Windows 10 Security Updates: Free for EU Users for One More Year
▼ Summary
– Windows 10 users in the European Economic Area will receive free extended security updates until 2026 without requiring cloud backup, a reversal of Microsoft’s initial plan.
– Microsoft changed its policy due to pressure from Euroconsumers, which argued that conditional access to updates contravenes the EU’s Digital Markets Act.
– Euroconsumers criticized the one-year limit of the original ESU program as insufficient and misaligned with EU sustainability goals, given the hardware requirements for upgrading to Windows 11.
– The organization also highlighted that the Windows 10 phase-out could negatively impact the refurbished device market and increase electronic waste.
– Outside the EEA, home users must still pay or meet conditions for security updates, while business customers face a three-year, progressively more expensive ESU program.
For Windows 10 users across the European Economic Area, a significant reprieve has been granted. Microsoft will provide free extended security updates until October 2026, ensuring continued protection without mandating a cloud backup or a Microsoft Account. This move directly addresses concerns raised by consumer advocacy groups regarding user choice and accessibility.
The policy reversal appears to be a direct response to pressure from Euroconsumers, an organization that champions consumer-friendly policies within the EU. The group argued that Microsoft’s initial conditions for receiving security updates likely violated the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). Specifically, they pointed to a clause that forbids large “gatekeeper” platforms from restricting a user’s ability to switch between different software and services. The core of the issue was the perception that Microsoft was steering users toward its own ecosystem by making a Microsoft Account and OneDrive backup the path of least resistance for obtaining updates.
However, Euroconsumers has highlighted that the one-year extension, while welcome, is insufficient. In a letter to Microsoft, the organization stated that such a short-term solution fails to meet reasonable consumer expectations for a product with an immense active user base. They emphasized that this approach does not align with the spirit of the EU’s Digital Content Directive or its broader sustainability objectives. A critical point of contention is the hardware requirement for Windows 11, which prevents an upgrade for an estimated 850 million Windows 10 devices. This stands in stark contrast to the upgrade path from Windows 7 or 8 to Windows 10, which did not impose similar hardware barriers.
The organization further warned that phasing out Windows 10 support so soon after Windows 11’s release could negatively impact the market for refurbished and second-hand devices. This, in turn, contributes to the growing problem of electronic waste. Euroconsumers urged Microsoft to develop a solution that prioritizes consumer trust and promotes sustainable device use, rather than effectively linking software support termination to forced hardware replacement.
A Microsoft spokesperson has officially confirmed the updated policy for the EEA. The company stated that it is adjusting the enrollment process to better align with local expectations, aiming to deliver a secure and streamlined experience. Microsoft’s stated goal is to support customers during their transition to Windows 11 by guaranteeing uninterrupted access to vital security updates.
This development, however, offers no relief for Windows 10 home users outside the European Economic Area. Their options remain unchanged: pay a $61 USD fee for the first year of extended security updates, utilize 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points, or employ the Windows Backup feature to sync their settings to the cloud. For business customers, the Extended Security Updates program is more extensive and costly, with prices escalating from $61 for the first year to $244 for the third year.
(Source: HelpNet Security)
