Table of Contents
Is the New KB5071959 Update an Essential Fix for Your Unsupported Windows 10?
You might have seen a new update on your Windows 10 computer, even though support has ended. This update is called KB5071959. It appeared after October 14, 2025, the date Microsoft stopped regular support for Windows 10. This was not a typical security update for everyone. It was a special fix for a specific problem.
Why This Update Happened
Microsoft released this update to solve an issue with signing up for a program called Extended Security Updates, or ESU. The ESU program is a paid service. It allows you to keep getting important security updates for Windows 10 after the end-of-support date. A bug was stopping the ESU sign-up process from working correctly. This special update, known as an out-of-band (OOB) release, was sent out to fix that registration failure. OOB updates are urgent fixes released outside the normal schedule to address critical problems [, web.13].
What This Update Does
This KB5071959 update has one main job. It repairs the registration wizard for the ESU program. Here is a breakdown of what it includes and what it means for you:
- A Specific Fix: The update targets the error that prevented users from successfully enrolling in the paid ESU service.
- Previous Updates Included: It is cumulative, meaning it also contains the security patches from the last regular update on October 14, 2025.
- Enables ESU Enrollment: After installing this update, you should be able to sign up for the ESU program if you choose to do so.
- Not a Free Security Extension: This does not provide free ongoing security for all Windows 10 users. It only fixes the pathway to the paid ESU service.
Your Next Steps
If you plan to use your Windows 10 computer without paying for extra security, this update does not change the fact that your system is no longer supported. For continued safety from viruses and malware, the recommended action is to upgrade to Windows 11. If your device cannot run Windows 11, this update now allows you to properly register for the paid ESU program to receive security patches until October 2026.