Extend Windows 10 Support to 2032 | Upgrade to Windows 10 LTSC

Windows 10 stopped receiving security updates on October 14, 2025. This means your computer won’t get protection against new threats, which makes it risky to use for online banking, shopping, or regular work. But you don’t have to switch to Windows 11 or buy a new computer just yet.

You can upgrade your current Windows 10 Home or Pro to Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021. This version gets security updates all the way until January 13, 2032. The upgrade keeps everything on your computer the same—all your files, programs, and settings stay exactly where they are. You just need to make one small change in the Windows registry and then install the IoT Enterprise version.

Key Takeaways

Windows 10 reached end of support in October 2025 and no longer receives security updates
You can upgrade to Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021 to receive security updates until January 2032
The upgrade process keeps all your files, apps, and settings intact through an in-place installation

Why the End of Support for Windows 10 Is Important

Dangers of Running Outdated Windows Systems

Your PC stops getting security updates after Windows 10 reaches its end of support date. This happened on October 14, 2025.

Without these updates, your computer becomes unsafe over time. You face real risks when you browse the web, make payments, or do your daily work.

The longer you use an unsupported version, the more vulnerable your system becomes. Security holes stay open because no one is fixing them anymore.

Effects on Protection and Daily Use

Your system no longer receives patches for new security threats. This leaves you exposed to malware, viruses, and hackers who target known weaknesses.

Key areas at risk include:

Online banking and payment processing
Personal data stored on your computer
Email and web browsing activities
Work-related files and documents

Your computer may still work normally for basic tasks. However, the hidden security risks grow each day without updates. Any activity that involves sensitive information becomes increasingly dangerous on an unsupported system.

What Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021 Offers

Advantages of Extended Maintenance

Your PC will get security updates until January 13, 2032. This gives you over six more years of protection even though regular Windows 10 stopped getting updates on October 14, 2025.

You can keep using your computer safely for browsing, payments, and work tasks. The extended support means your system stays protected against new threats.

All your files stay in place during the upgrade. Your installed programs and settings remain exactly as they were before.

Available Installation Options

You can upgrade from Windows 10 Home or Pro to IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021. The upgrade process works as an in-place installation.

Compatible Starting Versions:

Windows 10 Home
Windows 10 Professional

The setup keeps everything on your computer unchanged. You don’t lose any data or applications during the process.

Your desktop will look the same after the upgrade finishes. The only change is that your system now runs the IoT LTSC edition instead of your previous version.

Getting Ready for the Update

Saving Your Files and Information

Before you start the update process, you need to change a setting in the Windows registry. This edit lets your computer accept the IoT Enterprise LTSC installer and upgrade without removing anything.

Click the start button and type “regedit” to open the registry editor. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, then open Software, followed by Microsoft, then Windows NT, and finally open the folder called Current Version.

Look for an entry called Edition ID inside this folder. Double click it to open. You will see the value shows either “Professional” or “Home” based on your current Windows version.

Change this value to IoT Enterprise S. Make sure you type it exactly with the same capital letters shown. Click okay when done.

Do not restart your computer after making this change. Just close the registry editor window. Your system is now ready to proceed.

Key Points to Know Before You Begin

You need to download the IoT LTSC 2021 ISO file before starting. Open your browser and search for Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021. Find the archive.org page for this version and click on the ISO image link.

The file is about 4.5 GB in size. The download time depends on your internet speed.

After the download finishes, go to where the file was saved. Right click the ISO file and select mount. Windows creates a virtual DVD drive and opens it for you.

Inside the drive, find the file called setup.exe and double click it. The setup window appears and asks if you want to download updates. Choose not right now to continue.

The setup checks your system first. Then you will see a screen showing which edition will be installed. It displays Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021 as the version. Below that, you see confirmation that your personal files and apps will be kept. This matters because everything on your computer stays exactly as it is.

