I installed the ESU KEY FOR 1 YEAR OF WINDOWS 10

Question

I PURCHASED AND INSTALLED THE MAK LICENSE FOR 1 year of EXTENDED SUPPORT for security updates, BUT AFTER INSTALLATION IT'S SHOWING THAT I REACHED THE END OF SUPPORT. CAN ANYONE GUIDE ME HOW TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE? Thanks in Advance!

Answer 1

Hello,

The key is that installing the ESU MAK key alone is often not enough. You must also install the ESU Licensing Preparation Package and the latest Monthly Cumulative Security Update to enable the update channel and clear this message.

Here are some steps for your reference:

Step 1: Install the ESU Licensing Preparation Package

This is a mandatory, one-time update that allows your Windows 10 device to accept ESU keys and updates.

• Download and install the specific KB5025332 (ESU Licensing Preparation Package) from the Microsoft Update Catalog. Search for KB5025332 and select the version matching your system architecture (x64 or x86).
• After installation, restart your device.

Step 2: Re-Activate with Your ESU MAK Key

After the restart, you must re-apply your MAK key to link it with the newly installed licensing component.

• Open an Administrator Command Prompt.
• Run the following command, replacing YOUR-MAK-KEY-HERE with your actual key:

  
      slmgr /ipk YOUR-MAK-KEY-HERE
  
  

• Then, run slmgr /ato to force immediate activation.

Step 3: Install the Latest Cumulative Update

The ESU updates are delivered through the standard Monthly Cumulative Update. You must now check for updates.

• Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
• Click Check for updates. The system should now offer the latest security update for your ESU-covered system.
• Install all available updates and restart.

The following flowchart illustrates the required sequence to transition your device from an "End of Support" state to an "ESU Active" state:

• Start: "End of Support" Message.
• Step 1: Install KB5025332 (ESU Licensing Prep) from Microsoft Update Catalog -> Restart.
• Step 2: Re-install ESU MAK Key via slmgr /ipk -> Activate with slmgr /ato.
• Step 3: Check for & install the latest Monthly Cumulative Update -> Restart.
• Result: System is updated, message should clear, and future security updates will be offered.

The "end of support" message is a UI bug that should disappear once the correct update chain (Step 1 -> Step 3) is completed. Your ESU license is valid; the system just needs to be properly prepared to recognize it.

If the "Check for updates" screen still shows the warning after completing all steps, the update itself should succeed and the message will clear in a subsequent update cycle.

If this guided procedure resolves your issue, please mark this response as "Accept Answer" 🙂

VP

Answer 2

Here is the Fix that was shared in the following thread:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5591996/problem-with-windows-10-esu?comment=answer-12300162&page=1#comment-2311660

Microsoft's Solution:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/release-health/status-windows-10-22h2#3706msgdesc

Summary:
Downloaded the gpo msi-file and install it and disabled the gpo. Now the device it not "out of support" anymore and you can run Windows update again. Let´s see what the future update, mentioned below, will do.

This section in the article:

Group Policy downloads with Group Policy name:  

• ​Download for Windows 10, version 21H2 and 22H2 — KB5066791 251020_20401 Known Issue Rollback

Important: You will need to install and configure the Group Policy, setting the KB5066791 251020_20401 Known Issue Rollback value to Disabled, to resolve this issue. You will also need to restart your device(s) to apply the group policy setting.

Next Steps: We are working to include the resolution in a future Windows update. Once the update with the resolution is released, organizations will not need to install and configure this Group Policy to address this issue.