How to Avoid $30 Update Fees After Windows 10 Retirement in 2025

• Microsoft has announced that it will provide extended support for Windows 10 users post-2025, albeit at a cost of $30.
• This service is limited to security patches, lacking new features, fixes, or technical assistance.
• The most effective strategy to circumvent this fee is to upgrade to Windows 11 at your earliest convenience.
• This upgrade path is available even if your hardware doesn’t meet the specified minimum requirements.

The end of support for Windows 10 is scheduled for October 14, 2025. For the first time, Microsoft will offer regular consumers access to an Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for a fee of $30 to continue receiving essential updates. However, one can avoid this expense by upgrading to Windows 11, for which Microsoft currently allows activation using an existing Windows 10 product key.

Why you should upgrade to Windows 11 instead of opting for ESU

Transitioning to Windows 11 is the most straightforward method to avoid the ESU fee while ensuring ongoing security updates. By utilizing your Windows 10 product key, you can smoothly activate a complimentary upgrade or perform a clean installation of Windows 11, thereby securing both security and feature updates at no extra cost.

Even if your device does not satisfy the official hardware prerequisites for Windows 11, it’s still feasible to install the operating system by circumventing these limitations. Note that doing this places the machine in an “unsupported”status, meaning that Microsoft won’t provide any compatibility or support guarantees. While issues with unsupported devices are rare, they can occur.

Should you consider the $30 fee?

If you’re contemplating the $30 fee for the ESU, it’s important to note that this will only provide one year of updates focused exclusively on security. Unlike typical support, this program does not encompass new features, bug fixes, or technical assistance, rendering it a constrained, short-term solution. Microsoft will begin the enrollment process for the ESU as the Windows 10 end-of-support date looms closer.

Which upgrade option is best for you?

There are various approaches to upgrade your system to Windows 11 based on your specific needs:

• In-place Upgrade: This method maintains your files, applications, and most settings, facilitating an easier transition.
• Clean Installation: This process initiates a fresh installation of Windows 11, erasing all previous data. It is recommended for optimal performance and fewer complications, but remember to back up your files before proceeding.

This guide will detail the simplest strategies for upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11, enabling you to avoid additional costs and experience the latest Windows features.

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

Upgrade Windows 10 to Windows 11 for free on supported hardware

Windows 10 users have several options to upgrade to Windows 11, with Windows Update and clean installation being the most straightforward methods.

Upgrade supported hardware via Windows Update

To upgrade your Windows 10 system to Windows 11 through Windows Update, follow these steps:

1. Open Settings in Windows 10.

2. Select Update & Security.

3. Click on Windows Update.

4. Press the “Check for updates” button.

   

5. Click the “Download and install” button.

   

6. Press the Restart now button.

Once these steps are completed, Windows 11 will successfully install on your computer.

Alternatively, you can also conduct an in-place upgrade utilizing the Installation Assistant and an ISO file.

Upgrade supported hardware via clean install

To perform a clean installation of Windows 11 on a Windows 10 machine, follow these steps:

1. Boot your PC using the Windows 11 USB flash drive.

2. Press any key to continue.

3. Select your preferred installation language and format.

   

4. Click the Next button.

5. Select your keyboard and input method.

   

6. Click the Next button.

7. Choose the “Install Windows 11” option.

   

8. Check the “I agree to everything” box to confirm the process will erase all data on the device.

9. Select the “I don’t have a product key” option.

   

   Quick note: The PC will automatically activate using the previous Windows 10 product key.

10. Choose the version of “Windows 11” that your license key activates (if applicable).

    

11. Click the Next button.

12. Click the Accept button.

13. Select each partition on your hard drive where you want to install Windows 11 and click the Delete button. (Typically, “Drive 0” contains all the installation files.)

    

14. Select the hard drive (Drive 0 Unallocated Space) to install the operating system.

    

15. Click the Next button.

16. Click the Install button.

    

After completing these steps, you’ll need to proceed with the out-of-the-box experience (OOBE) to set up your account and configure your privacy options.

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

Upgrade Windows 10 to Windows 11 for free on unsupported hardware

If your Windows 10 device doesn’t fulfill the minimum hardware criteria, upgrading to Windows 11 is still an option. You can either perform an in-place upgrade or a clean installation; however, additional steps will be needed.

From my perspective, executing a clean installation instead of an in-place upgrade is advisable for unsupported hardware as it reduces the likelihood of experiencing problems during and after the upgrade process.

Upgrade unsupported hardware via ISO file

The procedure for installing the latest Windows 11 version on unsupported hardware entails downloading and mounting the official ISO file and executing a specific command to launch the setup while bypassing the system requirements.

1. Download the Windows 11 ISO file

To obtain the ISO file for installing the feature update on unsupported hardware, take these steps:

1. Visit the Microsoft Support website.

2. Select the Windows 11 option from the “Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) for x64 devices” section.

