Windows 10 Extended Security Updates are Now Truly Free for EU Consumers

For Europeon Economic Area, enrollment in Windows 10 ESU is now entirely free and does not require enabling PC cloud backup.

Microsoft's ESU enrollment window for worldwide users. Image: Microsoft

Are you a Windows 10 user feeling a bit anxious about your system's security? With the official Windows 10 support deadline just a couple of weeks away, your concern is completely understandable. The good news is that Microsoft has made a significant policy change: the Extended Security Update (ESU) program is now completely free for EU users. If you are among the EU consumers, you can breathe a sigh of relief—there is no longer a hidden condition, such as mandatory cloud backup, required to enroll in the ESU program for the first year.

Microsoft's Shift: Free ESU Access for EU Users

As the October 14, 2025, deadline for Windows 10 end-of-support rapidly approaches, Microsoft has unexpectedly allowed EU users to enroll in the ESU program without the backup requirement that remains mandatory for consumers in the rest of the world.

This pivotal decision by Microsoft comes following substantial pressure from various EU consumers groups, collectively operating under the European Economic Area (EEA) umbrella. These consumer advocacy groups had been actively urging the tech giant to provide a fair solution for the millions of consumers still running Windows 10 as the critical deadline neared.

Consequently, EU consumers can now seamlessly enroll in the one-year ESU program at no cost and, importantly, without needing to enable the potentially costly cloud backup feature. This move ensures continued access to critical security updates for their devices.

The Digital Markets Act and Consumer Protection

The collective European consumer group formally announced this victory in a letter stating:

“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). We are also glad this option will not require users to back up settings, apps, or credentials, or use Microsoft Rewards.”

They further clarified the core reason behind their demand:

“This was our main Digital Markets Act (DMA) related concern, as linking access to essential security updates to engagement with Microsoft's own services raised reasonable doubt of compliance with obligations under Article 6(6) of the DMA.”

Why the Backup Requirement Was Challenged

Why did the European Economic Area groups object to the requirement of enabling cloud backup? The "catch" was rooted in storage limitations. All users are only provided with a limited amount of free OneDrive storage—5 GB, to be exact. Given that the typical amount of data on a user's system, including documents and other files, often exceeds this capacity, the mandatory backup essentially compelled many to purchase additional cloud storage. By requiring this backup, Microsoft was, in essence, creating a paid avenue for accessing security updates. The consumer group's demand was thus simple: provide free access to these updates without forcing the purchase of additional services.

For EU users, the process is straightforward: you only need to sign in with your Microsoft account. To keep your ESU program active, you should log in at least once every 60 days. Failure to do so will result in your device being dropped from the ESU program.

As confirmed by the official Microsoft French website FAQ:

“If you do not continue to sign in to your PC with your Microsoft account, ESU updates will stop for your device after a period of time, up to 60 days.”

What This Means for the Rest of the World

While this is excellent news for EU consumers, this exclusive offer unfortunately does not extend to the rest of the world. Users outside the EEA are still required to choose one of the following options to receive the one year of Windows 10 security updates:

• Enable the mandatory cloud backup to enroll in the ESU program.
• Pay $30 for one year of Extended Security Updates.
• Redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points for the one-year ESU program support.

This is indeed a disappointing development for many users globally who are still working through their transition plans on their dependable Windows 10 systems. While we keep our fingers crossed, it appears unlikely that this "no-catch" free support will be extended to worldwide users in the near future.

It's also worth noting that the ESU support grants one year of updates for consumers. However, for business users, the option to purchase up to a three-year ESU plan remains available.