Europe pushes Microsoft to give Windows 10 users free extra support

Windows 10 is nearing its end

Microsoft had long warned that Windows 10 support would end on October 14, 2025. After that date, the company planned to stop providing regular security fixes for the operating system.

Millions of people, however, still rely on Windows 10 every day, making its retirement a considerable concern.

Microsoft has long encouraged users to upgrade to Windows 11, but strict system requirements (such as TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot) and the financial burden of replacing incompatible hardware have made that switch impossible for many.

Microsoft offered a pricey escape

Initially, Microsoft gave Windows 10 users a way to keep updates, but at a price. They could pay $30 for an extra year of Extended Security Updates.

That might not sound like much, but when multiplied across millions of PCs, it becomes a significant expense.

Some critics argued this showed Microsoft was putting profits ahead of customer protection. Critics warned this could leave everyday consumers behind.

Free options came with strings

For those who didn’t want to pay the fee, Microsoft dangled so-called “free” options. Users could either enable Windows Backup, which synced data to OneDrive, or redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points.

On the surface, these seemed harmless. However, enabling Backup prompted users to migrate toward Microsoft’s cloud services, often exceeding the free 5GB storage limit.

That meant some would end up paying for extra OneDrive space anyway. Advocacy groups saw this as a sneaky way of tying updates to Microsoft’s other products.

Europe called foul on the plan

That’s when Euroconsumers, a coalition of consumer rights groups based in Brussels and Luxembourg, stepped in. They argued that Microsoft’s update policy violated the European Union’s Digital Markets Act, adopted in 2022.

The law prevents “gatekeeper” companies from forcing people to use additional services to access essential features.

In this case, making updates conditional on cloud backups or rewards appeared to be precisely that kind of practice. Euroconsumers demanded changes, saying consumers deserved better.

Microsoft backtracked under pressure

Microsoft didn’t take long to respond. Facing legal heat from the EU, the company announced changes for people in the European Economic Area. That region encompasses most of Western Europe, excluding the UK.

Windows 10 users will now receive Extended Security Updates completely free of charge through October 2026. No payments, no rewards points, and no forced cloud backups.

It’s a sharp reversal from Microsoft’s original plan, demonstrating how intense regulatory pressure can significantly influence corporate decisions.

The new rules are clear

With the change, European Windows 10 users no longer need to sync files, buy storage, or hand over reward points. Instead, they only have to log in with a Microsoft account every 60 days to keep updates flowing.

That requirement ensures the company can still track active devices, but it’s a far lighter condition than before. For users already signed into Windows with a Microsoft account, the transition will be practically seamless.

UK users miss out on the deal

One of the big surprises is that the UK isn’t covered. Since Brexit, the country is no longer part of the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA).

That means British Windows 10 users will still face the original hurdles. They’ll need to either pay the $30 fee, use Backup, or trade in rewards points.

Critics in the UK argue that it’s unfair that neighbors across the Channel are receiving free protection, while they’re left footing the bill.

Euroconsumers is not done yet

While the group celebrated Microsoft’s concession of a free update, they aren’t satisfied. They argue that limiting updates to just one year isn’t enough.

Many users argue their machines are still perfectly functional but don’t meet the rigid hardware requirements for Windows 11. Ending support in 2026 would render those devices obsolete despite their utility.

Euroconsumers is pushing for Microsoft to extend support even longer, aligning with Europe’s sustainability goals and reducing electronic waste.

The numbers are staggering

Industry estimates suggest more than 850 million active devices still run Windows 10. A significant portion of those machines can’t move to Windows 11 because they lack hardware features, such as Trusted Platform Module 2.0.

For many families, small businesses, and schools, replacing computers just to meet new requirements is too costly.

Critics argue that by setting the cutoff date so soon, Microsoft is forcing unnecessary upgrades and leaving older devices vulnerable to cyberattacks.

Windows 10 still dominates

Even with Windows 11 on the market for years, Windows 10 continues to hold a massive share of the PC world. Analysts say nearly half of all Windows users are still on version 10.

The hesitation to upgrade is partly due to cost and partly because many find Windows 10 reliable enough.

That makes the end of support a bigger issue than in past transitions. Hundreds of millions of people still rely on Windows 10 daily, making its upcoming support cutoff a major concern.

Microsoft is walking a fine line

On the one hand, Microsoft aims to encourage users to upgrade to Windows 11, which it views as the future of its operating system.

On the other hand, cutting off support for so many people risks bad press and customer frustration. The company has already extended Windows 10’s life once before, and now the European exception adds more pressure.

Some industry watchers believe Microsoft may eventually cave again, especially if a considerable number of users still haven’t switched by 2026.

Security is the biggest worry

The entire debate centers around one thing: security. Without updates, Windows 10 machines are more vulnerable to viruses, malware, and online scams.

Hackers love targeting older operating systems because they know holes won’t be patched. For businesses, schools, and even hospitals that are still running Windows 10, this could mean serious risks.

Extended Security Updates are designed to plug those holes for a limited time, buying users a little more breathing room before they must move on.

Businesses face even higher costs

While European consumers are now covered, businesses don’t get the same free deal. Organizations that continue using Windows 10 past October 2025 will be required to pay for updates.

And the cost isn’t small, it rises each year for up to three years. Analysts estimate that companies could collectively spend billions just to keep using older PCs.

For large enterprises with thousands of machines, that’s a massive bill, pushing many to accelerate upgrades despite the expense.

The Digital Markets Act makes waves

This showdown highlights the impact of the European Union’s Digital Markets Act, which was passed in 2022. The law targets big tech companies labeled as “gatekeepers” and stops them from abusing their dominance.

In Microsoft’s case, requiring users to turn on Backup or redeem rewards for security updates crossed a line.

Euroconsumers used the law to argue that security fixes are essential and shouldn’t be tied to unrelated services. Their victory could set the tone for future tech disputes.

Microsoft’s strategy still benefits itself

Even though updates are free in Europe, Microsoft found a way to keep users linked to its ecosystem. Requiring sign-ins every 60 days encourages people to use Microsoft accounts instead of local ones.

That ties them more closely to services like OneDrive, Outlook, and Teams. For Microsoft, that’s still a win. However, for consumers, the burden is far lighter than paying fees or syncing backups, making it feel like a fairer compromise.

If you’d rather trim down distractions on your PC, here’s a quick guide on how to entirely remove the Windows 11 widgets panel.

The future of Windows 10 is uncertain

What happens after October 2026 is the big question. For now, consumers in Europe have two more years of safety. However, businesses will pay heavily, and everyone else around the world will face extra hoops.

Microsoft may extend the deadline again if too many users refuse to move, just as it did with Windows XP years ago.

Until then, the debate shows how software updates are no longer just technical details; they’re battles over power, profit, and consumer rights.

Want to see how Microsoft is reshaping Windows for the AI era? Please take a look at how the company has reunited its teams to supercharge that push.

What do you think about Europe putting pressure on Microsoft to provide additional services for Windows? Please share your thoughts and drop a comment.

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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.