In August 1942, "Windsor", "Montrose", "Walpole", and the destroyer detached for duty with the Home Fleet at Scapa Flow and deployed in the Northwestern Approaches to escort major warships of the Home Fleet and conduct antisubmarine patrols. In September 1942, "Windsor" was assigned to support the passage of the Arctic convoys PQ 18 and QP 14 during their voyages to and from the Soviet Union, respectively. On 8 September 1942, she joined the escort of PQ 18, but on 9 September she detached from the convoy to form Force P, consisting of "Windsor", the escort destroyers and , and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary tankers RFA "Blue Ranger" (A157) and RFA "Oligarch". Force P proceeded to Lowe Sound at Spitsbergen to establish a refuelling base. "Windsor" operated as a guard ship there from 12 September until 21 September 1942, when refuelling operations were complete and she departed for Iceland. On 26 September, she departed Iceland to return to her North Sea convoy and patrol duties with the 16th Destroyer Flotilla.