Making Changes to the Windows Registry

Opening the Registry Editor

Click on the start button and type “regedit” into the search box. When the registry editor appears in the results, open it.

You will need to navigate through a specific path to find the correct location. Start by clicking on the folder labeled HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE. Next, open the Software folder, then Microsoft, followed by Windows NT. Finally, open the folder named CurrentVersion.

Inside this folder, you’ll see many different values listed. You only need to change one specific entry.

Finding and Changing the Edition ID

Look for the entry called EditionID in the list of values. Double click on this entry to open it.

The current value will show either “Professional” or “Home” based on your current Windows version. You need to change this text to IoTEnterpriseS. Make sure you type it exactly with the same capital letters as shown.

After typing the new value, click OK to save the change. This is the only modification you need to make in the registry.

Important: Do not restart your computer after making this change. Simply close the registry editor window and move on to the next step. Your system is now ready for the upgrade process.

Getting the IoT Enterprise LTSSE ISO File

Locating Trustworthy Download Links

You need to download the Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSSE 2021 ISO file to start the upgrade process. Open your web browser and search for Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSSE 2021.

Navigate to the archive.org page that hosts the Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSSE 2021 files. This is where you can find the ISO image you need for the upgrade.

Click on the ISO image link to begin downloading the file. The file is approximately 4.5 GB in size.

The download time will vary based on your internet connection speed. It may take several minutes to complete.

Confirming You Have the Right ISO File

Make sure you are downloading the correct version of the ISO file. You want the Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSSE 2021 edition specifically.

The file should be in ISO format. This is the standard disk image format that Windows can mount and use for installation.

Once the download finishes, check the file size to confirm it is around 4.5 GB. This helps verify you have the complete and correct file.

Opening and Starting the Setup Program

Accessing the Virtual Drive

After the ISO file finishes downloading, go to the folder where you saved it. Right click on the ISO file. Select the option called mount from the menu that appears.

Windows will create a virtual DVD drive and open it on its own. Inside this drive, you’ll see a file named setup.exe.

Starting the Installation

Double click on the setup.exe file. The Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC setup window will appear on your screen.

The program will ask if you want to download updates. Choose the option that says not right now. The setup will begin checking your system to make sure everything is ready.

After the checks finish, you’ll see a screen showing the edition that will be installed. It should display Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021. Below that, you’ll see a message confirming that your personal files and apps will be kept. This is important because it means everything on your computer stays exactly as it is.

Click on install to continue. Your system will begin the upgrade process.

The screen will turn blue and your PC will restart several times. This is normal behavior during installation. Do not interrupt the process or turn off your computer.

Let Windows complete the installation without any interaction. When the upgrade finishes, you’ll return to your desktop exactly as it was before. All your apps, files, and settings will still be in place. The only change is that your system now runs the IoT LTSC edition.

Carrying Out the In-Place Upgrade

Setup Process and Timeline

Double click on the setup.exe file inside the mounted drive. The Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC setup window will open.

When the installer asks whether you want to download updates, select the option that says not right now. The setup will begin checking your system.

After the checks finish, you’ll see a screen showing the edition that will be installed. It should display Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021.

Below that, you’ll see a confirmation that your personal files and apps will be kept. This message confirms that everything on your computer will stay exactly as it is.

Click on install to begin. Your system will start the upgrade process.

The screen will turn blue and your PC will restart several times. This is normal behavior, so do not interrupt the process. You only need to let Windows complete the installation without interfering.

When the upgrade finishes, you’ll return to your desktop exactly as it was before. All the apps, files, and settings will still be in place. The only change is that your system now runs the IoT LTSC edition.

Checking Your Files and Programs

Click on the start button and open settings. Go to system and then open the about page.

You’ll see the edition of Windows that is currently installed on your PC. It should show Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021. This confirms that the upgrade was successful and that your system is now on the long-term support version of Windows 10.

Your Windows may show as not activated after the upgrade. This is normal because the IoT LTSC edition uses a different type of product key.

