Microsoft extends free Windows 10 security updates for EEA to 2026

Microsoft will continue providing security updates for Windows 10 users in the European Economic Area for an additional year at no charge, the company said, easing concerns as official support for the operating system ends next month. Microsoft plans to stop regular support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, but confirmed that consumer devices in the EEA will receive extended security updates through October 14, 2026, without the previous requirement to back up settings to Microsoft OneDrive. The company said EEA users must sign in with a Microsoft Account on the device at least once every 60 days to maintain updates.

The change follows pressure from consumer advocacy groups that argued earlier enrollment rules effectively pushed users toward paid services or cloud backups and could limit consumers ability to continue using older hardware. A Microsoft spokesperson said the company is "making updates to the enrollment process to ensure it meets local expectations and delivers a secure, streamlined experience." The company framed the move as support for customers transitioning to Windows 11 while ensuring access to critical security fixes.

Outside the EEA, Microsoft’s originally...