After officially ending support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, Microsoft has released its second Extended Security Update (ESU) KB5071546 for the operating system. This update ensures that devices still running Windows 10 continue to receive essential security patches and system reliability improvements, even after mainstream support has ended. This update is only available for devices enrolled in the ESU program and upgrades:
- Windows 10 version 22H2 to build 19045.6691,
- Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 to build 19044.6691.
This update is part of Microsoft’s December 2025 Patch Tuesday release, which addresses 57 security vulnerabilities, including three zero-day flaws. There are no new features for Windows 10; it’s about maintaining security for remaining users.
The primary changes in this update, released on December 9, 2025, are:
PowerShell Fix: The Invoke-WebRequest command in PowerShell 5.1 now includes a confirmation prompt with a security warning to prevent the unintended execution of malicious scripts from web content.
Alongside KB5071546, Microsoft has also pushed out KB5071544 (OS Build 17763.8146) for Windows 10 version 1809. While this release primarily contains security fixes and general improvements, it ensures that even older, long-term supported editions of Windows 10 remain secure during the ESU phase.
How to Download and Install KB5071546
The KB5071546 update is available through Windows Update for ESU-enrolled devices.
Here’s how to install it manually:
- Right-click on the start menu, select settings,
- Go to Update & Security, then Windows Update,
- Now, click the Check for updates button, and you will notice 2025-12 Cumulative Update for Windows 10 Version 22H2 for x86-based Systems (KB5071546) started downloading.
- Once done, you need to restart your PC to apply the updates.
Alternatively, you can download the offline installer from the Microsoft Update Catalog and manually install the update.
- Visit the Microsoft Update Catalog.
- Search for “KB5071546” and select the appropriate version (e.g., 32-bit, 64-bit, or ARM64) based on your system.
- Download the .msu file, double-click it to run the installer, and follow the prompts. Restart your device to complete the process.
And if you are looking for Windows 10 version 22H2 ISO image, you can get it from here.
Windows 10 KB5071546 update Direct Download Links: 64-bit and 32-bit (x86).
The above link opens the Microsoft Update Catalog, which is the public library of Windows Updates released in the past. You can click on the ‘Download’ button next to the version of Windows you’ve installed and begin the download by clicking on .msu link, which appears in the next pop-up.
Microsoft strongly recommends upgrading to Windows 11 for continued security and support.
Here’s a quick summary of what the December 2025 update delivers:
- Addresses 57 vulnerabilities, including 3 zero-day flaws.
- Patches CVE-2025-54100, a PowerShell 5.1 remote code execution vulnerability.
- The Invoke-WebRequest command now shows a security warning prompt:
“Security Warning: Script Execution Risk. Do you want to continue?”
Users must confirm to proceed. Use -UseBasicParsing to avoid parsing scripts from untrusted web content.
- Focus completely on security and stability.
- Adds minor stability and performance improvements across Windows 10 components.
- Ensures continued security support for Windows 10 devices under ESU.
