Microsoft announced a few years ago that it would be ending its support for Windows 10. However, as the deadline approached, Microsoft recently announced an update called “Extended Security Updates,” which will give users an extra year to ensure continued security maintenance of their devices. Some users can even subscribe to this extended service for free.
Extend the update for a year to let the old machine last a little longer
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According to a Microsoft announcement, Windows 10 will remain available after October 14, but will no longer benefit from pre-installed security updates or vulnerability patches, making the system increasingly vulnerable to malicious attacks. To address this, Microsoft is offering “Extended Security Updates,” which will provide an additional year of security updates, giving businesses and individuals more time to prepare before upgrading to Windows 11.
Initially, this extended updates service required an annual subscription of around $30 per device, but Microsoft now offers a free tier in some markets (like the US). Users simply go to the “Update & Security” page in system settings and click “Join Now” to join the “Extended Security Updates” update plan. Once the subscription ends, they will be able to continue receiving security updates until October 2026.
The free plan has conditions: link a Microsoft cloud account
However, this “free extension” is not completely unconditional. To benefit from the extended security updates, users must have a Microsoft account associated with their system and enable OneDrive cloud backup. This means that users who previously chose to go offline or not use cloud services will now have to integrate into Microsoft’s cloud ecosystem.
Additionally, OneDrive’s free storage capacity is only 5 GB. If the backup exceeds this limit, additional storage fees will be charged. Users can close certain folders (such as “Documents”, “Pictures” and “Videos”) in Settings to keep backup capacity within the free quota.
Why not just upgrade to Windows 11?
For devices meeting hardware specifications, Microsoft still recommends a direct upgrade to Windows 11 to ensure continued access to long-term technical support and the latest AI features. However, because many older computers do not pass built-in TPM 2.0 security tests or CPU compatibility, many users choose to stick with Windows 10 for the time being.
For these individuals, Extended Security Updates provide a transitional solution that does not require immediate device replacement, allowing them to maintain system security. Although this is only a short-term solution, it will at least buy back hundreds of millions of Windows 10 devices that are still operational for another year before the transition to the AI PC generation.
Conclusion: Microsoft’s “life-extending drug”
Windows 10, released in 2015, is celebrating its tenth anniversary and remains one of the most popular operating systems in the world. As it nears its end of life, Microsoft has chosen to offer a grace period in the form of extended security updates. This move is not only in line with its security responsibilities, but also reflects the company’s strategic pace to develop the next generation of Windows 11. It also highlights that the era of Windows 10 is truly coming to an end.
