Microsoft will offer free Windows 10 updates for another year
Microsoft is taking a major step back from its original plans to end support for Windows 10 The company has announced that Extended Security Updates (ESU) – the security updates intended for users after the official retirement date – will be offered free of charge for another year in the European Economic Area (EEA). This means that millions of users in EU member states and associated countries will not have to pay to protect their devices.
Windows 10 gets a breath of fresh air until 2026
Official support for Windows 10 is set to end on October 14, 2025. As a result, the operating system would no longer receive critical security updates, exposing users to major risks. However, in the EEA, Microsoft has decided to extend free access to ESU updates until October 14, 2026.
Furthermore, the company confirmed that it will no longer be necessary to sync PC settings to the cloud via a Microsoft account, as initially announced. Users will only need to periodically log in (once every 60 days) with a Microsoft account. But without being forced to save data, applications or passwords in the cloud.
Pressure from consumer protection organizations
This change comes after organizations such as Euroconsumers challenged Microsoft’s initial decision to condition free access to ESU on the use of services that brought the company financial benefits. Under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), these practices were deemed problematic for consumers.
Euroconsumers publicly confirmed that Microsoft had caved in to pressure, sending an email clearly stating:
“We are pleased to learn that Microsoft will offer a free option for Extended Security Updates to Windows 10 users in the European Economic Area. We are also pleased that this option will not require cloud backup or use of Microsoft Rewards.”
Major differences between Windows 10 users in the EEA and the rest of the world
While this is great news for European users, the situation remains complicated for the rest of the world. Outside the European Economic Area, access to Windows 10 security updates after October 14, 2025 remains conditional on:
- payment of a fee of 30 USD,
- using 1000 Microsoft Rewards points, or
- mandatory Microsoft account login and cloud settings synchronization.
In these regions, users basically have three options: accept Microsoft’s terms, switch to Windows 11 , or migrate to another operating system.
What does this decision mean for users?
It is estimated that hundreds of millions of PCs are still running Windows 10 globally. Many users are unable or unwilling to make the transition to Windows 11, either due to hardware limitations or a lack of interest in the change.
For users in the EEA, this Microsoft decision means an additional year of digital security. No hidden costs and no restrictive conditions. The question remains whether Microsoft will extend the free service outside of Europe. Perhaps public pressure will force the company to rethink its strategy again.
Source: windowscentral.com
