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Introduction:
With Windows 10’s official end-of-support date looming in October 2025, millions of users are scrambling for solutions. Microsoft, facing intense backlash and lagging consumer hardware upgrades, has quietly opened up new ways to continue receiving security updates — for free. In a strategic shift, the tech giant is offering cost-free Extended Security Updates (ESU) to eligible users who are willing to engage with certain Microsoft services. This article outlines the key options, who qualifies, and why this pivot represents more than just a change in licensing—it’s a clear signal that Microsoft knows Windows 10 isn’t going away quietly.
the Original
Microsoft will officially end support for Windows 10 in October 2025, but realizing that many consumers aren’t ready to upgrade—or pay \$30 for ESU—Microsoft is now offering two free alternatives. By either using the Windows Backup cloud service or earning 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points through Bing searches and quizzes, users can get a one-year ESU subscription at no cost.
These new options are part of a broader announcement that quietly appeared on the Windows Blog at the end of June, just ahead of Microsoft’s fiscal year-end. This free ESU coverage runs from October 15, 2025, through October 13, 2026. A user can apply this subscription to up to 10 personal PCs using a Microsoft account.
However, not everyone qualifies. Enterprise and Education versions are excluded, as are devices managed by organizations (via Active Directory or MDM software like Intune). Eligible PCs must run Windows 10 version 22H2 (Home, Pro, Pro Education, or Workstation) and be updated to the latest patch.
The enrollment process is simple: go to Settings > Windows Update and click “Enroll now.” If you already used Windows Backup or are logged into a Microsoft account, you’ll likely breeze through. If not, you’ll have to either sync data to the cloud, use Rewards points, or pay the fee.
There’s a catch—Windows Backup also uploads personal files to OneDrive, and the free 5GB might not be enough. If you exceed that, you may need a paid OneDrive or Microsoft 365 subscription. Earning Microsoft Rewards is another option, achievable by using Bing and completing quizzes and tasks.
These free ESU options are only for personal use, and Microsoft has taken steps to block business users from taking advantage. The announcement marks a notable concession from Microsoft, subtly acknowledging that a massive share of users won’t be ready for Windows 11 by the cutoff date.
What Undercode Say:
Microsoft’s shift to offering free Windows 10 security updates is not just a technical or financial decision—it’s a reflection of deep systemic friction between consumer reality and corporate ambition.
For years, Microsoft has pushed Windows 11 as the future, but many users simply aren’t ready—or able—to transition. Hardware incompatibility, cost of upgrading, and the absence of compelling incentives have left hundreds of millions clinging to Windows 10. Microsoft initially assumed this segment would either upgrade or pay the \$30 ESU fee. That didn’t happen.
Instead of risking massive bad press when millions of consumers lose security coverage in 2025, Microsoft is cleverly repositioning the ESU plan. By tying free access to its own ecosystem—Bing, Rewards, OneDrive—it gets users more embedded in its services. This is a strategic long game: Microsoft isn’t just giving away ESU, it’s exchanging it for attention, behavior, and data.
The eligibility exclusions for enterprise customers are deliberate. By blocking domain-joined and MDM-managed PCs, Microsoft ensures businesses can’t skirt licensing fees. The irony? Many small businesses using unmanaged PCs can still benefit from the “personal use” loophole.
As for the Bing-based method—earning 1,000 points through daily search activity—it’s clever, mildly invasive, and surprisingly effective. Microsoft’s integration of gamification (quizzes, polls) reflects a growing trend in tech: turning user engagement into currency.
Technically, syncing with Windows Backup is the simplest route—but the OneDrive caveat is significant. With just 5GB of free space, users with large backups may find themselves inadvertently roped into a paid Microsoft 365 subscription.
There’s also a subtle strategic angle here: by extending the ESU grace period, Microsoft gets an extra year to push lagging users toward Windows 11 or Windows 365 Cloud PCs, both of which better fit their future subscription-first vision.
isn’t a gesture of goodwill—it’s a shrewd play to delay the consumer backlash while keeping users within the Microsoft orbit. But for those not ready to migrate, this one-year reprieve could be critical.
🔍 Fact Checker Results:
✅ Microsoft will end free support for Windows 10 in October 2025.
✅ Free ESU can be obtained via Bing Rewards or Windows Backup sync.
❌ Enterprise users are not eligible for free ESU (must pay starting at \$61/device).
📊 Prediction:
By mid-2026, we predict that over 100 million Windows 10 devices will still be in active use, forcing Microsoft to consider extending ESU or offering new consumer-focused cloud solutions. Meanwhile, Windows 11 adoption will remain slow in lower-income regions and among older hardware users. Microsoft’s reliance on ecosystem entrenchment tactics—like tying services to Bing, OneDrive, and Rewards—will expand across other products, signaling a broader pivot toward engagement-based licensing strategies.
References:
Reported By: www.zdnet.com
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