this post was submitted on 15 Oct 2025
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Microsoft Activation Scripts has a method to activate three years of extended security updates on Windows 10 for free.
Bonus: Microsoft tech support has been repeatedly caught using these scripts to resolve support tickets for license issues. (https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/microsoft-support-cracks-windows-for-customer-after-activation-fails/)
Edit: If you go this route, please also see the FAQ entry here. There is currently a glitch with commercial ESU keys (which this uses) and Windows Update will continue to claim that your device will no longer receive security updates. This is also effecting W10 LTSC systems. However, you can verify that the license key is active through Command Prompt and instructions are given in the FAQ.
I went this route for now. I bought some additional storage, and once I get some time, I plan on shuffling some files around and making a Linux partition. I was considering Mint, but think I'll try Bazzite instead.
Lol if I was unlucky enough to be Microsoft tech support I'd probably run this on a customer machine too
The icing on the cake is that the open-source MAS code is hosted on Github, which Microsoft owns. Between this and their support use, they're practically endorsing it!