How to fix ESU error "We can’t enroll you in Extended Security Updates right now" when trying to enroll?

Eri 60

I'm trying to enroll to ESU (Extended Security Updates) as the updates are ending and I cant yet update to Windows 11 because its not available even though my PC meets the requirements. The process is very straight-forward, I click "enroll now" on the windows updates page and go through the process until the last page where I get told I'm eligible (first image attached), I click "Enroll" and after I do I get redirected to a page with the title "Something went wrong" and alongside that "We can’t enroll you in Extended Security Updates right now" (second image attached). This happens regardless of when or how many times I try. I've tried going through live support, but after a 30 minute wait, all I got told was to post on the forums. So here I am, with windows 10 updates ending and not being able to update to windows 11, it feels a bit more urgent. Any help appreciated. Capture2

Capture1

Raymond Caswell 155 Reputation points

2025-10-13T17:35:48.19+00:00

Eri, try what I did at the bottom of this thread. Maybe it will help you also.
Donna Hibbert 0 Reputation points

2025-10-14T01:52:41.9033333+00:00

I get the same screen "something went wrong" We can't enroll you in Extended Security Updates right now.

The link to enroll comes and goes. Registry editor in search, then change the value of ESU Eligibility to 2 and the value of ESU EligibilityResult to 1. Only after doing that and restarting the computer do I even get the link in Windows Update. It defaults to different values so I have to change it over and over just to get the message that I cannot enroll now. I've tried all the suggestions, "find my device" turned on, credential manager and Microsoft account sign-in manager switched to automatic. My microsoft account is admin and all updates are current. This is so frustrating and the clock is ticking. I also disabled Webroot hoping that would help. But every single time I get "something went wrong".
Vlan6134-7019 0 Reputation points

2025-10-15T15:28:36.9166667+00:00

I had the same problem as the OP (exactly the same screenshots) but I used a different solution to that of the other suggestions.

My FIREWALL was to blame. I have TinyWall firewall and I changed Mode from Normal to Allow Outgoing. Then I tried Enroling again and it worked! Very pleased as this has caused a lot of stress overall!

Hope this information helps others and thanks to all the comments on here!
Benjamin Cheong 10 Reputation points

2025-10-16T00:21:46.5533333+00:00

I use window firewall. I switch it off, still cannot enroll. I gave up. Should not be that hard. Sigh ...
Victor Alvarado 0 Reputation points

2025-10-16T16:14:55.69+00:00

I try everything specified here, and I'm still receiving the same error. I would have to stop using this computer altogether.
Anonymous

2025-10-17T10:56:57.4966667+00:00

I have tried the exact same suggestions as mentioned by @Donna Hibbert and also have the same problems. Also tried with firewall and virusscanner disabled. I have a laptop and a desktop. I meet the requirements to receive the free updates in Europe for both devices. My laptop is now signed up for the ESU, but somehow my desktop will still get the 'Something went wrong' message. I use the same Microsoft account on both PC's and don't see any difference in settings that could cause the problem. It's been 3 days now since supported ended and many people still face this problem..... Is there anyone that had contact with Microsoft that will give us some hope to fix this problem?
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Pati 0 Reputation points

2025-10-18T23:02:24.1+00:00

I did most of the things mentioned here but it worked to enroll the extended updates when I went to Task Manager and disabled in Startup: Tuneup and also Driver updater from an antivirus company. These otherwise useful software were listed "high" as for start-up impact.
Jenn H 10 Reputation points

2025-10-19T00:59:50.09+00:00

For my laptop, to be able to enroll in the Extended Security Updates, first I had to remove my "Work or School Account" from Settings -> Accounts -> Access Work or School. I clicked on the Work account that was there, clicked "Disconnect", and restarted the computer. After the restart, I was able to go to Settings -> Update and Security and enroll using the link that directed me to the Microsoft Website explainer on "End of Support for Windows 10". Scroll down the page to the "Extended Security Updates" link and follow the steps.

Phew. It took several hours of trying everything else and not getting anywhere, then finally the above worked. I guess Windows thinks my computer is ineligible if I have a Work or School Account associated with my machine.

Apparently disconnecting the Work/School account does not delete the account itself, it just removes the sign-in information. Therefore, it should be possible to add it back again. I will be able to find that out once the weekend is over and my work's IT department is open. Fingers crossed.
SpookyNooNoo 5 Reputation points

2025-10-19T15:52:36.1433333+00:00

Thank you, Jenn H!!! Been trying for days and eventually realised after reading your comment that I still had my old college account registered on my laptop. "PHEW!!" indeed!!
Donna Hibbert 0 Reputation points

2025-10-19T18:17:39.7+00:00

Hooray!!! This worked after trying every other possible fix that was suggested. I retired from my job over a year ago and no longer have access to that account but it was still listed under Settings>Accounts>Access Work or School. I had to try twice to "disconnect" before it disappeared from the list. Then I restarted the computer, find the enroll link in the explainer for "End of Support for Windows 10". Finally instead of saying "Something went wrong" it said "you are now enrolled with no further questions or payment of $30. What a relief!!

14 answers

John DeV 152.6K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2025-10-09T19:44:36.1066667+00:00
Please try performing an In-place Upgrade. Performing this can repair broken operating system files while your personal files, settings and installed applications will not be removed.

Few things to check on the PC

Unplug all external peripherals except for the Mouse, Keyboard, and LAN cable before starting

Disable or uninstall any third-party Antivirus program to prevent it from interfering with the upgrade

Download the media creation tool(Click Download tool now) and save it to your computer.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

Open the tool and select Upgrade this PC now.

