Microsoft has made its Extended Security Updates (ESU) free for certain markets in Europe as Windows 10 approaches its end of support on October 14th, 2025.
- Windows 10 end of support on October 14th.
- Microsoft offers free Extended Security Updates in Europe.
- Euroconsumers group pressured Microsoft for changes.
- Consumers no longer need to enable Windows Backup.
- Extended Security Updates last until October 13th, 2026.
- Businesses can purchase up to three years of updates.
Customers in the European Economic Area will no longer need to turn on Windows Backup to enroll in the ESU program, a change influenced by the Euroconsumers group.
The Euroconsumers group successfully advocated for this change, stating that users will not need to back up settings, apps, or credentials, or use Microsoft Rewards to access the updates.
“We are pleased to learn that Microsoft will provide a no-cost Extended Security Updates (ESU) option for Windows 10 consumer users in the European Economic Area (EEA),”
— Euroconsumers group
Originally reported by www.theverge.com as “Microsoft forced to make Windows 10 extended security updates truly free in Europe” on 2025-09-25 15:36:00.
