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Microsoft's Free Lifeline for Windows 10 Users
24 Nov
Summary
- Windows 10 support ended, but free security updates are available until 2026.
- Extended Security Updates (ESU) require a Microsoft account for activation.
- European users in 30 EEA countries automatically qualify for free ESU.
Support for Windows 10 has officially ended, meaning PCs running this operating system no longer receive critical security updates by default. However, Microsoft is providing a way for users to continue receiving these essential updates through Extended Security Updates (ESU) until October 13, 2026.
For personal devices, this ESU subscription is available for free, provided users activate it via their Microsoft account. This allows one account to cover up to 10 PCs. A significant exception exists for users in the 30 countries of the European Economic Area (EEA), who will automatically qualify for these free updates without requiring a Microsoft account.
While enterprise customers must pay for commercial ESU subscriptions, this free option targets consumers and those with older PCs not compatible with Windows 11. It offers a temporary but vital security measure for the vast number of Windows 10 machines still in operation.
