Microsoft has unveiled new options for users in the US and Europe to extend the life of the Windows 10 operating system at no charge, just ahead of the planned end of support on October 14. The announcement comes as the tech giant faces criticism and concerns from users and consumer advocacy groups worried about needing to purchase new computers to maintain cybersecurity.
In addressing user concerns, Microsoft offers European customers an additional year of essential security updates at no cost if they log in using a Microsoft account. Previously, a similar extension was only available for a fee of $30 for users whose hardware didn’t support the transition to Windows 11.
In the US, users can now upload their Windows 10 profiles to Microsoft’s backup service to receive up to a year of free security updates. Alternatively, they may choose to pay $30 for the extension or use 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points to obtain the updates.
European consumer advocacy groups continue to push for longer-term solutions. The French group Halte à l’Obsolescence Programmée (HOP) initiated a petition for free updates through 2030, while Germany’s Verbraucherzentrale consumer federation has warned that Microsoft’s strategy limits consumer options and causes worry.
Despite the impending deadline, a significant number of people—around 650 million users globally according to Consumer Reports as of August—remain on Windows 10. These newly offered options by Microsoft may serve to ease the transition for those users concerned about security and obsolescence as they consider their options moving forward.
This move by Microsoft can be seen as an effort to balance the company’s security and support strategies with the immediate needs and concerns of its extensive user base, potentially providing users with more time and flexibility in making informed decisions regarding operating system upgrades.