Make sure to select Keep personal files and apps.

It might take some time to install Windows 10. Your computer will restart a few times, make sure you don’t turn off your PC.
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Benjamin Cheong 10 Reputation points

2025-10-14T02:49:24.1366667+00:00

This made it even worse. After spending hours reupdating, the ESU registry is gone.

I cannot even get through this step.

C:\WINDOWS\system32>reg.exe query "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows\ConsumerESU"

ERROR: The system was unable to find the specified registry key or value.

We are just mortals and do not want to waste a perfectly good computer. What wrong is that? igh ......

MadWolf 0 Reputation points

2025-10-14T18:49:34.0433333+00:00

I've been struggling with this for some days now, and tried all kinds of things as mentioned above (logged in with Microsoft account as admin, tried different networks etc). I think the problem for me was that I was using a Windows 10 Education edition. I upgraded to Windows 10 Pro, checked again for the latest updates, and followed the instructions in this Youtube video to make the extended security update ESU option appear in Windows Update.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vum5XOJAJZM

In short, go to Registry Editor as Admin and find this location

Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows\ConsumerESU

Change the ESUEligibility value to 2.

Change the ESUEligibilityResult value to 1.

Close the settings app, and reopen it, and go to Windows Update again. Now the ESU option should have appeared again (this disappears every time you reboot the PC, so you have to go into the registry every time after rebooting). I then clicked the prompts and managed to get all the way to joining the ESU program.

So in my case the problem was that I was on Windows 10 Education, and upgrading to Windows 10 Pro solved the issue!

Hope it works for you!
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Acproy 0 Reputation points

2025-10-14T18:37:29.7866667+00:00

I had this precise issue while managing an old standalone business PC (Dell OptiPlex 3050). Unfortunately, I had to convert the local account to a Microsoft Account beforehand. If you are getting the error messages Eri has mentioned, you must log in, on your device, as a Microsoft Account. It will go through the process of changing your local password to a new PIN login. After the account is no longer local, click on enrollment.

You will get the first screenshot but with a Add Device button, if your Microsoft Account is already enrolled in ESU. You will not get the login screen at all.

Hope this helps.
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Vlan6134-7019 0 Reputation points

2025-10-15T15:30:27.6966667+00:00

I had the same problem as the OP (exactly the same screenshots) but I used a different solution to that of the other suggestions.

My FIREWALL was to blame. I have TinyWall firewall and I changed Mode from Normal to Allow Outgoing. Then I tried Enroling again and it worked! Very pleased as this has caused a lot of stress overall!

Hope this information helps others and thanks to all the comments on here!
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MadWolf 0 Reputation points

2025-10-15T16:49:03.01+00:00

In case of two different computers that I now managed to fix this on, the problem was that I had installed Windows 10 Enterprise or Windows 10 Education versions. I upgraded both to Windows 10 Pro, and that fixed the problem. Hopefully that works for you. If the ESU option doesn't show up, go to Registry Editor as Admin and find this location

Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows\ConsumerESU

Change the ESUEligibility value to 2.

Change the ESUEligibilityResult value to 1.

Close the settings app, and reopen it, and go to Windows Update again. Now the ESU option should have appeared again (this disappears every time you reboot the PC, so you have to go into the registry every time after rebooting). I then clicked the prompts and managed to get all the way to joining the ESU program.

So your problem is likely the Windows version you have, which for some reason cannot get enrolled in ESU.
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JJ 0 Reputation points

2025-10-15T20:21:42.9466667+00:00

I have been following this chat for two days now and tried everything that was suggested, as appropriate, but I still have the same issue "Something went wrong".

Any more suggestions to try???

MadWolf 0 Reputation points

2025-10-16T06:17:37.71+00:00

Sorry to hear, have you tried 'upgrading' your Windows version to Windows 10 Pro? That fixed it for me in two cases. This is from the Microsoft ESU website

To enroll in the consumer Windows 10 ESU program, make sure your device meets the following requirements:

Devices need to be running Windows 10, version 22H2 Home, Professional, Pro Education, or Workstations edition.

Devices need to have the latest Windows update installed. Learn how to install Windows updates.

The Microsoft account used to sign in to the device must be an administrator account.

The ESU license will be associated with the Microsoft account used to enroll. You may be prompted to sign in with a Microsoft account if you typically sign into Windows with a local account.

The Microsoft account can’t be a child account.

So actually, in my case I had initially overlooked the requirement for the right Windows 10 version. Also make sure your Microsoft account is linked to a person over 18. Otherwise, make a new Microsoft adult account and try again.

Nick C 0 Reputation points

2025-10-16T13:02:31.22+00:00

So one must essentially "downgrade" to Windows 10 Pro? How can MS not have this available/make this work for Win 10 Enterprise?

JJ 0 Reputation points

2025-10-16T16:34:45.2+00:00

Thanks for the info. I always had windows 10 Pro. The must frustrating thing is the pop up says "something went wrong" but Microsoft does not tell you what is.

I think I have exhausted all recommendations.

JJ 0 Reputation points

2025-10-16T17:34:12.24+00:00

One thing I found today is as follows::

I went to Settings on Start tab and then selected System. From there at the bottom of the menu, I selected About. On the right column I selected Rename this PC (advanced) and the following first page appears (see below). When I select Network ID I get the second page as shown below. When I change the setting from: "this computer is part of a business" **to: "**This is a home computer....." and then restart my PC as prompted, when I come back to this same page it was not changed and still comes up as show below. Could this be the issue??

I have no clue;, any thoughts on this???
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How to fix ESU error "We can’t enroll you in Extended Security Updates right now" when trying to enroll?

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