To activate it, you can either enter a valid IoT LTSC key if you already have one. If you don’t have the key, you can get it through official and legal methods available online.

Once Windows verifies the activation, your system will show as fully activated. From this point forward, your device will continue to receive security updates until January 13, 2032.

Verifying Your Upgrade Was Successful

Confirming Your Windows Version

You need to check that your system is now running the correct edition. Click on the start button and open settings.

Go to system and then open the about page. You will see the edition of Windows that is currently installed on your PC.

It should display Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021. This confirms that the upgrade worked and your system is now on the long-term support version of Windows 10.

Activation and Update Status

Your Windows may display as not activated after the upgrade. This is normal because the IoT LTSC edition uses a different type of product key.

You have options to activate it:

Enter a valid IoT LTSC key if you already have one
Get a key through official and legal methods available online
Use your preferred activation method

Once Windows verifies the activation, your system will show as fully activated. From this point forward, your device will continue to receive security updates until January 13, 2032.

Your Windows 10 system will remain secure and supported for many more years. Regular Windows 10 has already reached the end of support, but yours will keep receiving protection.

Setting Up Your IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021 License

What You Need for Product Keys

Your Windows may appear as not activated after you complete the upgrade. This happens because the IoT LTSC edition requires a different type of product key than what you used before.

You have two main options to handle this. You can enter a valid IoT LTSC key if you already own one. If you don’t have a key, you can obtain it through official and legal methods available online.

Ways to Activate Your System

People have their own ways of handling activation based on what they prefer or what they usually do on their systems. Experienced users already know the common approaches that are available.

Whatever method you choose, Windows will need to verify the activation. Once verification is complete, your system will display as fully activated.

After activation, your device will receive security updates until January 13, 2032. Your Windows 10 system will stay secure and supported for many more years, even though regular Windows 10 has already reached the end of support.

Receiving Security Updates Through 2032

Your Windows 10 system can continue getting security updates until January 13, 2032. This extended support period comes from upgrading to the IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021 edition.

Regular Windows 10 stopped receiving security updates on October 14, 2025. After that date, your computer becomes unsafe for browsing, making payments, and doing daily work. The IoT LTSC version solves this problem by giving you more than six additional years of protection.

What happens after activation:

Your device receives regular security updates
Your system stays protected against new threats
You can safely browse and make online payments
All your work remains secure

The update schedule runs through January 13, 2032. During this time, Microsoft will send patches and fixes to keep your computer safe. You don’t need to do anything special to receive these updates. They arrive automatically just like they did with your previous Windows 10 version.

This extended timeline means you can keep using your current computer instead of buying a new one. You get seven years of support from 2025 to 2032. Your files, programs, and settings stay exactly the same while you get the security benefits.

The IoT Enterprise LTSC edition is built for long-term use. It focuses on stability and security rather than adding new features. This approach helps older computers run smoothly while staying protected.

You now have a clear path forward for your Windows 10 system. The security updates will keep arriving until 2032, giving you peace of mind for many years ahead.

Final Steps

After your PC restarts and the upgrade finishes, your desktop will look the same as before. All your apps will still be there. Your files will not be deleted.

The only thing that changed is the Windows edition running on your computer.

Verify the Upgrade

Click the start button and open settings. Go to system and then click on the about page.

Look at the edition of Windows listed on this screen. It should say Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021.

This means the upgrade worked and you are now using the long-term support version.

Activation Status

Your Windows might show as not activated after this process. This is normal because the IoT LTSC edition needs a different product key.

You have a few options to activate it:

Enter a valid IoT LTSC key if you own one
Get a key through official and legal methods online
Use your preferred activation method

Experienced users already know the common ways to handle this step. Once Windows confirms the activation, your system will show as fully activated.

Extended Support Timeline

Your device will now get security updates until January 13, 2032. This gives you many more years of protection even though regular Windows 10 support already ended.

Your Windows 10 system will stay secure and supported through this extended timeline.