This is for anyone still using a Windows 10 PC at home, such as a retired bank officer in Pune who uses it for banking, email and family video calls, and wants it to stay safe without becoming a hobby. You will learn what the extended updates cover, a thirty-minute monthly routine, and how to plan the move away from Windows 10 calmly, with no panic and no purchase this month.
How do I keep a Windows 10 PC safe on extended updates?
Short answer: Confirm the PC is receiving updates, then do the same short routine every month. Install Windows and browser updates, run a Defender scan, check that your backup is recent, and treat unexpected calls and messages with suspicion. Extended security updates for personal Windows 10 PCs now run to 12 October 2027, so there is time to plan the next step.
What do extended updates cover?
Extended Security Updates, or ESU, are security fixes Microsoft keeps sending to Windows 10 after normal support ended. Microsoft added a year for personal devices, reported on 25 June 2026, so the end date is now 12 October 2027. It is not 13 October 2026, as older articles still say. Enrolled PCs are covered automatically. PCs managed by an office, school or organisation are not covered by this personal extension. Microsoft describes the programme on its extended security updates page.
ESU fixes Windows. It does not make your browser, PDF reader or WhatsApp desktop app safer, and it does not protect you from a persuasive caller. Those are your part of the routine.
Is my PC actually receiving updates?
- Open Settings, then Update and Security, then Windows Update.
- Press Check for updates and let it finish.
- Read the message on the page. If it mentions extended updates, that is a good sign. The wording can differ slightly between versions.
- If you are unsure, visit Microsoft's page above or ask a technician to look with you.
The thirty-minute monthly routine
Updates and apps
Install Windows updates and restart. Then update your web browser, PDF reader and any banking or office app. Remove programs you no longer use; each one is something that needs updating.
Antivirus
Windows Security, with Microsoft Defender (the antivirus built into Windows), is a sensible baseline for a home PC. Run a full scan monthly. Do not install a second antivirus on top of it.
Backups
Copy photos, family documents and tax papers to an external drive and a second place. Open a file from the copy to confirm it works. Our guide on testing a backup with a restore explains why.
Messages and calls
A bank or Microsoft will not ask for your OTP, PIN or a remote-access code over a call. Do not click links in messages about KYC, account blocks or prizes. If a pop-up says your PC is infected and gives a phone number, close the browser and ignore it. Never allow a stranger to connect to your PC remotely.
Power cuts, heat and broadband during updates
Power cuts and voltage dips during an update are a real practical risk. A PC switched off halfway can fail to start, so run updates when the power is steady, and use a UPS (a battery backup) for a desktop. Dust and heat in a Pune summer slow older PCs, so keep vents clear. Windows downloads can stall on weak broadband, so let big updates finish on a steady connection. If your PC needs repair, you can send it to us by courier from anywhere in India.
Planning for October 2027
You do not need to decide today. Over the coming months, check whether your PC can run Windows 11 and compare the cost of an upgrade with a replacement. Our Windows 10 versus 11 migration guide helps. If you move to Windows 11 version 24H2, note that Home and Pro editions stop getting updates on 13 October 2026, so ask for a newer version such as 25H2 or 26H2, which began rolling out on 29 September 2026.
When to get help
- Windows Update fails with the same error for several days.
- The PC is very slow, shows pop-ups on its own, or your browser home page has changed.
- Your bank, email or social accounts show logins you did not make.
- The PC restarts by itself or a drive makes clicking sounds.
Please stop using the PC for banking until a technician has looked at it. In Hyderabad we offer a doorstep service for a visit fee of ₹149 doorstep visit fee, waived when you approve laptop repair with us. If you would like someone to look after updates and cleaning through the year, our annual care plan is an option.
A note from the LRW Engineer Team
Pick one date each month, say the first Sunday, and do the routine then. Habit beats worry. A backed-up, updated PC and a firm rule about never sharing OTPs go a long way. When you are ready to move to a newer Windows, do it at your own pace, with your files already copied.