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Microsoft's extended security updates (ESU) for Windows 10 will be absolutely free for users in the European Economic Area (EEA). The move comes after consumer advocacy groups criticized Microsoft for trying to benefit from the extended support program financially, Windows Central reports.
Windows 10 will reach the end of support on Oct. 14, but many users will be forced to stay on the aging software because their PCs don't meet the hardware requirements for Windows 11. Knowing this, Microsoft launched the ESU program to provide Windows 10 users with one year of security updates after the official support ends.
To get the extension and stay on Windows 10, users need to choose from one of three options: they can cash in 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points, sync their Windows Backup to Microsoft OneDrive, or pay an upfront fee of $30.
While the first two options may seem free, they are closely tied to Microsoft's own services. The backup option might also push some users to purchase extra OneDrive storage since, by default, only 5GB is free.
These conditions didn't sit well with consumer advocacy group Euroconsumers. The group raised its concerns with Microsoft, which it felt was violating the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA). "Linking access to essential security updates to engagement with Microsoft's own services raised reasonable doubt of compliance with obligations under Article 6(6) of the DMA," it says.
In response to the group's concerns, Microsoft has decided to make the extended security updates for Windows 10 completely free in the European Economic Area (EEA): no reward points or backups required.
"We are pleased to learn that Microsoft will provide a no-cost Extended Security Updates (ESU) option for Windows 10 consumer users in the European Economic Area (EEA)," Euroconsumers writes in an email addressed to Microsoft. "We are also glad this option will not require users to back up settings, apps, or credentials, or use Microsoft Rewards."
While rolling out the ESU program, Microsoft said Windows 10 users would be required to sign up for it through an enrollment wizard found in Settings and notifications. Although the conditions that follow have been removed for European users, they may still be required to sign up for the program manually. Users elsewhere, for now, will have to go ahead under the original conditions.