Microsoft has announced Windows 10 users won't have to pay for updates for the first year after its "end of life". It's the most significant move yet away from a potential security nightmare.

This October will still be the official point at which Microsoft no longer offers any updates. With previous systems, that meant a complete end to security updates for consumers, with businesses able to pay a significant fee (doubling every year) to get the patches through a three-year Extended Security Updates program.

Microsoft had already announced that for the first time, consumers would be eligible for the program, at a reduced fee of $30. That only covers one year of updates, with no commitment by Microsoft beyond that.

With many owners either unable or unwilling to upgrade to Windows 11, often because their fully functioning PC didn't meet the hardware requirements, that left a serious problem. If Microsoft pulled the plug on free updates it faced the prospect of millions of unprotected computers becoming an enticing target for malware creators.

Settings Backup Gets Free Security Updates

Now it has backtracked further by announcing two options to get the updates without paying the $30 fee. One is to use Windows Backup to sync Windows Backup Settings to the cloud. This doesn't mean backing up any documents or data, but instead just backing up details such as the list of installed apps, mouse cursor speed, default WiFi network and so on. (Source: microsoft.com)

It's not really clear what Microsoft has to gain from people backing up their Windows Backup Settings and it certainly doesn't bring $30 of value to the company. This means its most likely a face-saving exercise to avoid formally ditching the option to pay the fee.

Side note: in order to use Windows Backup, you need to have a Microsoft Account associated with your Windows installation. To check if you are using a Microsoft Account, Click the Start button, then click the gear icon (Settings) from the menu. In Settings, go to Accounts -> Your Info; if you see your email address, you're using a Microsoft Account; if it says "Local account" or shows "Sign in with a Microsoft account", you're not, which means you most likely need to convert your Local account to a Microsoft account. Although this article was compiled by John Lister, it's Dennis' best guess that Microsoft wants to force all of us to use a Microsoft Account so they can stay in touch (and spam us with offers)? by having us backup our Backup Settings in order to get an extension on Windows 10 Updates. Your guess is as good as mine!

The other option is to spend 1,000 Microsoft Reward points. This is a loyalty scheme where users earn points through a variety of actions from buying apps in the Microsoft store to using Bing to carry out web searches and even playing Xbox games. For somebody who was intentionally trying to rack up the 1,000 points, they would have to either spend $100 in the Microsoft store, carry out 334 searches in Bing, or a combination of the two.

Delaying The Dilemma

Windows Insider program members can already sign up for the security updates by paying the fee, redeeming the rewards or enabling settings backups. Other Windows 10 users will get the option between mid-July and mid-August. (Source: lifehacker.com)

The question now moves to what happens in a year's time. Microsoft will be hoping enough people have switched to Windows 11 next year that it can feel confident in finally stopping security updates for consumers. The risk is that enough people take advantage of the delay that it just faces the same dilemma in October, 2026.

What's Your Opinion?

Will you be taking advantage of the new options? Does this change your approach to a Windows 11 upgrade? Do you think Microsoft will extend the security updates beyond this initial year.