Windows 10 Free Extended Security Updates – With a Catch
▼ Summary
– Microsoft is offering free Extended Security Updates (ESU) for Windows 10 if users enable Windows Backup, which may require purchasing additional OneDrive storage.
– Consumers can also pay $30 or redeem 1,000 Microsoft Reward points to enroll in ESU, with an enrollment wizard launching in July.
– Extended security updates for Windows 10 will end on October 13, 2026, though businesses can buy up to three years of updates.
– Microsoft is pushing Windows 11 adoption, calling 2025 “the year of the Windows 11 PC refresh,” despite 37% of Steam users still on Windows 10.
– Microsoft may increase prompts to alert Windows 10 users about the end of support, urging upgrades or new PC purchases.
Microsoft is offering free extended security updates for Windows 10, but there’s a twist, users must enable cloud backups to qualify. The company recently announced this alternative to its previously disclosed $30 annual fee for continued security patches beyond the operating system’s official end-of-support date in October 2025.
To access free Extended Security Updates (ESU), users must activate Windows Backup, which syncs system settings and local folders to OneDrive. While the basic 5GB of free storage might suffice for some, those with extensive files in their Documents folder may need to purchase additional cloud space. This requirement effectively makes the “free” option conditional for many.
For those unwilling to use cloud backups, Microsoft provides two alternatives: paying the $30 yearly fee or redeeming 1,000 Microsoft Reward points. A new enrollment wizard, rolling out in July, will guide users through these choices. According to Yusuf Mehdi, Microsoft’s consumer chief marketing officer, selecting an option and completing the on-screen steps will automatically enroll the device.
Extended security updates for consumers will only last until October 2026, though businesses can buy up to three additional years of coverage. Notably, Windows 10 devices accessing Windows 11 Cloud PCs via Windows 365 or Virtual Machines will receive ESU at no cost.
Microsoft continues pushing users toward Windows 11, labeling 2025 as the year for PC upgrades. Despite Windows 11’s growing dominance in gaming, surpassing Windows 10 on Steam late last year, over a third of Steam users still rely on the older OS. With the support deadline approaching, expect more aggressive upgrade prompts as Microsoft aims to phase out Windows 10 entirely.
(Source: The Verge)