   

3. Click the Download button.

4. Choose your installation language.

   

5. Click the Confirm button.

6. Click the Download button to save the ISO file to your computer.

   

Once you complete these steps, you can mount the Windows 11 ISO file to initiate the installation process.

2. Upgrade process for unsupported PCs

To upgrade a device that does not meet Windows 11’s requirements, follow these steps:

1. Open File Explorer (Windows key + E).

2. Navigate to the location of the Windows 11 ISO file.

3. Right-click on the ISO file, select the Open with submenu, and choose the Windows Explorer option.

4. Confirm the drive letter assigned for the installation files.

5. Open the Start menu.

6. Search for Command Prompt, right-click on the applicable result, and choose Run as administrator.

7. Input the following command to access the location with the installation files, adjusting the letter as necessary:

   J:

   Substitute “J” with the appropriate drive letter.

8. (Optional) Click on “Change how Windows Setup downloads updates” .

   

9. Select the “Not right now” option.

   

10. Click the Next button.

11. Check the “Keep files, settings, and apps” option.

12. Click the Install button to proceed with the upgrade while maintaining your files and apps.

    

After finishing these steps, Windows 10 will be upgraded to Windows 11. As this is an upgrade process, you won’t need to set up the Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE), and your files and applications will be retained.

Upgrade unsupported hardware via clean install

If you wish to upgrade your system to Windows 11 through a clean installation, you’ll first need to download the official ISO file and use a tool like Rufus to create a USB bootable media. Following this setup, start your computer from the USB flash drive and proceed with the installation process.

1. Download Windows 11 ISO file

To obtain the official Windows 11 ISO file, follow these steps:

1. Visit the Microsoft Support website.

2. Choose the Windows 11 option in the “Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) for x64 devices” section.

   

3. Click the Download button.

4. Choose your preferred installation language.

   

5. Click the Confirm button.

6. Select the Download button to secure the Windows 11 ISO file on your system.

   

Once you have completed these steps, utilize the Windows 11 ISO file to create installation media.

2. Create Windows 11 bootable media

To fabricate a Windows 11 USB bootable media, connect a USB flash drive with at least 8GB capacity and follow these directions:

1. Visit the Rufus website.

2. Download the latest version found under the “Download” section.

3. Select the USB flash drive from the “Device” settings.

4. Double-click the executable to open the tool.

5. Click the Select button.

   

6. Locate and select the Windows 11 ISO file.

7. Press the Open button.

8. Continue with the default configuration after completing the download.

9. (Optional) Identify a name for the drive in the “Volume label” setting.

10. Click the Start button.

11. Enable the “Remove requirement for 4GB+ RAM, Secure Boot and TPM 2.0” option to facilitate installation on unsupported hardware.

    

12. Check the “Remove requirement for an online Microsoft account” option to bypass online and Microsoft account prerequisites and create a local account instead.

13. (Optional) Check the “Create a local account with username” option and enter a username to automatically create a local account.

14. Check the “Disable BitLocker automatic device encryption” option to prevent BitLocker from being activated during installation.

15. Click the OK button.

Upon completing these steps, Rufus will establish the installation media tailored for unsupported hardware.

If you opted to create a local account automatically, the installation will set up the account without a password. It’s vital to establish a password and PIN post-upgrade via the “Sign-in options” settings.

3. Windows 11 clean installation process for unsupported PCs

To execute a clean installation of Windows 11 on unsupported hardware, use these steps:

1. Start the PC using the Windows 11 USB flash drive.

2. Press any key to continue.

3. Choose your preferred installation language and configuration.

   

4. Click the Next button.

5. Select your keyboard and input method.

   

6. Click the Next button.

7. Choose the “Install Windows 11” option.

   

8. Check the “I agree to everything” option to affirm that this process will erase all content on the device.

9. Select the “I don’t have a product key” option.

   

   Quick note: The computer will activate automatically as it was previously activated with a Windows 10 product key.

10. Select the edition of “Windows 11” associated with your license key (if relevant).

    

11. Click the Next button.

12. Click the Accept button.

13. Select each partition on the hard drive where you want to install Windows 11 and click the Delete button (usually, “Drive 0” contains all the installation files).

    

14. Choose the hard drive (Drive 0 Unallocated Space) for the new operating system installation.

    

15. Click the Next button.

16. Click the Install button.

    

17. On the first screen of the Out-of-the-Box Experience (OOBE), select your region setting.

After completing these steps, you’ll proceed with the out-of-the-box experience to create your account and establish your privacy settings.

For business environments, support can be extended for up to three years. However, this will come at a higher cost, including $61 for the first year, $122 for the second year, and $244 for the third year. Prices will remain constant regardless of when the devices are enrolled.

Will you be upgrading to Windows 11 or opting to pay the extra fee? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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