Microsoft Extends Free Windows 10 Security Updates in Europe Following Regulatory Pressure Score another win for EU consumers. Microsoft has backtracked on its initial plan for Windows 10 Extended Security Updates, but only for users in the European Economic Area. The change comes after complaints from a consumer advocacy group highlighted potential conflicts with the European Union’s Digital Markets Act, a law designed to prevent anti-competitive practices like unlawful bundling. Had Microsoft not relented, it could have faced investigations and significant fines. A Microsoft spokesperson explained the decision, stating that in the European Economic Area, the company is updating the enrollment process to ensure it meets local expectations and provides a secure, streamlined experience. The goal, according to the spokesperson, is to support customers and provide options as they transition to Windows 11 while ensuring uninterrupted access to critical security updates. This situation began when Microsoft announced it would end mainstream support for Windows 10 in October 2025, after which only paid security updates would be available through the Extended Security Updates, or ESU, program. The company later introduced the ESU program, which allows consumers to pay 30 dollars for a one-year extension on security updates. Microsoft also offered two alternative free methods to qualify. One option requires users to enable Windows cloud backup using a Microsoft account, which relies on OneDrive. Since the free OneDrive tier only includes 5GB of storage, users backing up large amounts of data would likely need to pay for additional storage. The other free option involves spending 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points, a currency not all users have accumulated. In June, the advocacy organization Euroconsumers called out Microsofts approach. The nonprofit argued that limiting security updates effectively limits the product’s life, a practice known as planned obsolescence. This term describes the strategy of deliberately designing products with a limited lifespan to encourage more frequent purchases, a tactic that benefits manufacturers at an added cost to consumers. The use of this term could have drawn serious attention from EU regulators, as the Digital Markets Act empowers them to fine tech titans up to 10 percent of their global annual turnover for violations. Euroconsumers stated that Microsoft was forcing consumers into a difficult choice: either buy a new device before they are ready or continue using their current one and face increased security risks. The group highlighted that a significant portion of EU PC owners, 22 percent, are still using a Windows device from 2017 or earlier. These older machines often do not meet the technical requirements for Windows 11, making an upgrade impossible without purchasing entirely new hardware. While this policy change is a victory for PC users in the European Economic Area, who now receive an extra year of free security updates, the rest of the world must still adhere to the original terms. For those outside the EEA still running Windows 10, the deadline of October 14 remains. Before that date, users must choose to either upgrade to Windows 11, pay the 30 dollar fee for extended security updates, enable the Windows backup feature, or use Microsoft Rewards points. The decision highlights the growing influence of EU consumer protection regulations in shaping global tech policies, even if those changes are not applied universally.
