Windows 10: Microsoft makes Windows 10 Extended Security Updates free, but only for users in one region

Windows 10 has just a few more weeks to go officially before Microsoft ends support for the operating system officially. Customers who run Windows 10 devices may extend support by a year or three, depending on whether they are home or business customers.

But joining the Extended Security Updates program has a cost attached to it, even for consumers. The three options that Microsoft has created have you either pay with your money, with Microsoft Rewards points, or with your data.

This approach has been a major concern for consumer rights organizations. The Euroconsumers Group, for example, criticized Microsoft for "linking access to essential security updates to engagement with Microsoft's own services".

Today, Microsoft released a statement that improves access to Windows 10 Extended Security Updates for users in the European Economic Area (which includes all EU member states, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.

It unlocks access to Extended Security Updates for users from the EEA and removes the requirement to pay with money or points, or to sync data with the Microsoft cloud. In other words, they can be enabled for free, even when not meeting any of the requirements that Microsoft created.

Microsoft confirmed the statement to Ghacks Technology News: "In the European Economic Area, we’re making updates to the enrollment process to ensure it meets local expectations and delivers a secure, streamlined experience. Our goal is to support customers and provide them with options as they transition to Windows 11, with uninterrupted access to critical security updates."

However, there is still one hurdle left. as Bleeping Computer found out. While users may join the program without fulfilling one of the requirements, they are required to join using a Microsoft account.

Windows 10 users who sign in with local accounts are exempt apparently. While that needs testing to make sure that this is indeed the case, it would still link essential security updates to using a Microsoft service, in this case a Microsoft account.

Windows 10 users need to check the Windows Update page of the Settings to get started enrolling. There they should see an "enroll now" link to start the process. If it is not displayed, an upgrade may be required, so click on the check for updates button to make sure your PC runs the latest Windows 10 version that Microsoft released.

Windows 10 users have other options. There is an open source script that enables Extended Security Updates on Windows 10, even for users who do not use a Microsoft account. Bypass options to install ESU updates without joining are also reportedly working.

Closing Words


Windows 10 is still widely used on PCs worldwide, with usage share hovering over the 40 percent mark in recent polls. That is a major security concern, considering that these PCs won't receive updates anymore after Microsoft releases the October 2025 update for Windows 10.

The only option to extend support is by joining the Extended Security Updates programs, which is now improved for users from the EEA.

Now You: do you run Windows 10 on your devices? Have you joined the ESU program already or plan to do so? Feel free to leave a comment down below.

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post Microsoft makes Windows 10 Extended Security Updates free, but only for users in one region appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

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Windows 10 Update

Well just noticed a pretty large one pop up coming in at 914MB, seems it makes some pretty serous updates.

KB3172985
Cumulative update for Windows 10 Version 1511 and Windows Server 2016 Technical Preview 4: July 12, 2016 - Microsoft Support

This security update includes improvements and fixes in the functionality of Windows 10 Version 1511 and Windows Server 2016 Technical Preview 4. It also resolves the following vulnerabilities in Windows:

• 3175677 MS16-094: Security update for secure boot: July 12, 2016
• 3174060 MS16-093: Security update for Adobe Flash Player: July 12, 2016
• 3171910 MS16-092: Security update for Windows Kernel: July 12, 2016
• 3170048 MS16-091: Security update for .Net Framework: July 12, 2016
• 3171481 MS16-090: Security update for Kernel Mode Drivers: July 12, 2016
• 3170050 MS16-089: Security update for Windows secure kernel mode: July 12, 2016
• 3170005 MS16-087: Security update for the Microsoft Print Spooler: July 12, 2016
• 3169999 MS16-085: Cumulative security update for Microsoft Edge: July 12, 2016
• 3169991 MS16-084: Cumulative security update for Internet Explorer: July 12, 2016

 

Microsoft to make Windows 10 updates mandatory

i really think they can resolve the issues in windows 10 with a few changes:

1. Allow users to set an internet bandwidth limit for the downloads (for those on crap internet), but no option to stop the security updates.
2. Make driver updates optional, but prompt users about them. No boot issues are just too hard for the average user to recover from, when they can just reinstall themselves.

 

Microsoft to make Windows 10 updates mandatory

Well, at the moment at least, you can choose to defer upgrades. Under Settings > Windows Updates > Advanced options you need to check the box labeled "Defer upgrades". What does that do? Good question. The answer I've found might illuminate it to a degree.

Pause updates in Windows - Microsoft Support

I hear this only applies to Pro and Enterprise editions. But I can't verify that.