Microsoft extends free Windows 10 security updates into 2026 – with a catch

In brief: Microsoft plans to end support for Windows 10 this October despite its enduring popularity and the fact that hundreds of millions of usable PCs don't support Windows 11. The company recently introduced a new option for personal devices to receive another year of security updates, but it requires using OneDrive.

After Windows 10 reaches end-of-life status on October 14, users who enroll in Windows Backup will continue receiving security updates through October 13, 2026, at no extra cost. The service automatically uploads personal files to OneDrive, but storing more than 5GB requires a paid subscription.

This option registers users in Microsoft's Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, which was previously only available for enterprise devices. Personal devices can also be enrolled with a one-time payment of $30 or 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points.

Users can activate Windows Backup by searching for it in the taskbar search field ...