How to Get Free Security Updates for Windows 10 After 2025

Microsoft Offers Free Security Updates for Windows 10 — But There’s a Catch. As the October 14, 2025 end-of-support date for Windows 10 draws near, Microsoft has announced a surprising — and welcome — option for millions of users: free security updates for one more year. But, as always, there's a catch — and this one’s spelled O-n-e-D-r-i-v-e.

The Windows 10 Deadline Is Approaching Fast

Windows 10, first released back in July 2015, has been the most widely adopted version of Microsoft’s operating system for years. As of May 2025, it still powers over 53% of Windows machines globally. With that in mind, the looming end-of-support date in October could leave millions of users without critical security updates — unless they make a move.

To ease the transition, Microsoft now offers three paths for users who want to stick with Windows 10 a little longer.

3 Ways to Stay Secure on Windows 10 After October 2025

Option 1: Get Free Security Updates with Cloud Backup

If you use Windows Backup to sync your files and settings to the cloud with OneDrive, you’ll be eligible to receive one extra year of security updates for free.

However, OneDrive comes with a storage cap. Free Microsoft accounts only get 5GB, and many full system backups will exceed this limit. If that happens, you’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan — typically $2/month for 100GB — still cheaper than paying outright for extended support.

Option 2: Use Microsoft Rewards

If you’ve racked up 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points, you can redeem them for one year of security updates. It’s a clever way to reward loyal users, especially those who’ve used Bing or Xbox services regularly.

Option 3: Pay $30 for Extended Security Updates (ESU)

For those who prefer simplicity or don’t use OneDrive, Microsoft is offering a $30/year Extended Security Update (ESU) subscription. You can enroll starting July 2025, when Microsoft rolls out the signup wizard. Businesses will also be able to purchase up to three years of additional updates.

Why This Matters

This move gives Windows 10 users breathing room. Instead of being forced into upgrading to Windows 11 — an OS that still suffers from compatibility issues and user pushback — users now have a grace period to either upgrade their hardware, explore other OS options, or wait for future changes from Microsoft.

Still, it’s worth noting that this is not a long-term fix. Even with the free OneDrive-based backup plan, updates will only continue until October 13, 2026. After that, users will need to transition to a supported OS.

Make Your Move Before Windows 10 Support Ends

Microsoft’s offer of free updates via OneDrive is a smart — if slightly inconvenient — compromise. For casual users with minimal storage needs, it’s a no-brainer. For others, the $2/month OneDrive upgrade or $30 ESU (Extended Security Update) plan is still a small price to pay for peace of mind.

If you’re among the majority still running Windows 10, now’s the time to decide: upgrade, back up to the cloud, or buy more time.

One thing’s for sure: Windows 10 may be a decade old, but it’s not going quietly.