Free Windows 10 extended updates? Microsoft says yes for now
Microsoft is temporarily offering free security updates for Windows 10 users ahead of its official end-of-support deadline on October 14, 2025. This offer will serve as an alternative to the previously announced $30 annual fee which the company announced last year for Extended Security Updates (ESU). However, the free update comes with a condition: To get the extended updates for free users must enable Windows Backup, which uses OneDrive cloud storage.advertisementCloud syncing on OneDrive offers users storage for personal files. Every Microsoft account includes 5GB of free OneDrive storage. However, if you need more space for larger local file collections, you may need to purchase additional storage. OneDrive plans start at $1.99 per month for 100GB. In India, this is priced at Rs 140 per month or Rs 1,400 per year. While the subscription is cheaper than the $30 ESU fee, it is still an additional cost.How to enrol for free Windows 10 extended updatesStarting July 2025—Microsoft will include a built-in enrolment wizard in Windows 10 for the ESU programme. It will give users three options to continue receiving security updates through 13 October 2026. This includes
– Enable Windows Backup, syncing data to OneDrive (free)– Redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points for one year of updates– Pay $30 directly for extended security coverageadvertisementThis enrolment process will also guide users through setup and automatically enrol eligible devices.The availability of this free security option aligns with the continued use of Windows 10. Despite Microsoft's continued efforts to push users towards the new Windows 11, Windows 10 is still one of the most-used versions of Microsoft's operating systems. It is reportedly running on over 53 per cent of PCs as of May 2025. This high usage has made the upcoming support cutoff a concern for many users who either cannot or do not intend to upgrade to newer hardware that supports Windows 11.Notably, the personal devices running on Windows 10 will stop receiving updates by October 2026. Meanwhile, business users will have the option to purchase up to three additional years of security support. Microsoft is also allowing free ESU access for Windows 10 devices that connect to Windows 365 Cloud PCs or virtual machines.Windows 10 was released in 2015. Now, after almost a decade, the OS is reaching the end of official support in October 2025. After that, devices not enroled in the ESU programme will stop receiving security updates. This will make them more vulnerable to cyber threats. Microsoft 365 apps will continue to receive security updates on Windows 10 through October 2028, but feature updates will stop by August 2026.- Ends
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