- Microsoft will offer free ESU in the EEA for one year, until October 13, 2026.
- Microsoft account required, no payment, no Rewards, no OneDrive backup
- Enrollment via Windows Update; sign in every 60 days is required
- Outside Europe, payment terms remain the same; for businesses, there will be additional payment extensions.
The countdown to the Windows 10 end of support enters its decisive stretch and, in the European case, it comes with a key change: Extended security updates will be free for one year for users in the European Economic Area (EEA). This measure gives additional leeway to those who cannot upgrade to Windows 11 due to hardware requirements.
The decision, confirmed by Microsoft and welcomed by consumer organisations, means that You won't have to pay $30, redeem Rewards points, or sync backups to OneDrive. to continue receiving critical patches. One condition remains: use of a Microsoft account linked to the system.
What Microsoft has announced and until when
The company will apply a one-year, free extension of the Windows 10 ESU program in Europe, with coverage until October 13, 2026This way, devices will continue to receive critical and important monthly updates even after the end of mainstream support.
Official consumer support for Windows 10 ends on 14th October 2025, so this free extension adds a temporary cushion for an orderly transition to other options, whether Windows 11 or another platform.
The announcement applies to the 30 EEA countries, which include all EU member states as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. Microsoft said it is adapting the onboarding process to meet local expectations and maintain a secure experience..
Several specialized media and user associations corroborated the change of course, pointing out that the measure prevents premature obsolescence of millions of still-operational devices and reduces security risks in homes and SMEs.
Requirements and how to activate free ESUs in Europe
To benefit from the free extension, A Microsoft account linked to the computer is required. Cloud storage subscriptions and Windows Backup activation are no longer required, and payments and point redemption are no longer required.
Registration is done from the system configuration itself: in Windows Update the option to register for the program will appear Extended Security UpdatesIt's a guided and accessible process, with no additional forms required.
Once enrolled, Microsoft requires periodic account activity: You must log in at least once every 60 daysIf this is not done, ESU access will be suspended until you log in again with the same account.
This authentication requirement seeks to ensure that the device remains in use by its owner and that Patches are applied in controlled environments. You are not required to sync settings or documents with OneDrive.
Consumer pressure and regulatory framework
Microsoft's turnaround comes after efforts by entities such as Euroconsumers and the OCU, which demanded a solution compatible with the Digital Markets Law (DMA)Their main concern was that access to essential patches would be limited to the use of Microsoft's own services.
The technology company has stated that its objective is support the transition to Windows 11 and ensure seamless security updates. In parallel, the associations insist that they must avoid practices that lead to obsolescence of still valid equipment.
In that context, Microsoft is updating the EEA registration process to align with local expectations, providing a simpler, more secure experience without commercial requirements for the consumers.
Consumer advocacy organizations will continue to monitor the program's progress and push for protection is extended if necessary, in accordance with the European regulatory framework.
Situation outside Europe and in the business environment
Outside the EEA, the initial conditions remain: payment of 30 dollars, redeeming 1.000 Microsoft Rewards points, or using cloud services as part of ESU access. In those markets, the free extension does not apply.
For organizations, Microsoft offers different ESU plans with annual paid renewal, usually up to three additional years Since the end of standard support, costs typically increase each year, as is typical for this type of program.
This regional differentiation and by type of client respond to product policies already different regulatory requirements, so the experience is not identical in all countries.
In any case, the company reiterates that its priority is maintain user safety while preparing the jump to more recent versions of the system.
Impact for Windows 10 users
A significant portion of the fleet still uses Windows 10, with significant shares in many markets. Furthermore, 22 percent of users use it on devices from 2017 or earlier, which complicates the jump to Windows 11 due to requirements such as TPM 2.0 or supported CPU.
For those cases, the additional year at no cost reduces exposure to vulnerabilities and avoid hasty purchasing decisionsExtending the life of devices that continue to perform is both a safety and sustainability measure.
In terms of life cycle, the key milestone is the 14th October 2025 as the end of standard support. From then on, in Europe, free ESUs cover until October 13, 2026; after that period, Protection will depend on new decisions regulatory or from the manufacturer itself.
It is advisable to review compatibility and plan the migration in advance, both for security and Applications and peripherals that may require newer versions of the operating system.
quick questions
When does Windows 10 mainstream support end? It ends on October 14, 2025 for consumers, and from then on, ESUs come into play.
Until when are ESUs free in the EEA? Until October 13, 2026, with critical and important patches at no cost.
What do I need to enroll? A Microsoft account linked to your PC and enabling the option in Windows Update; no payment, Rewards, or OneDrive required.
Do I have to log in periodically? Yes, at least once every 60 days, or your ESU will be suspended until you log in again with the same account.
With this move, Europe gets millions of Windows 10 users to keep critical patches at no additional cost for one year, eliminating barriers such as payment, loyalty points, or cloud backup. The Microsoft account requirement and periodic authentication are still on the table, while organizations and regulators are watching to see if it's enough to protect those who can't yet make the jump to Windows 11.
