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Want to give Win10 laptop to brother but need for ESUs to be installed. The ability to enroll remains grayed out. Ongoing warnings that the device is 'missing important security and quality fixes.'
Microsoft account
Administrator
22H2
Build 19045.6466
Have read through countless online posts (including on here), viewed numerous videos, all to no avail. Saw that KB5063709 needed to be installed. Located it on the MS site, downloaded. But didn't show in Update History. (Restarted laptop number of times.) Tried double-clicking and that prompted a window which made it appear it was installing but quickly replaced by 'Windows Update Standalone Installer: This update is not applicable to your computer.' Also ran across info that KB50666791 and KB5072653 were needed. Those were already installed. There are no update failures in History. Ran the Windows Update Troubleshooter which detected one issue. Repaired. Lots of 'Issue not present.' Subsequent run of Troubleshooter: 'Troubleshooting can't identify the problem.'
Ran across recommendations to change settings of 'Microsoft Account Sign In' and 'Credential Manager' but the instructions are not consistent.
Have run various scans (scannow, chkdsk, etc) as Admin. Everything comes back fine.
I know there are other steps I've taken but these are in my current notes. Feeling clueless as to what to attempt next. At this point, lots of hit/miss which isn't moving this issue forward. Is there one checklist that has actually proven beneficial? (Google's suggestions change every time I inquire what to do.)
And help appreciated. This shouldn't be THIS difficult.
I hope you receive this. The link to your answer keeps giving 404 error so have to dig through previous replies which are not in any order. Comments are in different 'threads.' BTW, I tried to re-install KB5063709, which I had aborted, but got the 'update not applicable to your computer' error in the standalone installer.
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Can you check and confirm if KB5066791 appears in your Update history as successfully installed?
You can try Sumit's workaround in his tutorial at the link below to trigger the Enroll Now button.
https://www.yourwindowsguide.com/2025/09/cant-enroll-in-windows-10-esu.html
Standard Disclaimer: This is a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.
Yes, 6791 is installed (earlier today and previously). Rather than dupes, it's as if updates I successfully installed in the last couple weeks are being appearing again and replace the previous, successful installation. No sooner does it come back with no new updates, when I check, the next time I check there's another one (same number as when I installed it previously). Right now KB 5071909 is slowly downloading. It's already in my Update History.
A few hours needed, earlier, for lots of time for laptop to update, restart, updating system, etc
Now 22H2 new build 19045-3803
The section in Windows Update which mentions ESU has returned but option to sign up still grayed out. Is the priority to do the 'fix' at link you just posted OR should I try to install KB5063709 (which supposedly is needed for ESU) but let it run for many hours (which I found mention of online)? Either better than the other? Have to hold off on either as current update is doing its thing.
Seems like might be making small amount of progress.
Your recommendation?
I was able to enroll! Didn't do the 'fix' at the link or download KB5063709. When doing the latest update something about the Updates page seemed slightly different. The 'enroll' option had gone from grayed out and not clickable to an active link! No clue what exactly caused that to happen (and when). All set....for now. Need to set up account for brother, etc but I'm encouraged. Now to DL all the updates that are missing. Hopefully that goes smoothly. Appreciate your help.
Great! Glad to hear the issue has been resolved.
You're most welcome and have a great day.
I'm back. Thought I'd see a number of Updates needing to be installed by now. A few have trickled in. However, Win Updates says 'Updates Available' or 'You're not up to date.' Sometimes the 'Check for updates' is shown, sometimes not. Have done Restarts. Update Troubleshooter will usually bring back the 'Check for updates' option. Do I need to wait the 24 hours (mentioned online for when ESU will propagate) before expecting updates to appear or is something amiss?
Thanks.
Hi,
Can you take a screenshot of your Update history and post it in your next reply? I just want to see the list of updates that were recently installed after enrolling in the ESU program. Thanks.
I tried replying to your latest request for images of latest installed updates. Your email links don't work due to 404 error so have to dig for your post. Couldn't find it so my 'answer' ended up being an 'answer' to myself rather than 'comment' to you. Are you able to find what I posted?
Please try performing an In-place Upgrade. It will definitely help in resolving update errors. 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
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
Will try this later today or tomorrow and report back. Thanks for your help.
Starting to attempt the Upgrade. For the 'Create Windows 10 installation media' it states:
'To get started, you will first need to have a license to install Windows 10.' I have the Product Key. Win10 was already installed, I don't have the separate license info. (Laptop sold on Amazon as 'used' but that could just have meant returned, not used or slightly used. The device appeared new when received but that was six years ago.) Been reading through more online info about difference between license and PK, may not need license as will activate when updating??? (I don't understand any of this.) Am I good to go with just the PK? Thanks.
