Microsoft has confirmed a surprising shift in its Windows 10 end-of-life plan. The company will now give users in the European Economic Area (EEA) free access to Extended Security Updates (ESUs) until October 14, 2026.
This change means millions of people in Europe can still safely run Windows 10 for another year without paying extra fees.
Microsoft told Windows Central that the goal was “to support customers and provide more options as they move to Windows 11.”
Why Microsoft is making this change
Consumer defense groups had accused Microsoft of locking important security behind conditions that served the company, not users. The Brussels-based group Euroconsumers used the EU’s Digital Markets Act to challenge the policy.
The EEA includes 30 countries, such as Germany, France, Italy, and Spain. Users in these countries will benefit from the free updates.
Outside Europe, the story is different. Users in the U.S., Africa, and Asia must still pay around $30, or exchange 1,000 Microsoft Reward Points, to stay protected.
They can also back up their PCs through a Microsoft account linked to OneDrive.
Analysts say Microsoft may expand this free program if more regulators or consumer groups apply pressure. Until then, the decision shows how Europe’s strict digital market rules continue to influence big tech companies globally.
Would you pay for Windows 10 updates after 2025, or do you plan to switch to Windows 11 before the deadline?
See Microsoft’s official Windows 10 lifecycle page
Read the EU Digital Markets Act
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