Free Windows 10 Security Updates Through 2026? Yes, But With a Catch.
Microsoft just gave Windows 10 users a lifeline: one extra year of free security updates, extending support into 2026. But there’s a twist—only certain users qualify, and it’s not quite the free lunch it sounds like.
By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor
June 25, 2025
Microsoft Isn’t Done With You… Yet
Let’s be honest—Windows 10 has aged well.
It’s familiar, stable, and still runs on over half of all Windows PCs.
But with official support ending on October 14, 2025, many users were bracing for the upgrade hammer.
Here's a Cool Tip: Microsoft has extended the deadline.
You can get one more year of free critical security updates—until October 13, 2026.
The catch?
You’ll need to opt into Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates (ESU) program—and that means jumping through a few hoops.