Microsoft Extends Free Windows 10 Security Updates Ahead of October 14 Deadline

Microsoft has unveiled a last-minute lifeline for Windows 10 users in the US and Europe, offering a free option to continue receiving essential security updates just days before official support ends on October 14. The move comes as concerns grow among millions of users who worry that upgrading to Windows 11 may require costly new hardware.

The tech giant’s decision addresses growing criticism from consumer advocacy groups and users who fear increased exposure to cyber threats. Those who are unable—or choose not—to upgrade face heightened vulnerability to malware and other online attacks once support officially ends.

In Europe, Microsoft announced that users who log in with a Microsoft account can access one year of free security updates. Previously, this extension came at a cost of $30 for devices incompatible with Windows 11. The US will see a similar free option, allowing users to back up their Windows 10 profiles to Microsoft’s cloud and continue receiving updates for up to a year.

For American users who prefer alternatives, Microsoft offers the extension for $30 or the option to redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points earned from its platforms. In Europe, advocacy groups have pressed for longer concessions, with French group Halte à l’Obsolescence Programmée (HOP) petitioning for free updates through 2030 and Germany’s Verbraucherzentrale warning that the end of Windows 10 support could limit consumer choice.

Despite the push to upgrade, Windows 10 remains widely used. Consumer Reports estimates that as of August, around 650 million people worldwide still rely on the aging operating system. Microsoft’s free security updates may give users crucial breathing room to transition safely to newer platforms without immediate financial pressure.

source: The guardian