[DISCUSSION] Windows 10 ESU License: All options, Activation, and Troubleshooting

Discussion in 'Windows 10' started by Enthousiast, Sep 11, 2025.

  1. knopper84

    knopper84 MDL Novice

    Dec 5, 2015
    12
    5
    0
    #141 knopper84, Oct 22, 2025
    Last edited: Oct 22, 2025
    ok thanks. and any chance that MS will block this too one day? because they dont won't private customers to get the updates without MS Account....
    or is it relatively secure like the Windows 7 ESU Bypass?
     
  2. abbodi1406

    abbodi1406 MDL KB0000001

    Feb 19, 2011
    18,562
    99,677
    340
    That's why the registry alone require system restart
    because it's only read during boot
     
  3. Carlos Detweiller

    Carlos Detweiller Emperor of Ice-Cream
    Staff Member

    Dec 21, 2012
    8,041
    10,268
    270
    It's bog standard licenses, unlikely to be blocked. At the beginning, Home wasn't supported, then,they actually and officially added it.
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
  4. ardap86

    ardap86 MDL Novice

    Oct 21, 2025
    2
    7
    0
    Hello everyone,

    there is now also a new script that downloads and installs the current updates for Windows 10 22H2 via the official Microsoft Update Catalog, without needing an ESU license. It also works with a local account and no 'hacks' are applied. All information is available in the README.txt:

    github.com/ardap86/Windows_10_ESU_Catalog_Monthly_Updates
     
  5. andreasmith

    andreasmith MDL Novice

    Oct 7, 2025
    10
    4
    0
  6. abbodi1406

    abbodi1406 MDL KB0000001

    Feb 19, 2011
    18,562
    99,677
    340
    Why do you think ESU update will install without ESU license?
    we have got none yet
     
  7. ardap86

    ardap86 MDL Novice

    Oct 21, 2025
    2
    7
    0
  8. Enthousiast

    Enthousiast MDL Tester

    Oct 30, 2009
    54,753
    125,005
    450
    Nope, the catalog updates are free to download for everybody, the installing needs the ESU bypass in place as it always was.
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
  9. Carlos Detweiller

    Carlos Detweiller Emperor of Ice-Cream
    Staff Member

    Dec 21, 2012
    8,041
    10,268
    270
    AFAIK it fails at 67% in Stage 3.
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
  10. knopper84

    knopper84 MDL Novice

    Dec 5, 2015
    12
    5
    0
    ok tried MAS TSForge. it works! :D
    but in many other boards like reddit and its not allowed to post this "tip" or any links. because many people struggle and asking with the official MS Account solution
    For them its "pirated / illegal content" (an official github project) and you get blocked / post gets removed lol :cool:
     
  11. Enthousiast

    Enthousiast MDL Tester

    Oct 30, 2009
    54,753
    125,005
    450
    We'll know for sure it works when the next updates are offered, no ESU updates were offered yet.
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
  12. Doodieman

    Doodieman MDL Junior Member

    Aug 12, 2012
    72
    22
    0
    Can MS detect that i activated ESU with tool in corporate desktops?

    Which are the consequences?

    Sorry for asking but we cant replace desktops with new and also they not support 11
     
  13. June's Hill

    June's Hill MDL Member

    Jul 1, 2021
    140
    180
    10
    Very valid questions, dear mate. I remember that @Windows_Addict and @abbodi1406 made a nice GitHub repository as Archive. Its name was "MAS Legacy Activation Methods" or something similar.

    Until some months, it still works, I don't know if it currently works. But the detail is that those "old"/"legacy" methods, use a kind of HWID activation with LockBox method.
    This method is the most "original"/"legal" way to activate Windows, and it is/was exactly the same as if you acquired a legit license, even for Windows Enterprise, IoT Enterprise, Education and the other "Business"/"Volume" editions.
    So Microsoft will never know you use MAS or you buy a license, and you could use it in corporate environment, that is: HWID [LockBox] + ESU [3-Year or 6-Year as placeholder].
     
  14. Osuser

    Osuser MDL Novice

    Sep 23, 2025
    16
    0
    0
    Hi I am well out of my speciality here. Dont take my word for it. I only read about tsforge since 3 week. But i do remember someone saying microsoft dont go after individual but that they only go and give problems to coorporation that would have not paid for the esu. Im not sure but encourage you to look further into it to avoid bad surprise. Or take confirmation from more experienced knowlegeable users. Just wanted to help you with what i read before from memory.
     
  15. Doodieman

    Doodieman MDL Junior Member

    Aug 12, 2012
    72
    22
    0
    Thats my question. How ms can see/detect remotely if a desktop is in a business area or home? Sorry for my english
     
  16. witherornot

    witherornot MDL Member

    Nov 18, 2020
    151
    965
    10
    They will check if you had a prior enterprise contract with them, not by your location. Part of the agreement in that contract is you agree to regular audits to make sure you are only using licensed software and in the correct amounts.

    If you didn't make such arrangements and don't contact them for support, they're not going to come looking for you.
     
  17. abbodi1406

    abbodi1406 MDL KB0000001

    Feb 19, 2011
    18,562
    99,677
    340
    I had nothing to do, or contributed to that :)