URGENT - Attn:

[CC7997]

Hi NonSequitur777,

Thank you for your reply.

I am so upset with myself!

• Some days ago I extended the date for the Windows update to 07/10/2026, 
• As for a number of reasons I have not yet been able to create the recovery USB or sort my photos,  videos & documents etc. 
• After running out of ink, I only managed to print the instructions this morning.
• I thought my PC had crashed earlier today, as multiple open Firefox browsers and Word files closed when I was away from my PC.

• However, when I tried to find the 'schedule updates' button to extend the date further, it was missing.
• I then checked 'update history' and found the following:

I am so upset with myself.

• What do I do now please?

Thank you in advance for your assistance.

I await your reply.

Kind regards,

[NonSequitur777]

@CC7997,

Hello again, and please don't be upset with yourself.

I have looked carefully at your new screenshot, and there is actually some good news.

The update you were postponing has now successfully installed.

Your Update History shows:

Extended Security Updates (ESU) Licensing Preparation Package for Windows 10 Version 22H2 for x64-based Systems (KB5126256)

Successfully installed on 03/10/2026

This is the ESU Licensing Preparation Package we discussed previously. Microsoft identifies KB5126256 as a prerequisite for enrolling an eligible Windows 10 22H2 PC in the Extended Security Updates program. Installing it does not by itself enroll the PC in ESU, but it prepares the licensing/enrollment components needed for ESU.

Microsoft also states that the computer restarts automatically after this package is installed.

Therefore, the fact that you could no longer find the previous "Schedule updates" option and that your open Firefox and Word windows had disappeared is consistent with Windows having completed the scheduled update and restarted the computer.

So please don't try to undo or remove KB5126256.

We have now confirmed that this particular update is installed successfully.

What I would like you to do next:

Please do not make any other changes yet.

Open:

Settings → Update & Security → Windows Update

and send me a screenshot of the main Windows Update page.

I want to see whether Windows is now showing: "You're up to date"

or whether there are additional updates, a restart requirement, or an ESU enrollment message.

Also, regarding the Cloud/OneDrive backup message: please don't enable cloud backup simply because Windows is encouraging you to do so. We can continue with the external 4 TB drive as planned.

Most importantly, do not delete any more photographs or attempt to repair/move the folders that appear to be empty until we have protected the important files.

We have now established that KB5126256 is installed. That is one problem we can cross off the list.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[CC7997]

Hi NonSequitur777,

Thank you for your response and the relief you gave me.

I will precisely follow your instructions.

Please find below screenshots as requested.  I hope that the information you are looking for is present.

If not, please let me know.

Thank you once again for your help and assistance.

Kind regards,

[NonSequitur777]

@CC7997,

Hello again,

Thank you for providing all of these screenshots. They are exactly what I needed.

I have now checked them carefully, and there is an important change from where we were previously.

KB5126256 has successfully installed, and Windows is now displaying the official "Enroll in Extended Security Updates" option. Microsoft confirms that KB5126256 is the preparation package for ESU; it does not itself enroll the computer. The next step is to complete the ESU enrollment.

Your screenshots also show that Windows has already performed a Check for updates and has returned to the normal Windows Update screen. I do not see a separate update waiting for you to install from these screenshots.

So please do the following one thing next:

1. Go to Settings → Update & Security → Windows Update.

2. Click "Enroll now" under "Enroll in Extended Security Updates".

3. STOP when the next screen appears.

Please do not select any option concerning OneDrive, backing up your files, Microsoft Rewards, payment, or anything else at that point.

Instead, please take a screenshot of that ESU enrollment screen and post it here.

I want to see exactly which enrollment options Microsoft is offering on your particular PC before you choose one.

Do not worry about the "Your device is missing important security and quality fixes" wording at the top of the Windows Update page. The screenshots show that Windows 10 support has ended and that the PC is not yet enrolled in ESU; Microsoft explains that eligible PCs receive their post-support security updates through ESU after enrollment.

Also, please continue to leave your photographs and the folders that appear empty completely alone for now.

Do not delete, move or rename anything, and do not continue deleting duplicate photographs.

We will deal with your external 4-TB backup separately and carefully. The ESU enrollment itself is the next thing I want to identify and complete.

For now, just click "Enroll now" and show me the next screen. Do not proceed beyond that screen until we have looked at it together.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[CC7997]

Gm NonSequitur777,

Thank you once again...

Here is the information you have requested with a little extra:

• As you can see from the Windows screenshot page, "Get the latest updates as soon as they're available is switched off."
• I keep it this way so that updates are NOT installed without my knowledge & consent.  This did not work with the recent installation days ago...
• Many moons ago, during updates & installations users collect select to omit certain parts of an installation.  However, we do not appear to have such options now.

On a separate topic...

• I am having issues with my Brother MFC J1010DW Printer, which is having a hissy fit as 2 x third party Cartridges (non genuine Brother Cartridges), have been installed. 
• As a result it is NOT printing any colour pages, instead leaving blank spaces.
• The Printer did NOT respond like this when previous third party Cartridges were installed, though they were purchased from a different seller at the time.
• Might you be able to advise on a get around, please?

I have re-ordered alternative Cartridges due to arrive on Fri.

• Rest assured, I will NOT be doing anything with my photos > videos > & files > documents (including PDF's) on my PC, until you advise me when and how to do so.

The same with my iPhone:

 Thank you in advance for your assistance.

I await your reply.

Kind regards,

[NonSequitur777]

@CC7997,

Thank you —this is exactly the information I needed.

I have now reviewed all three screenshots, and we can proceed.

Your screenshot 424753 is the actual Extended Security Updates enrollment wizard. It says:

"Enroll in Extended Security Updates to stay protected"

and provides Maybe later and Next.

Please click "Next".

Then stop on the next screen and take another screenshot for me.

I specifically want to see the enrollment choices Microsoft presents before you select anything.

Regarding your other observations:

1. Leave "Get the latest updates as soon as they're available" switched OFF.

You do not need to change this setting for ESU. That setting is not a master "ask me before installing updates" switch; it primarily controls whether the PC is prioritized for newer non-security/feature updates.

2. You are correct that Windows 10 no longer gives us the old granular update-selection experience.

The current Windows Update interface is considerably less granular than the Windows Update systems many of us remember from earlier versions of Windows.

3. The "Install updates as soon as possible" item is not something I want you to change right now.

Leave the Windows Update settings exactly as they are while we complete the ESU enrollment.

4. Most importantly, don't select anything on the next ESU screen yet.

Microsoft currently provides several legitimate consumer ESU enrollment methods, including an option involving Windows settings synchronization, Microsoft Rewards points, or a one-time purchase.

I want to see which choices Microsoft is actually presenting on your particular PC/account before I tell you which one to use.

So, for now, the entire assignment is simply:

Click “Next” → stop → screenshot the next screen → post it here.

Nothing else needs to be changed.

And please continue to leave the photographs and the apparently empty folders alone. We will handle that separately.

Regarding your Brother MFC J1010DW Printer issue, since this is the HP Community forum, we stick with HP-related soft- and hardware only. You'll have to reach out to the "Brother Printer Repair Forum".

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[CC7997]

Hi NonSequitur777,

Thank you for your reply.

Unfortunately, I’m unable to log into the email address associated to MS email address.  I have to wait 24hrs for MS to come back to me.

Re:  Brother Printer - Oops! Thank you for your advice.

Kind regards,