Microsoft Issues Free Update Offer To Millions Of Windows Users
Per Windows Latest, 'there's a new Enroll Now link inside the Windows Update page.' You still have several options to extend security support, including paying $30 which could cover as many as 10 PCs on a single account. Most users will opt for the free update offer though, linking the ESU to their Microsoft account and OneDrive.
Microsoft confirmed this was coming back in July, blogging that 'individuals will begin to see an enrollment wizard through notifications and in Settings, making it simple to select the best option for you and enroll in ESU directly from your personal Windows 10 PC.' As Windows Latest confirms, 'more users should see the toggle' after this update.
'If you weren't seeing the option to extend updates earlier,' the website explains, 'you should try looking again after today's update.' It hasn't all been smooth sailing for the well-publicized ESU enrollment wizard. Some users reported 'immediately crashes' when it's clicked. This was a central Microsoft issue that is now fixed.
It's not all good news — at least not for Microsoft. Because 'all activated licenses of Windows 10 are eligible for ESU,' the accelerating progress that was being made pushing Windows 10 holdouts to switch has shifted into a sharp reverse.
A month ago we heralded Windows 11's achievement in finally overtaking Windows 10 after years of frustration. It did seem that the flip would continue all the way through to the 250 million or so PCs ineligible for the upgrade. But that's not to be.
As I warned might happen, this free ESU u-turn has triggered a reversal in Windows 11's recent fortunes, at least according to Statcounter's indicative data. And while it's still marginally head of its retiring sibling, Windows 11 is moving in the wrong direction. A free ESU is laudable, but it should have been limited to PCs that cannot upgrade.
Right now, it seems we may just have delayed a cliff edge, meaning we all get to go again next summer with the upgrade nags and cybersecurity warnings. We will know more over the coming weeks, but Windows 10 could be about to reclaim its crown.
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