You can still get free Windows 10 security patches - here's how until October 2026

Don't want to fork over $30 to keep receiving Windows 10 security updates? Microsoft offers a couple of ways to avoid the fee, but customers in Europe get the best deal.

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ZDNET's key takeaways

• Windows 10 PCs can receive free security updates until October 2026.
• To qualify for free personal updates, enroll with a Microsoft account.
• Customers in any of the 30 EEA countries automatically qualify.

This month's Windows updates will be delivered automatically on Patch Tuesday, November 11. Unless you have a PC running Windows 10, that is. Support for that operating system has officially ended, and any PC running Windows 10 with its default settings will no longer receive those critical monthly security updates from the Windows Update servers.

But don't start shopping for a replacement PC just ...