Microsoft has unveiled a significant detail regarding the extended support for Windows 10, particularly concerning the extra year of free security updates available to users. This initiative, which is especially relevant for those residing in the European Economic Area (EEA), comes with a stipulation that may not sit well with all users.
To qualify for the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, users must maintain an active Microsoft account. This requirement extends beyond the initial enrollment phase; users are obligated to remain logged into their Microsoft account at least once every 60 days. This measure aims to prevent individuals from signing up for the ESU using a Microsoft account and subsequently switching to a local account for the remainder of the year.
As Windows 10 approaches its end of support on October 14, 2025, the ESU program emerges as the sole avenue for users wishing to continue receiving security updates until October 2026. The implications of this requirement are noteworthy, particularly for those who might have considered circumventing the need for a Microsoft account by creating one solely for enrollment and then reverting to a local account.
Analysis: no local loophole – kind of
This policy effectively closes off any potential loopholes that could allow users to access extended security updates without adhering to the Microsoft account requirement. Users might have hoped to exploit the system by briefly signing in with a newly created Microsoft account and then switching back to their local account, thereby avoiding ongoing obligations. However, Microsoft has implemented checks to ensure that users remain signed into the account linked to their ESU enrollment.
While it is technically possible to sign up for the ESU, switch to a local account, and then re-enroll after two months, this approach is cumbersome. Microsoft appears intent on discouraging any attempts to navigate around the necessity of maintaining a Microsoft account for extended updates.
Interestingly, it remains unclear whether Microsoft will monitor users outside the EEA for compliance with the requirement to sync their PC settings to OneDrive, a condition for accessing the free update offer in regions beyond Europe. The EEA is exempt from this stipulation due to the Digital Markets Act, which has compelled Microsoft to adjust its practices significantly in certain aspects of Windows. Recent developments suggest that some changes made for European users, particularly regarding Edge and Bing, may eventually extend to a global audience, which could be promising news for users worldwide.
Moreover, even those opting to pay for extended support, priced at annually or its equivalent in local currency, must also have a Microsoft account and are likely subject to the same bi-monthly verification checks.
