- The EU gets an extra year of free ESU for Windows 10 until October 2026.
- Requirements: Windows 10 22H2, up-to-date patches, and an active Microsoft account every 60 days.
- In the EEA, you don't need to pay or use OneDrive; outside the EEA, you need to pay, Rewards, or Windows Backup.
With Windows 10 support set to end on October 14, 2025 , millions of PCs in Spain and the rest of the European Economic Area (EEA) would be vulnerable if they don't receive patches. Not everyone can or wants to upgrade to Windows 11 due to hardware requirements, so attention has focused on the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program.
Following pressure from European consumer organizations, Microsoft has agreed to a truly favorable solution for our region: an extra year of free security updates for EU/EEA residents. The scheme is simple and avoids payments or cloud-related tricks, but it does come with conditions that are worth knowing to avoid losing out on the benefit.
Why it's free in Europe and what's different about it compared to the rest of the world?
European consumer associations, such as Euroconsumers and OCU , invoked the Digital Markets Act (DMA) to prevent millions of users from being forced to buy new equipment or subscribe to extra services. Microsoft confirmed that in the EEA there will be a free Enterprise Security Update (ESU) option until October 13, 2026 , extending the Windows 10 security cycle by one year in our region.
This shift contrasts with the situation outside of Europe. In regions like the United States, the original options remain: paying a fee ($30) , redeeming 1.000 Microsoft Rewards points , or enabling cloud backup via Windows Backup . In Europe, however, syncing with OneDrive and making payments are no longer mandatory , a change that avoids potential additional costs if the 5 GB of free cloud storage is exceeded.
The key to the EEA is your Microsoft account: simply having an account linked to your system grants you access to that extra year. However, Microsoft has set an activity requirement: you must log in at least once every 60 days . Failure to do so may result in your computer being dropped from the program and no longer receiving extended patches.
Several tech news outlets also reported that Microsoft is adjusting the EEA registration process to meet local expectations and provide a secure experience. This should result in a simpler flow from Windows Update, eliminating unnecessary steps that previously caused confusion.
One important distinction: some articles indicated that updates in Europe would continue to arrive automatically without any special action, while others warned of the requirement for regular account use. The way to reconcile these two messages is clear: there's no need to pay or use the cloud , but to keep the ESU license active, the account must be validated every 60 days as proof that the device remains in the hands of a legitimate user.
Requirements and how to activate the free ESU in the EEA
First, make sure your PC meets the requirements Microsoft has outlined for the Windows 10 Home program. Check these points and get everything ready as soon as possible to avoid any last-minute problems.
- Windows 10 version 22H2 in Home, Pro, Pro Education or Workstation editions.
- Have the latest cumulative patch installed of Windows 10.
- Using an administrator account on the PC; the ESU license is associated with that Microsoft account.
- The Microsoft account cannot be a child account. (under-age).
If you meet the above requirements, in the coming days or weeks you should see a link to enroll in the Extended Security Updates program in Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update . In the EEA, enrollment is free and doesn't require Windows Backup or Rewards points. Even so, it's a good idea to do it as soon as possible , as some sources recommend being ready before the official end of support on October 14, 2025, "just in case."
To keep your Extended Software Update (ESU) active for the full year, Microsoft requires you to log in to your account at least every 60 days . Be careful about "activating once" and then switching back to a local account: switching to a local account can count as a sign-out , and if the system detects inactivity for more than 60 days, extended updates will be suspended . Some sources indicate you might be able to re-enroll, while others warn that you could lose the free subscription ; in any case, it's wise to keep your account active.
The home program in the EEA runs until October 13, 2026. After that date, Microsoft has not guaranteed another free year for individuals. Therefore, this period serves as a buffer for deciding whether to upgrade to Windows 11, replace incompatible hardware, or explore software alternatives.
Keep in mind that the ESU provides security patches and critical fixes , but it doesn't add new features. Features and experience improvements will continue to be added to Windows 11 (and future versions of Windows), while Windows 10 remains under security maintenance for that additional year.
What happens if you don't qualify or live outside the EEA?
If your computer can't install Windows 11 due to TPM 2.0 or CPU instruction requirements, check out how to find out which drivers are installed on your PC . There are several ways to extend your PC's lifespan. Some of these also apply if you live outside the EEA and prefer to continue using Windows 10 with some level of protection.
One option is to use modified installations that ease the Windows 11 requirements on older computers. Projects like Tiny11 and tools like Flyoobe or NTLite help circumvent the limitations of TPM 2.0, mandatory login, and bloatware. They can also improve performance by removing unnecessary components, but you should use them with caution and at your own risk.
Another solid alternative is to switch to Linux . There are distributions with a look and feel similar to Windows, and others with fresher environments if you'd like to try something different. For a computer that can no longer be upgraded to Windows 11, Linux can be a breath of fresh air: up-to-date software, frequent patches, and the satisfaction of knowing that the "penguin world" is more user-friendly than it seems.
There are also third-party solutions like 0patch , which promises to provide security patches for Windows 10 until 2030. And if you manage professional environments, you can consider editions like Windows LTSC or purchase the Enterprise Windows Service Unit (ESU), which, according to public documentation, starts at $61 for the first year and can be extended to three years, with the price increasing each year . For home users outside the EEA, there's the annual paid ESU, redeeming 1.000 Rewards points , or activating Windows Backup.
In non-European countries, Microsoft maintains the option to pay $30 for an additional year , or to take advantage of the previously announced free alternatives (Windows Backup or Rewards). Those who continue using Windows 10 without either of these options risk not receiving security patches after the end of support, with the associated risks.
Why does all this matter? According to estimates cited by various media outlets, there are still hundreds of millions of users on Windows 10 (more than 650 million were reported), and 22% of them are running it on computers from 2017 or earlier, unable to upgrade to Windows 11 due to its requirements. Extending a year of free security in the EEA prevents premature obsolescence and reduces the pressure to buy.
In the media, there were even hints and jokes about "bringing back Windows 10," reflecting the enormous user base that refuses to abandon it. But beyond the anecdotal, the European policy represents a fundamental change: an extra year without cloud tolls or payments , with the sole condition of using your Microsoft account regularly.
Important for your planning: the ESU only offers security and stability , not new features. If you're interested in recent features, built-in AI, or gaming improvements that some expect to see implemented in the next generation (yes, some are already eagerly anticipating what many are calling "Windows 12"), the best course of action is to migrate to Windows 11 when your computer allows it.
If you're unsure about the timeline, consider two key dates: October 14, 2025 , the end of mainstream support, and October 13, 2026 , the end of the free ESU year in the EEA. In between, keep your system up to date (22H2, cumulative patches) and your Microsoft account active. Log in at least every 60 days to avoid having extended support updates suspended.
Finally, remember that some articles warned that if you switch to a local account after activating ESU, the system may treat it as a sign-out, and if you don't sign back in online within 60 days, you'll lose access to updates. While some sources suggest the option to re-enroll, others indicate that you might lose access to the free version. The most sensible recommendation is to keep your Microsoft account linked and sign in regularly.
With all this clear, the situation becomes much simpler: in the EU, you get an extra year of patches without paying or uploading your backups to the cloud; outside the EU, you have to pay, redeem points, or use Windows Backup . And if your hardware isn't up to Windows 11, you still have options to get the most out of your PC with reasonable safety, whether with Linux distributions , projects like Tiny11 , or third-party patches like 0patch . Brussels' move has given Windows 10 one last life in Europe; now it's up to you to decide how to take advantage of it.
