- Microsoft has changed opinion on extended updates for Windows 10
- The free offer no longer requires you to sync your PC settings to OneDrive
- However, this is only the case for those in the European Economic Area
Microsoft removes any strings associated with the offer of extended security updates to those who want to stick to Windows 10 in addition to its official deadline for the end of life – but only for people in certain countries.
Windows Central reports that Microsoft is changing the rules for the free update year – which expands support to Windows 10 from October 2025 to October 2026 – for those in the European Economic Area (EEA).
These people will be able to sign up for extended security updates via the Windows Update panel without any catch. In other words, they do not need a Microsoft account and use the Windows Backup app to sync their PC settings for OneDrive, which is the most important catch currently used for the free update year.
For the rest of the world outside Europe, however, this will remain the condition associated with the Extended Support Updates (ESU) program. (Although there are two other options that none of them are so attractive to most people – paying $ 30 or spending 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points).
Microsoft told Windows Central: “In the European economic field, we make updates to the registration process to ensure it meets local expectations and delivers a secure, streamlined experience. Our goal is to support customers and give them opportunities when passing on to Windows 11, with uninterrupted access to critical security updates.”
Analysis: Two layers of Windows users?
You probably know what I want to say here and it is simply that Microsoft has to expand this offer to the rest of the world beyond the EEA. Remember ‘local expectations’ if you want to do this for a good portion of Windows 10 user base out there, Microsoft, do it for everyone.
What is really the driving force behind these European expectations are of course the data regulations in the region, namely the digital market law. Microsoft has had to take care of this legislation quite carefully, which has meant that Windows users in Europe have gained access to all kinds of extra goodies that other people else do not get – like the ability to remove the edge browser completely from us (and not be fooled to reinstall it, nor).
In my opinion, the ACT Digital Markets Act at this time is effectively creating a kind of two-layer system of Windows users. Some, in Europe, get better benefits over their privacy and are shielded from some of Microsoft’s more annoying arm-twisting, and other places do not get any of these benefits and just have to suffer the different troublesome slings and arrows.
Does it seem right or fair? No. Am I too dramatic? Well, maybe. But it starts to feel something like a two-layer system, and if more steps are taken in this direction in the future-and I don’t see why they won’t be-yes, you get the idea.
Of course, I do not expect Microsoft to change its attitude towards the edge of the whole world or the different pieces around using its services provided by Windows 11 because all that behavior is too ingrained at this time. But when it comes to this fresh feature, I think it’s a bad form of Microsoft to force some people to sync settings to get expanded updates while letting others slip. Even if you do not sync all of your PC’s data to OneDrive, I need to clarify, just your PC settings.
Still, what Microsoft really Need to do here is to offer two years of extra free support in my book – I don’t think you are enough that I have discussed in the past, and more breathing room is justified because of Windows 11’s exceptionally stressful system requirements.
Maybe this, however, is an area Microsoft will visit next year. It is possible and I remain hopeful, especially with different consumer rights groups that exert pressure on the software giant.
