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Your Windows 10 ESU Enrollment Option is Missing? Don't Panic—It's a Staggered Rollout

  • Writer: Craig Strang-Thompson
    Craig Strang-Thompson
  • Oct 9
  • 3 min read

As the official end-of-support date for Windows 10 (October 14, 2025) quickly approaches, many users are looking for the option to enroll in the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program to secure another year of critical patches.


You've checked the Windows Update settings, but the highly anticipated "Enroll now" button is nowhere to be found. If you are facing this situation, take a deep breath. Microsoft has a simple, yet perhaps frustrating, explanation: the ESU enrollment option is being rolled out in staggered waves.

Waiting for Microsoft's staggered ESU rollout.
Waiting for Microsoft's staggered ESU rollout.

🌊 It's Not Broken, It's in Waves


Microsoft has confirmed that for most users, the missing enrollment option is not due to a bug or an ineligibility issue with your PC. Instead, the company is using a phased, wave-based deployment to manage the rollout of the ESU enrollment wizard.


Why the Staggered Approach?


This "low and slow" method is standard practice for major feature rollouts from Microsoft:


  • Stability Monitoring: Deploying to small groups first allows Microsoft to monitor for any widespread bugs or unexpected issues and address them before a global release.

  • Server Load Management: Rolling out to millions of devices at once could overwhelm activation servers and cause technical difficulties for users.

  • Refinement: The staggered approach gives the company time to refine the enrollment process, as evidenced by recent updates that have addressed initial issues with the wizard.


The good news: Microsoft has stated that in spite of the Windows 10 ESU Staggered Rollout, all eligible Windows 10 PCs will eventually receive the enrollment option well before the October 14, 2025, deadline. Broad availability was expected by mid-August, but the rollout is clearly continuing into the fall.



✅ Windows 10 ESU Staggered Rollout - Are You Ready for ESU? The Prerequisites


Before you worry about the missing button, first confirm that your Windows 10 PC meets all the necessary requirements. If any of these are missing, the enrollment option will not appear.


  • Windows Version: You must be running Windows 10, Version 22H2 with the latest updates installed. This includes update KB5046613 or a later cumulative update.

  • User Account: You must have a Microsoft account profile configured as an administrator on the device. Even if you use a local account to sign in, the enrollment process will prompt you to link a Microsoft account, as the ESU license is tied to it.

  • Edition: The program is available for Windows 10 Home, Professional, Pro Education, and Workstation editions.


How to Check: Head to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. Ensure you click "Check for updates" and install everything available.


⏳ Patience is Key, But Here's What to Do While You Wait


While waiting for the wave to reach your PC is the primary (and safest) advice from Microsoft, you are not entirely powerless.


1. Check for All Updates


This is the simplest and most effective step. The feature is delivered via a regular Windows Update, so ensure your system is completely up-to-date.


  • Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.

  • Turn on the "Get the latest updates as soon as they're available" toggle.

  • Click "Check for updates" and install any available updates, including optional or preview updates, as these often contain the necessary enablement packages.


2. Manually Force the Option (Advanced Users Only)


For users who are comfortable making system changes, a manual method exists to potentially force the enrollment option to appear. Use this with caution and ensure you have a system backup. This process typically involves:


  1. Ensuring the Telemetry Service is Running: Open an elevated Command Prompt (Run as Administrator) and run:sc.exe config DiagTrack start= autosc.exe start DiagTrack

  2. Adding a Registry Key: Still in the elevated Command Prompt, run:reg.exe add "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Policies\Microsoft\FeatureManagement\Overrides" /v 4011992206 /t REG_DWORD /d 2 /f

  3. Restart your system.

  4. Run the Eligibility Tool: Open an elevated Command Prompt again and run:cmd /c ClipESUConsumer.exe -evaluateEligibility


After a final restart, check Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update to see if the "Enroll now" link is visible under the "Windows 10 support ends in October 2025" heading.


The most important takeaway is this: The missing ESU enrollment option is a widely reported behavior, and for most, it is simply a matter of waiting for Microsoft's staggered deployment to reach their device. Be patient, ensure your PC is up-to-date, and the option to extend your security updates will appear.


EASICOMM is an IT Consulting firm based on the Treasure Coast, Florida offering IT solutions locally, regionally and beyond. Schedule your appointment with us automatically at http://calendly.com/easicomm


Your Windows 10 ESU Enrollment Option is Missing? Don't Panic—It's a Staggered Rollout by EASICOMM

 
 
 
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