Here is what Microsoft offers to continue using Windows 10 after 2025

Microsoft grants an additional year of security updates to those who wish. Similarly, to stay under Windows 10 after 2025. Moreover, But to benefit from it, it will be necessary to accept to share personal data.

After months of uncertainty, Microsoft has finally lifted the veil on the conditions of extension of the support of Windows 10. In addition, Officially, the system launched in the summer of 2015 will reach its end of life on October 14, 2025. Consequently, After this date, more security corrections, more assistance, nothing – unless we subscribe to the ESU program (Extended Security Updates). Therefore, A formula that extends support for a year. For example, until October 2026 and of which Microsoft has just unveiled the terms in a blog article published on July 22. Nevertheless, Three options exist to access it, but none here what microsoft offers continue is really free.

The first is the simplest: pay 30 dollars for a single PC. However, This annual rate. Nevertheless, fixed for the moment, may seem reasonable, but it quickly becomes penalizing if you manage several computers at home.

To avoid switching to the checkout, two alternatives are offered. For example, One is based on the Microsoft Rewards loyalty point system: 1,000 points must be exchanged for a year of support. Consequently, A reward reserved for loyal users. In addition, those who use Bing, play on Xbox or make their purchases via the Microsoft Store. The other option, more accessible, is to activate the Windows Backup backup application. A simple apparently operation, which would allow the extension to be benefited without leaving a penny. Except that this choice is not neutral: by activating the backup. the user authorizes the synchronization of his files, passwords, parameters and here what microsoft offers continue applications with the Microsoft servers, via OneDrive.

Windows 10 updates: free under conditions

This is where Microsoft’s strategy becomes more ambiguous. Offering a free support extension in exchange for reinforced integration in its cloud ecosystem may seem acceptable. But the quantity of personal data sucked by Windows Backup raises questions. Especially since the free space on OneDrive is voluntarily limited to 5 GB. Very quickly. an alert appears: to continue to save all of the content of your PC, you must subscribe to Microsoft 365. What looks like a safety measure then becomes a commercial lever to sell a subscription. The user, initially relieved to avoid paying, finds himself encouraged to adopt a service he may not need.

This maneuver is not new, but it takes a particular relief as the due date of October 2025 approaches. Because the context is not favorable to here what microsoft offers continue mass migration to Windows 11. The system, launched in 2021, has still not convinced a majority of users. To date, Windows 10 remains installed on more than half of the world park. An inertia which is explained by the material requirements of Windows 11, in particular the famous TPM 2.0 chip, absent from millions of machines still perfectly functional. For many users, migrate to Windows 11 would simply be involved in changing PCs. A cost much higher than that of an ESU subscription.

This technical impasse could cause an ecological disaster: according to certain defense groups like Pirg. the end of the Windows 10 support could lead to the greatest wave of rebuilding computers never seen. For Microsoft, maintaining an extension option, even imperfect, is therefore also a way to delay. The company admits it: the ESU program is not a lasting solution. but a provisional response for here what microsoft offers continue those who need time. In parallel. it multiplies efforts to push towards Windows 11, by strengthening its migration tool and by sending more and more frequent recall notifications.

What is at stake here is not only software security, but freedom of choice. Pay to continue using your own computer safely. yield part of your digital privacy to benefit from a free respite, or resolve to migrate to a more restrictive system: none of these options is completely satisfactory. Microsoft leaves the choice, but discreetly orienting the decision. A stay is not a solution. and for millions of users, it remains to be seen whether this stay is a reasonable compromise or an elegant way of forcing the hand.