?tabs=Windows11LTSC#optional-minimum-requirements).
You can officially install these Windows 11 editions without meeting the usual hardware requirements (such as TPM, Secure Boot, and UEFI) while still receiving continued support in the future. 

#### Clean install Windows 11 IoT Enterprise (GAC 25H2 / LTSC 2024)

<details>
<summary>Click here for info</summary>

The IoT edition ISO is only available in English, but don't worry. 

- Download any [Windows 11 25H2](windows_11_links.md) (for GAC) or [Enterprise LTSC 2024](windows_ltsc_links.md) (for LTSC) ISO in your desired language. The ISO file does not need to be the IoT version.
- Follow the [normal clean installation guide](clean_install_windows) if you are using the English IoT edition ISO.
- Follow the [PID.txt method](clean_install_windows#windows-11-on-unsupported-hardware) to install the IoT edition from scratch if you are using a non-IoT ISO.
- You also need to activate this edition. Follow the [guide here](intro.md) for activation.

Alternatively, you can install any Windows 11 25H2 (for GAC) or Enterprise LTSC 2024 (for LTSC) ISO file using [Rufus](clean_install_windows). Once the installation is complete, you can use the change edition option in MAS to switch to IoT Enterprise and enjoy official support on unsupported hardware.

</details>

#### Upgrade Windows 10 Home, Pro, etc., to Windows 11 IoT Enterprise (GAC 25H2 / LTSC 2024) While Keeping Files and Apps

<details>
<summary>Click here for info</summary>

:::note

- **If you are using Windows 11 24H2/25H2** and trying to upgrade to Windows 11 IoT LTSC 2024 using the guide below, it **will not work**.  
- In this case, you need the latest monthly updated Windows 11 LTSC 2024 ISO. Since Microsoft does not provide updated ISO files for LTSC, you must [manually update the ISO file](update-windows-iso) before following the guide below.

:::

The IoT edition ISO is only available in English, but don't worry. 

- Download any [Windows 11 25H2](windows_11_links.md) (for GAC) or [Enterprise LTSC 2024](windows_ltsc_links.md) (for LTSC) ISO in the **same Windows language and architecture**. The ISO file does not need to be the IoT version.
  - To check the installed Windows architecture, open PowerShell as administrator and enter:  
`Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_OperatingSystem | Format-List OSArchitecture`  
    AMD64/x64 indicates 64-bit; x86 indicates 32-bit.  
  - To check the installed Windows language, open PowerShell as administrator and enter:  
`dism /english /online /get-intl | find /i "Default system UI language"`
- Right-click the downloaded ISO file and select **Open with** > **Windows Explorer**
- A new DVD drive will appear in Windows Explorer, which means the installation image has been mounted successfully.
- Now open Command Prompt as administrator and enter:  
  **for GAC:**  
`reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion" /v EditionID /d IoTEnterprise /f`  
  **for LTSC:**  
`reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion" /v EditionID /d IoTEnterpriseS /f`
- Quickly open the newly mounted DVD drive, run `setup.exe`, and continue until you reach the final confirmation screen. (Do not delay at this step, or the option to keep files and apps may not appear)
- Make sure it says "**Keep personal files and apps**" on the final screen. You can then continue the process and wait until it is finished.
- You also need to activate this edition. Follow the [**guide here**](intro.md) for activation.

:::note

These are generic keys intended for use during edition changes or when running `setup.exe`. For activation, follow the [**guide here**](intro.md).

If you applied the registry command and ran the setup promptly, it shouldn’t ask you to enter a key. However, if a key is needed, use the keys below:

- `XQQYW-NFFMW-XJPBH-K8732-CKFFD` – **Windows 11 IoT Enterprise (GAC) key**  
   If you try to use this key on the Windows activation page in Settings to change the edition, it might not work. In that case, run the following command in Command Prompt as administrator to change the edition:  
  `slmgr.vbs /ipk XQQYW-NFFMW-XJPBH-K8732-CKFFD`

- `KBN8V-HFGQ4-MGXVD-347P6-PDQGT` – **Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2024 key**  

:::

</details>

#### Notes

<details>
<summary>Click here for info</summary>

- Many tools allow you to install Windows 11 on unsupported hardware, and regular monthly updates will work fine. However, yearly feature updates will fail to install if the hardware requirements are not met.
- This is why the IoT (25H2/2024) editions are recommended; they allow you to get official support for future feature upgrades.
- LTSC editions do not have Store apps installed by default. However, if you upgrade from GAC to LTSC, all your Store apps will be retained. In contrast, if you perform a clean installation of Windows LTSC, Store apps will not be installed. For instructions on how to install them manually, please refer to this [page](windows_ltsc_links.md#microsoft-store-app-installation-on-ltsc).
- Windows 11 25H2 / 2024 requires CPUs that support SSE4.2 and POPCNT instructions.
- The IoT Enterprise LTSC edition is [binary identical](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/iot/iot-enterprise/Overview) to Enterprise LTSC edition. The only difference is in licensing. You can use it just fine on a general-purpose device.

---

- To learn about the advantages and disadvantages of LTSC, click [here](windows_ltsc_links.md#what-is-ltsc-and-is-it-the-right-choice-for-you).
- You can install the [officially supported](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/iot/iot-enterprise/Hardware/System_Requirements?tabs=Windows11LTSC#optional-minimum-requirements) Windows 11 25H2 IoT editions on a system without a TPM. However, some games may not allow you to play if your system lacks a TPM on Windows 11. In that case, you will need to stick with Windows 10.

</details>

---

:::tip

-   If you need any help with this process, you can [connect with us](troubleshoot.md).

:::
