Overview

• Consumers in the European Economic Area will receive Windows 10 Extended Security Updates at no cost through October 14, 2026, without turning on Windows Backup or using Microsoft Rewards.
• Microsoft confirmed that a Microsoft account is still required in the EEA and that devices must authenticate at least once every 60 days or ESU access will be paused until re‑enrollment.
• Outside the EEA, the existing options remain in place: enable Windows Backup/OneDrive to qualify at no charge, pay about $30 for one year, or redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points.
• The EEA concession does not cover the UK, and Microsoft says it is updating enrollment in the region to meet local expectations, with rollout beginning in early October ahead of Windows 10’s October 14, 2025 end of support.
• Euroconsumers credited the shift to DMA concerns over tying security updates to Microsoft services and continues to press for longer consumer support given the large Windows 10 installed base and upgrade constraints.