Overview

• Microsoft confirms Extended Security Updates are free for private users in the EEA through 13 October 2026, with device registration tied to a Microsoft account.
• ESU delivery pauses if the linked account is inactive for up to 60 days, and updates resume after re‑registration.
• Microsoft says Windows 11’s Media Creation Tool version 26100.6584 often closes on Windows 10 without error; users should upgrade via ISO images, the Installation Assistant, or tools like Rufus.
• Many PCs cannot meet Windows 11’s requirements, leaving a large Windows 10 base—over 40% worldwide and roughly 30 million in Germany—reliant on ESU or alternative paths.
• Microsoft also ends support today for Office 2016 and 2019, with no extended updates, and businesses may still purchase up to three years of paid ESU for Windows 10.