Microsoft Issues Emergency Windows 10 Update to Fix Critical Bug
▼ Summary
– Microsoft released an emergency update (KB5071959) to fix an issue preventing Windows 10 users from enrolling in the Extended Security Updates program.
– The update resolves a problem where the enrollment wizard would fail, allowing affected customers to receive essential security updates after successful enrollment.
– Windows 10 reached end of support on October 14 and no longer receives regular patches, making the ESU program necessary for continued security updates.
– The ESU program costs $30 per year for home users and $61 per device annually for enterprises, with prices increasing each year for up to three years.
– Some users can enroll for free using Microsoft Rewards, enabling Windows Backup, or if they are home users in the European Economic Area with a Microsoft account.
Microsoft has rolled out an urgent out-of-band update for Windows 10 to resolve a critical enrollment problem affecting the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program. This fix comes after numerous users encountered failures when attempting to sign up for continued security coverage, a vital option now that standard support for the operating system has officially ended.
According to Microsoft, the update specifically targets a malfunction in the enrollment wizard that was preventing successful registration. The company has designated this as a security update for devices not yet enrolled, as the underlying issue was blocking access to essential future patches. Once the KB5071959 cumulative update is installed, impacted customers can proceed with ESU enrollment through the wizard without further interruption.
After enrollment is finalized, devices will start receiving Extended Security Updates directly through Windows Update. For individuals using Windows 10 who have not yet enrolled, the process is straightforward. First, visit the Windows Update settings and select “Check for updates.” Install the available out-of-band update (KB5071959) and restart the computer. Next, run the Windows 10 Consumer ESU enrollment wizard to register the device. Finally, return to Windows Update, check for updates again, and install the latest monthly security patch, followed by another reboot to complete the procedure.
This emergency release was coordinated with the distribution of KB5068781, the inaugural extended security update, which also became available to enrolled devices on the same day. Windows 10 reached the end of its official support lifecycle nearly a month ago, on October 14, meaning it no longer receives routine patches for new vulnerabilities or bugs.
The ESU program offers a temporary reprieve, allowing customers to postpone upgrading to Windows 11 for up to three years. For home users, the annual cost is $30 per device, while enterprise clients pay $61 per device for the first year, with the price increasing by the same amount annually. Over the full three-year term, the total cost for an enterprise device reaches $183. Individual users have alternative pathways to enroll at no charge, such as redeeming Microsoft Rewards points or activating Windows Backup. Additionally, home users located within the European Economic Area can enroll for free simply by using the Microsoft account associated with their Windows login.
Separately, Microsoft acknowledged that last month’s cumulative updates triggered incorrect end-of-support notifications on some Windows 10 systems that remain under active support or possess valid security coverage. This confirmation followed numerous user reports stemming from the October 2025 Patch Tuesday updates.
(Source: Bleeping Computer)
