Microsoft’s hidden way to give Windows 10 users free updates

Windows 10 support is officially ending soon

Windows 10 has been around since 2015, powering hundreds of millions of PCs worldwide. But Microsoft has confirmed that support officially ends on October 14, 2025.

After that date, no new features or regular fixes will be provided, leaving devices more vulnerable to security threats. The only way to stay protected is through Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates program, ESU. Without it, using Windows 10 will carry significant risks for personal and business users.

Extended security updates are the safety net

Microsoft’s ESU program was initially designed for businesses that needed more time to move off old operating systems. For Windows 10, Microsoft is extending it to individual consumers for the first time.

ESU delivers monthly patches for critical vulnerabilities, ensuring your PC remains safe from newly discovered exploits. It does not provide new features, design changes, or performance updates. It’s a temporary shield to give users more time to plan their upgrade.

Access updates without direct payment

When Microsoft first revealed ESU, the plan was simple: pay $30 per year if you wanted updates past the 2025 deadline.

However, the company recently surprised everyone by announcing hidden alternatives that allow users to avoid paying outright. You can now redeem Microsoft Rewards points or use Windows Backup with OneDrive to qualify for ESU at no cost. These unexpected options give millions of users breathing room without opening their wallets, though both come with important caveats.

Using Windows Backup unlocks free updates

The most publicized option involves turning on Windows Backup and syncing your folders and settings to OneDrive. Doing this automatically enrolls your PC into ESU for free. It’s a clever way for Microsoft to encourage cloud adoption, but the catch is storage.

OneDrive only provides 5GB for free, and if your Documents or Desktop folders exceed that limit, you’ll need to pay for extra storage. At $2 per month for 100GB, it’s cheaper than ESU but still not free.

Redeeming Microsoft Rewards is another path

The second no-cash option is to redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points earned by using Microsoft services like Bing or Edge. One thousand points translates to roughly one dollar in value, making it a bargain compared to the $30 annual ESU fee.

If you use Microsoft’s ecosystem regularly, you may already have enough points saved. This route allows you to extend your security coverage while paying for your activity instead of actual money.

Paying $30 per year remains the standard route

If you want the simplest option without strings attached, you can pay ESU’s $30 yearly fee. Once enrolled, your PC will receive security patches through October 13, 2026.

While not expensive compared to upgrading hardware, some users see this as frustrating, especially since Windows 10 is still installed on over half of all PCs. Microsoft is betting the cost will nudge many people toward buying new Windows 11 devices.

An enrollment wizard makes setup easy

Starting in July, Microsoft is rolling out an enrollment wizard inside Windows 10 to streamline this process. When the wizard appears, you’ll see the three ESU options: pay $30, redeem Rewards points, or activate Windows Backup.

Choose your method, follow the steps, and your PC will automatically enroll. Notifications and prompts will guide you, making it harder for users to miss the deadline. It’s Microsoft’s way of nudging users toward transition while simplifying the enrollment experience.

Free updates are only a temporary relief

It’s important to stress that ESU is not a permanent fix. Even with free enrollment, consumer devices will only receive updates until October 2026.

Businesses can pay for up to three years of coverage, but home PCs will eventually lose support. Microsoft is clear that this grace period exists only to give users time to transition.

ESU is just a stopgap solution, whether you plan to upgrade hardware, switch to Windows 11, or explore alternatives.

Microsoft is nudging users toward Windows 11

Microsoft isn’t being purely generous by offering free ESU through OneDrive or Rewards. The company has called 2025 “the year of the Windows 11 PC refresh” and wants people to move on quickly.

The free options are designed to remove excuses while tying users deeper into Microsoft’s ecosystem. Once enrolled, many will use OneDrive more or stick with Bing searches. In that sense, ESU is both a safety net and a marketing strategy.

Millions of PCs still run Windows 10

Despite Windows 11’s growth, Windows 10 remains hugely popular. As of mid-2025, Windows 10 still powers around 53% of PCs globally, while roughly 37% of Steam users remain on the OS, according to StatCounter and Steam Hardware Survey data.

That’s a massive number of machines at risk once official support ends. Microsoft knows forcing all of them to upgrade overnight is unrealistic. ESU provides a middle ground, ensuring users who resist or cannot upgrade can stay safe for a bit longer.

Using OneDrive could cost more

While OneDrive backup sounds free, it has hidden costs for heavy users. If your files exceed the 5GB free tier, you must pay for storage. That’s $2 per month for 100GB, $7 monthly for a terabyte with Microsoft 365, or more for family plans.

Over time, this may exceed the $30 ESU fee. For some, paying for ESU outright could be cheaper than relying on OneDrive, especially if they already have other backup solutions.

Reward points are easiest if you plan

The Microsoft Rewards path is inexpensive, but it requires foresight. You must rack up points before the October deadline by searching with Bing, completing daily quizzes, or shopping in the Microsoft Store.

Many people may not use Microsoft services enough to accumulate 1,000 points quickly. If you’re interested in this option, start now. That way, you’ll have your points ready and can avoid the $30 fee without needing to manage OneDrive storage limits.

Businesses face much steeper fees

Consumers may pay $30 annually, but business customers face a much higher bill. Large organizations will spend $61 per PC in the first year, doubling to $122 in year two and $244 in year three.

That totals $427 per device over three years. For enterprises managing thousands of computers, that’s a staggering expense. By comparison, consumers are getting a generous deal even with OneDrive catches. Microsoft is clearly applying more pressure on businesses to upgrade quickly.

Older PCs remain a significant problem

One reason Windows 10 is still so familiar is that many older PCs can’t upgrade to Windows 11 due to strict hardware requirements. These include support for TPM 2.0 and modern CPUs.

Millions of otherwise functional computers are excluded. ESU gives owners of these devices an extra year of security, but after October 2026, they’ll face tough choices: upgrade hardware, switch to Linux or ChromeOS. Even if it’s at risk of running unsupported software, Microsoft’s rules leave little middle ground.

Windows 365 offers another escape route

Microsoft is pushing another alternative for those locked out of Windows 11: Windows 365. This service streams a Windows 11 Cloud PC from Microsoft’s servers, including free ESU for your old Windows 10 host machine.

The catch is price. Plans start at $28 per month, which adds up quickly. Still, it’s a way to securely keep older hardware in use while accessing modern Windows. It also ties customers further into Microsoft’s subscription ecosystem.

If cost or speed is holding you back, see how to improve performance on a slow Windows 11 PC.

Windows 10 users need a long-term plan

Extended Security Updates buy you time, but they don’t solve the bigger issue: Windows 10 is ending. Whether you pay $30, use Rewards, or back up to OneDrive, you only delay the inevitable.

Now is the moment to plan. Can your PC be upgraded to Windows 11 with a registry tweak? Do you need new hardware? Or should you explore alternatives like Linux? ESU is Microsoft’s hidden gift, but it should be used as a bridge, not a destination.

As you weigh your next move beyond Windows 10, see if you always disable these Windows 11 settings that could make a real difference.

What do you think about the above tips and tricks for users not getting Windows update? Share your thoughts and drop a comment.

Read More From This Brand:

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• Your Microsoft account is doing more on Windows 11 than you think

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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.