While consumers can now get a year of extended security updates for Windows 10 for free, enterprises will still have to pay if they want to keep systems secure after Microsoft's October 2025 end-of-life deadline.

Microsoft revealed last year that it will charge consumers $30 for a year of extra security updates to Windows 10. Now, it’s allowing consumers to enroll into its Extended Security Updates (ESU) free of charge ahead of the Windows 10 end of support on October 14th. But there’s a catch.

Microsoft continues to support your PC only if you use cloud backups linked to your OneDrive account.