Quick Points
- So, Microsoft just announced that for folks in the European Economic Area (EEA), the extended support updates for Windows 10 are now free for a whole extra year – until October 2026!
- What's interesting is they changed their approach after some pushback from consumer groups over earlier conditions that felt a bit off.
- interestingly, Instead of needing to sync all your settings to the cloud, you can still get the security updates without those hoops to jump through.
- For users outside the EEA, you'll still have to either pay up or use a Microsoft Rewards scheme to stay updated.
- Basically, if you’ve got a Windows 10 machine in the EEA, it's like getting an extra life in a video game right when you thought you were out.
Microsoft has confirmed that it is making access to Windows 10’s extended support updates (ESU) program completely free for an additional year, until October 14, 2026, for regions in the European Economic Area (EEA.) This change means users will no longer be required to sync their PC settings to the cloud via a Microsoft account for free access to extended security updates throughout the next 12 months.
The company has confirmed the change in a statement to Windows Central:
“In the European Economic Area, we’re making updates to the enrollment process to ensure it meets local expectations and delivers a secure, streamlined experience. Our goal is to support customers and provide them with options as they transition to Windows 11, with uninterrupted access to critical security updates.”
The change comes after consumer defence organizations like Euroconsumers challenged Microsoft’s decision to gate access to the ESU program behind conditions that benefited the company financially under the Digital Markets Act. Euroconsumers has now published an email confirming that Microsoft has told them that access to the ESU program will be free in the EEA, without PC cloud backup being required:
“We are pleased to learn that Microsoft will provide a no-cost Extended Security Updates (ESU) option for Windows 10 consumer users in the European Economic Area (EEA). We are also glad this option will not require users to back up settings, apps, or credentials, or use Microsoft Rewards.”
This means that for users in the EEA, Microsoft is essentially extending Windows 10’s security updates by a year. It seems the user will still need to enroll into extended security updates, which will require the user to authenticate with a Microsoft account once every 60 days, but it will no longer require the user to sync their PC settings to the cloud or cost money.
For users outside of the EEA, it sounds like that at least for now, access to the ESU program will still require one of the following:
- Sign-in with a Microsoft account and sync PC settings to the cloud
- Pay $30
- Redeem 1,000 Microsoft Reward points
Alternatively, users can upgrade to Windows 11, or move away from Windows entirely if they don’t want to give Microsoft any more money. With hundreds of millions of Windows 10 PCs still in active use across the globe, next month’s end of support date is going to impact many people. At least if you’re in the EEA, you no longer need to worry as access to extended security updates is now free until October 2026, no questions asked.
Windows 10 end of support will take place on October 14, 2025.
Updated: Included additional information from Microsoft about the new enrollment process and requirements for users in the European Economic Area. Learn more here.
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Sounds Nerdy Insights
- These reality is First off, this turnaround shows that consumer feedback can really make waves! It’s refreshing when big companies like Microsoft listen and respond, especially when user rights come into it.
- But why limit this sweet deal to just the EEA? It kinda raises eyebrows about what other regions might be missing out on similar support.
- I wonder how many users were actually syncing settings with their Microsoft accounts for those updates anyway. Did they get caught unaware interestingly, by Microsoft's previous plan?
- Honestly, Microsoft’s move could feel like a strategy to retain good will/preserve loyalty as more people start looking at Windows 11 or alternatives out there. Nobody likes feeling trapped by software.
- Also, this highlights that even as tech moves forward, there are loads of people still relying heavily on older systems. It makes me think—what's Microsoft going to do after this extended date? Are they setting themselves up for yet another upgrade urgency?
- Plus, considering how fragmented software ecosystems can become due to regional strategies, I’m curious how often we’ll see things like this repeating—a mini-lesson in market dynamics.
- To wrap it up, winning back users’ trust ain't easy; but hey, this is one way to demonstrate accountability—it'll definitely have a ripple effect beyond just software updates!
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