The era of Windows 10 officially ends today, October 14. After more than a decade of service, Microsoft is retiring security support for the operating system, shifting its focus entirely to Windows 11. From this point forward, Windows 10 will no longer receive critical security updates—unless you opt into an extended support plan.
For those unable or unwilling to upgrade to Windows 11, Microsoft offers two ways to keep Windows 10 secure without spending much—or anything at all. Paid access to Extended Security Updates costs $30 for one year, but budget-conscious users can secure that same coverage for free by linking a OneDrive account and enabling cloud backup.
Considering Windows 10 launched in July 2015 and still powers more than 53% of all Windows installs as of May 2025, the free option is a significant lifeline for millions of users who face losing protection against emerging threats. By tapping into Microsoft’s cloud storage ecosystem, you can stay supported for another year without opening your wallet.
However, there’s a catch: OneDrive’s free tier provides only 5GB of storage. Depending on how much data you back up, that limit may be exhausted quickly. Upgrading to 100GB costs $2 per month—still cheaper than $30 for the standard update plan, but potentially unwelcome for users already frustrated with Microsoft’s upselling tactics.
How to Get Free Windows 10 Security Updates
Microsoft’s blog lists three available options to continue receiving security updates:
- Use Windows Backup with OneDrive to sync and store your settings and files in the cloud.
- Redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points for a free one-year Extended Security Updates subscription.
- Pay $30 for one year of Extended Security Updates coverage.
All three are now live, with guaranteed coverage through October 13, 2026. Businesses can purchase up to three additional years, but for consumers, this is intended as a short-term bridge to Windows 11 rather than a permanent solution.
Despite Microsoft’s push, many users remain hesitant to move on. Hardware compatibility issues, an unpopular set of design changes, and lingering bugs have kept Windows 10 in widespread use far longer than usual. This final stretch of extended updates might be the last chance to hold out—before upgrading becomes less of a choice and more of a necessity.
