Microsoft Offers Free Extended Security Updates for Windows 10 in Europe
Microsoft has revised its policy for European customers to access Extended Security Updates (ESU) for Windows 10. Following criticism, the company has removed financial and data requirements, now offering ESU for free to those with a Microsoft account.
Previously, Microsoft charged private users $30 (€25.70) for ESU. Now, users in the European Economic Area, including countries like Germany, France, Italy, and Norway, can receive free updates until October 2026 by simply linking their Windows installation to a Microsoft account.
This change applies to both new and existing users. A local user account is no longer sufficient. Users have until October 14, 2026, to make the switch, a year longer than initially planned. However, upgrading to Windows 11 may not be feasible for all, as it often requires a new PC with specific hardware like a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) chip.
With this change, Microsoft aims to improve security for European Windows 10 users. Those who fail to switch to a Microsoft account or upgrade to Windows 11 risk unpatched security vulnerabilities after the end of support. According to Statcounter, as of September, 45 percent of private computers in Austria still run Windows 10.
