In a latest update, Microsoft officially prepares to retire the Windows 10 operating system as it is planning to the end of security support for Windows 10 from October this year.
How to Get Free Security Update For Windows 10 After Discontinuation?
If you are wondering in this regard then you can pay £30 for a one-year Extended Security Update (ESU), but there’s also a free alternative, only if you’re willing to use Microsoft’s cloud services.
In case you are willing to try this option, all you need to do is back up your device using Windows Backup and connect it to your OneDrive account.
This is like killing two birds with one stone as it would allow you to continue to receive the updates that too without paying for the ESU plan.
When it comes to the Windows 10, it is still powering over 53 per cent of PCs as of May 2025, so this offer holds a significance.
On the the other side, in the absence of these updates, millions of devices will soon be left without vital security patches.
It seems that the Microsoft’s cloud-based workaround offers a stopgap for users who are not ready to switch to Windows 11.
Here only potential issue comes with the OneDrive storage but as we know that anyone with a Microsoft account receives up to 5 GB of storage for free.
But for some backups, they may exceed this limit so these users will require to purchase a monthly or yearly plan.
So, all in all, a year of OneDrive still costs less than £30 for an extra year of security updates at £2 per month for 100 GB of cloud storage.
This latest change has the potential to cause frustration among some customers.
31st July also marks the 10th anniversary of Windows 10, which has reached to the great success.
Considering the Windows 11’s market share finally overtakes it, now Microsoft is moving to retire the OS which will join the likes of Windows 7 and Windows XP in the company’s archives.
Steps To Get The Windows 10 Security Updates
Microsoft outlined three steps for getting free Windows 10 security updates through its new incentive programme in its recent blog post.
- To start with, the user need to sync their settings to OneDrive in the cloud using Windows Backup.
- After this, they need to utilize 1,000 points from Microsoft Rewards.
- And lastly they can purchase a year’s worth of security updates using those points.
Moreover, the users will be able to redeem this starting in July as the company is expecting to roll out the sign-up process for the Extended Security Updates program.
In case of businesses, they will have the option to pay for up to three years of further upgrades.
If they sign up for this, it will ensure updates through 13 October 2026 while giving them extra time to switch to Windows 11, but it isn’t a permanent solution.
