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Can't sign up for Windows 10 security updates? Here's the fix

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ZDNET's key takeaways

Microsoft's ESU program provides security updates for Windows 10.

You normally just head to Windows Update to register for the program.

If the option doesn't appear, there are ways to trigger it.

Choosing to stick with Windows 10 despite this week's support cutoff from Microsoft? OK, but you still want to make sure that your PC is protected against vulnerabilities and other security threats. And for that, Microsoft offers an Extended Security Update program that guarantees critical and important security patches for the next year.

You can qualify for the ESU program in a few different ways. If you don't mind spending some money, the program costs a flat fee of $30. Alternatively, you're able to redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points, assuming you've compiled at least that many. To earn rewards points, you typically have to run different searches using Microsoft Bing.

Also: Microsoft said my PC can't run Windows 11, but I upgraded in 5 minutes anyway - here's how

But why shell out money or rewards points when you can snag the ESU for free? For that, you simply have to turn to the built-in Windows Backup tool to back up and sync your settings to the cloud.

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