Windows 10 Users Can Get Free Security Updates Until 2027 — Here's How

Windows 10 Users Can Get Free Security Updates Until 2027 — Here's How Microsoft's free Extended Security Updates program has been extended by a year. Joe Hindy Joe is a freelance journalist. It all started with a long-running affection for building his own PCs, which he did for the first time as a teenager.

It evolved into a lifelong enjoyment of putting words on the internet about the subject. He's written for CNET, PCMag, Mashable and SlashGear as a freelance writer, and worked as a Senior Editor at Android Authority for 10 years. When he's not writing about tech and science, he's learning the ins and outs of DIY home repair, gaming, playing his bass guitars and posting help on PC building and gaming subreddits.

He is a staunch believer that orange juice should have pulp. Expertise General Tech, Apps and Games, Space and Science, Entertainment, Music, Food See full bio Joe Hindy June 29, 2026 12:30 p.m.

PT 2 min read Windows 10 Users Can Get Free Security Updates Until 2027 — Here's How Windows 10 Users Can Get Free Security Updates Until 2027 — Here's How Microsoft's free Extended Security Updates program has been extended by a year. Joe Hindy Joe is a freelance journalist. It all started with a long-running affection for building his own PCs, which he did for the first time as a teenager.

It evolved into a lifelong enjoyment of putting words on the internet about the subject. He's written for CNET, PCMag, Mashable and SlashGear as a freelance writer, and worked as a Senior Editor at Android Authority for 10 years. When he's not writing about tech and science, he's learning the ins and outs of DIY home repair, gaming, playing his bass guitars and posting help on PC building and gaming subreddits.

He is a staunch believer that orange juice should have pulp. Expertise General Tech, Apps and Games, Space and Science, Entertainment, Music, Food See full bio Joe Hindy June 29, 2026 12:30 p.m.

PT 2 min read Joe Hindy Joe is a freelance journalist. It all started with a long-running affection for building his own PCs, which he did for the first time as a teenager. It evolved into a lifelong enjoyment of putting words on the internet about the subject.

He's written for CNET, PCMag, Mashable and SlashGear as a freelance writer, and worked as a Senior Editor at Android Authority for 10 years. When he's not writing about tech and science, he's learning the ins and outs of DIY home repair, gaming, playing his bass guitars and posting help on PC building and gaming subreddits. He is a staunch believer that orange juice should have pulp.

Expertise General Tech, Apps and Games, Space and Science, Entertainment, Music, Food See full bio Joe Hindy June 29, 2026 12:30 p.m. PT 2 min read Support for Windows 10 officially ended last October.

Microsoft is prioritizing updates for the latest OS, Windows 11, and has thus stopped providing security updates for its decade-old predecessor. But if updating to Windows 11 isn't an option, you can still continue getting security updates until 2027.Windows 10 users can snag a year of extended security updates for the prior OS for $30.

If you're on a budget, there's a free option that will let you keep extended security updates for a year. You'll just be required to connect your OneDrive account and enable cloud backup. Getting free updates on Windows 10, which was released more than a decade ago in July 2015, is a pretty big deal.

As the most widely used Windows OS, it accounts for just over 53% of installs as of May 2025. Millions of people would be left without security support unless they upgrade. The cloud backup option gives users a choice without incurring a cost.

The only potential issue is OneDrive. Anyone with a Microsoft account gets up to 5GB of storage for free. However, as The Verge points out, some backups may exceed this limitation, requiring users to purchase a monthly or yearly plan.

At $2 a month for 100GB of cloud storage, a year of OneDrive still costs less than the $30 for a year of additional security updates, but it may still cause frustration among some customers. Microsoft is offering a year of Windows 10 security updates, but there is a catch. Microsoft How to get Windows 10 security updates for free Per Microsoft's blog post, there are now three options for those who want to stay on Windows 10 and still receive security updates: Use Windows Backup to sync settings to the cloud via OneDrive.

Redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points. Redeeming those points can buy you one year of security updates.Pay $30 for the Extended Security Updates program.

These options are available now. Microsoft began offering its Extended Security Updates program in July. Signing up for this option will guarantee updates through Oct.

14, 2027, although businesses can purchase up to 3 years of additional updates. So, this isn't a long-term solution, but rather gives you more time to upgrade to Windows 11. It's been an uphill battle for Microsoft, as people have been reluctant to upgrade