Can you take screenshot of the window that prompt you 'To get started, you will first need to have a license to install Windows 10.'? Please post it in your next reply.
Thank you for updating me with the attached image. Please ignore the message and then click Download Now. Please continue with the steps to perform an In-place upgrade in one of my previous responses and let me know how it goes.
Took 5.5 hrs for Win10 to update. Windows Update indicated up-to-date (no option to sign up for ESU). Checked for updates, several shown. All but one installed with restart. The one remaining is actually duplicate of one which is already installed (KB5066791). With each restart it starts over, spending an hour 'downloading.' I see online there are issues with existing updates trying to re-install with various 'fixes.' Your recommendation?
Had previously downloaded KB5063709 from MS but couldn't open the installer. Standalone installer finally opened but the process hangs at about 25% after well over an hour. Attempted to cancel but that also appeared stuck so had to stop using Task Manager. Now it's listed in Update History as Failed 0x800706be. My understanding this update is needed for signing up for Security Updates. (Have seen others report issue with installing this update.) So nine, frustrating hours with little, if any, headway and just more issues. And now brother is saying he's looking forward to receiving laptop which adds more pressure. Countless hours spent just trying to sign up for a handful of months of Security updates!!!!! What next????
Another update is attempting to duplicate, KB5066747. Successfully installed yesterday (Feb 25) but listed as needing Restart to install (Win notification). And KB5066791, mentioned above, is downloading yet again. (Have lost track of how many times this is.) These updates, running in the background, slow sys down.
Hi, good day!
Are you using Windows Home or Pro edition?
Please let me know if you have tried the methods below.
Press Start then search Services
Find Microsoft Account Sign-in Assistant in the list then double click it
Select Automatic (Delayed Start) on the Startup Type and click on Start
Click Apply and OK.
Do the same with Credential Manager service
I look forward to receiving your update and I'm willing to collaborate with you till we resolve the issue. Do keep me informed by clicking "Add comment" below.
Appreciate your prompt reply.
Windows 10 Home.
There are no third-party AVs installed.
'Accounts > Access work or school,' nothing listed.
'Find my device' is ON. Not understanding how locating a 'lost' device applies here so didn't perform this step.
'MS Acct Sign-In Asst' has been updated to Auto (Delayed start)
There is no ability to perform the above step this with 'Cred Mgr.' 'Start' is grayed out no matter which option is selected. Only 'Stop.' It's set at 'Manual.'
Also, I got the CBS.log. Last entry says 'Repair complete.'
I've done several Restarts. Each one seems to take longer.
What should I do next? Thanks.
Since you said you were going to give that Windows 10 laptop to your brother, have you done the Reset this PC with Remove everything option to start it fresh and so he can set it up personally with his Microsoft account?
Brother is 68, new to computers. He's interested in learning how to use laptop but knows NOTHING about setting up device. He has a few bills which now require online payment. Plus he want to watch YouTube. My plan was to add an account for him (with Admin to facilitate installing printer), keep some of my song and video files, Firefox tabs. Much as one would presumably do when setting up for young person. He doesn't have MS acct. All he'd have to do is log in and follow my instructions (I've written tons!) I'm computer user since 90s and would be acting as his 'Help Desk' (felt like I knew quite a bit until this) but need to get him the protection of Security Updates. He may hate this, never use it, or want to continue with new device once ESUs end.
I've looked into resetting PC (located the license keys) but wiping seems bit drastic. I can re-install basic files, though. Have already spent tons of hours on this.
Thank you for updating me with that information.
Can you take a screenshot of the whole Update & Security settings window and post it in your next response?
Note: Don't include any personal information or sensitive data as Microsoft Q&A is a public forum.
Can you take a screenshot of the whole Update & Security settings window and post it in your next response?
Not understanding your request. If I click on 'Update & Security' in Settings it opens to the first category: Windows Update. (Other categories, in left frame.) What do you mean by 'whole'?
Thanks. BTW, the 'See the answer' button in your replies prompts a 404 Error so I'm accessing through the link in an earlier reply.
I'm sorry, it should be Update & Security > Windows Update settings window.
Can't find way to make window very small so captured in two images. This what you're looking for?
It seems you are experiencing issues with enrolling your Windows 10 laptop in the Extended Security Update (ESU) program. Here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot the grayed-out enrollment option:
sfc /scannow and chkdsk. If you haven't already, you might also want to run the DISM tool with the command DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth to repair the Windows image.Following these steps should help you troubleshoot the enrollment issue for ESU. If you continue to face difficulties, it may require a more in-depth investigation by Microsoft Support.
References: