- Microsoft has revealed another shade of how the extra year of free updates for Windows 10 works
- It requires continuously to be enrolled in a Microsoft account
- This is to avoid anyone signing up for extended updates with a Microsoft account and then switches to a local account for the rest of the year
We have had a different development in the twist-and-turn-filled saga on expanded support for Windows 10, and a further revelation about how the offer of an extra year of free security updates works that may come as bad news for some.
Even the non-strand-affected offer that recently appeared for those living in Europe-Ee’s or Euroficed Exourice Area, Crecal-Higher, you sign up for a Microsoft account, and it seems that this applies more than just the initial registration for the expanded security update updates (ESU) scheme.
As reported by Windows latest, Microsoft has confirmed that people using the ESU program should not only be signed into a Microsoft account when taking the offer, but they will have to stay logged in that account at least once every 60 days.
Microsoft told the tech web site: “If your MSA [Microsoft account] Not used to log in for a period of up to 60 days, ESU updates will be disconnected and you will need to sign up by logging in using the same MSA. “
As you probably know now, Windows 10 is running out of support on October 14, 2025, and ESU is the only way you can probably stay on us and get security updates for October 2026.
Analysis: Nothing Local loophole – kind
What does it mean in practice? This measure is in place to stop those who want to get extended security updates for Windows 10 after October 2025 for free while using a local account with us. In other words, a Windows 10 installation not tied to a Microsoft account.
Some people may have thought that they could get ESU by logging in with a freshly created Microsoft account on their PC and then switching back to their local account and disregarding that Microsoft account essentially avoids this requirement.
However, it cannot be done, because as mentioned, Microsoft will check if you remain signed in the Microsoft account attached to the ESU registration.
Of course, you can sign up for ESU, switch to a local account and then sign up again two months later, then switch back to your local account, etc. However, it is a bit of a hassle and clearly wants Microsoft to discourage those who try to fudge their way around the requirement to have a Microsoft account for extended updates.
What is not clear is whether Microsoft will control users outside Europe to see if they stop syncing their PC settings to OneDrive, which is a requirement for anyone outside the EEA to get it free update offer. Those in the EEA are not subject to this provision because of the rules of this region – specifically the digital market law that has forced Microsoft to change its behavior significantly when it comes to some of the windows. (Note that earlier this week we also saw a tip that an important change Microsoft made about Edge and Bing in Europe, maybe just came to the rest of the world – which would be excellent news if that happens.)
It is also worth noting that even those who pay for expanded support-which cost $ 30 for the year, or equivalent in your local currency-have needed to have a Microsoft account (and are probably subject to the same two-monthly checks mentioned here).
