Microsoft Offers Free Windows 10 Security Updates – Here’s the Cloud Catch!
Microsoft Offers Free Windows 10 Security Updates – Here’s the Cloud Catch!
Great news for the vast majority of PC users still on Windows 10! As the operating system approaches its official end-of-life on October 14, 2025, Microsoft has unveiled a new, unexpected way to keep your system secure without paying a dime. But, as with most things that sound too good to be true, there’s a significant catch.
Starting this July, Windows 10 users will be able to enroll in a program that grants one year of free security updates, extending protection until October 13, 2026. The catch? You must actively use the Windows Backup app to sync your PC settings and files to the cloud via OneDrive, and naturally, you’ll need to be signed in with a Microsoft account on your device.
This strategic move by Microsoft appears to be a dual play: ensuring critical security updates reach the more than 50% of active PCs still running Windows 10, and simultaneously driving adoption and engagement for its OneDrive cloud storage service. By integrating security updates with cloud backup, Microsoft aims to keep its extensive user base safe while pushing its ecosystem services.
This new free option adds to the existing Extended Security Update (ESU) program, which was announced last year. Under ESU, consumers could pay an annual fee of $30 per PC for continued security patches. Alternatively, users can also redeem 1,000 Microsoft Reward points to cover the cost. Regardless of the method chosen – be it the new free OneDrive integration, the $30 fee, or Reward points – all options provide security updates only, with no feature updates, bug fixes, or technical support included.
The dedicated application for enrolling in this free security program is slated for release next month, in July. For millions of Windows 10 users contemplating their upgrade path or extended security, this new cloud-dependent free option offers a compelling, albeit conditional, reprieve.
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