Microsoft Offers Free Windows 10 Security Updates in Europe

In a significant development for users of Windows 10, Microsoft has announced that it will provide Extended Security Updates (ESU) at no cost for a period of one year to private users within the European Economic Area (EEA), which includes EU member states along with Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein. This initiative is set to last until October 14, 2026, as confirmed in correspondence between a consumer organization and Microsoft.

Unlike the United States, where users are expected to pay $30 for the same update service, European consumers will have access to these vital security updates free of charge. Microsoft made this commitment to Euroconsumers, a consumer advocacy group that has been vocal about the company's previous practices regarding update access.

However, there is a stipulation: users must link their Windows 10 installations to a Microsoft account to receive these updates. Euroconsumers has expressed that this requirement is a positive step, as it aligns more closely with legal standards under the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and the lesser-known directive concerning certain contractual aspects of digital content and services. Previously, Microsoft had tied access to updates to additional data requirements, which raised concerns about compliance with EU laws.

Despite the progress made, Euroconsumers continues to criticize Microsoft for potentially enforcing unnecessary hardware requirements for Windows 11, which they argue could lead to planned obsolescence.

The recent changes mean that private users in Europe will not be forced to pay for necessary security updates, marking a clear distinction from the policy for businesses and commercial users, who will still incur costs to participate in the ESU program.

This favorable arrangement for consumers in the EEA may set a precedent for discussions regarding software updates and user rights in other parts of the world. The apparent advantage of EU legislation in this context is likely to be seen positively by policymakers in Brussels.

The Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) in Germany has welcomed the news of extended security update availability for Windows 10 users, stating that this provides additional time for users to transition to an operating system that will receive long-term support. Although specific statistics on Windows 10 users in Germany are unavailable, public data indicates that approximately half of the systems in the country still operate on this decade-old software.