There is a happy development to report for European customers using Windows 10.
Windows 10 users in Europe will get FREE Extended Security Updates for Windows 10 for a period of 1 year.
Europe’s customers (not all European customers are eligible) will get access to security updates for Windows 10 after 14 October 2025 until 14 October 2026. This is without a need to pay anything to Microsoft.
But, there is a catch. Not all European customers are eligible. So, let us have a look at the details of the FREE Extended Security Updates (ESU program) program for Windows 10 in Europe.
What is the eligibility for a Windows 10 computer to participate in the Extended Security Update program for Windows 10?
FREE ESU program subscription for Windows 10 is available to end customers or consumers. Commercial organizations will need to pay for the ESU program for Windows 10.
There are 3 important requirements for a Windows 10 PC to participate in the ESU program for Windows 10.
- Windows 10 computer must be using Windows 10 22H2 version. This is not a difficult condition. All that you need to do is to ensure that Windows 10 upgrades to 22H2 version through the Microsoft site. Your computer could be running Windows 10 Home, Professional, Pro Education or Workstations edition.
- Your Windows 10 computer must have cumulative update KB5046613 or a newer update installed on the system. KB5046613 was released in November 2024.So, effectively, you must have installed November 2024 cumulative update or a newer cumulative security update on Windows 10 computer. You can install the latest cumulative update on your Windows 10 computer through the Windows Update program on your computer.
- You must have a Microsoft account to participate in the ESU program. The ESU program is linked to the Microsoft account for continuity.
Which European customers are eligible for FREE Extended Security Updates for Windows 10?
Windows 10 consumers in the European Economic Area or the EEA can get FREE subscription to Microsoft Windows 10 Extended Security Updates until 14 October 2026.
To get access to the Extended Security Updates, do use your Microsoft account.
Consumers from the following European countries are eligible for FREE Windows 10 Extended Security Updates coverage for a period of one year. This period starts from 14 October 2025 and runs until 13 October 2026. I will reiterate that no charges are to be paid for ESU program subscription by consumers in the EEA.
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.
This also means that consumers from Switzerland and United Kingdom are not eligible for FREE Extended Security Update program for Windows 10 users.
Commercial organizations, however, are not eligible for FREE Windows 10 Extended Security Updates. The offer or scheme is only available to retail consumers from the EEA. Commercial organizations will need to pay the ESU cost of $61 a year for subscription to the Windows 10 ESU program for a period of 1 year until October 2026.
Which Windows 10 consumers from Europe are not eligible for FREE Extended Security Updates?
Only consumers from Switzerland and United Kingdom are not eligible to get a FREE subscription to Windows 10 Extended Security Updates for the period between October 2025 to October 2026.
Additionally, your computer is not eligible for FREE Windows 10 Extended Security Updates if one or more of the following conditions are being fulfilled by the system:
- Devices in kiosk mode.
- Devices joined to an Active Directory domain or that are Microsoft Entra joined.
- Devices that do not have a valid Microsoft account signed in for enrolling in the ESU subscription.
- Devices enrolled in a Mobile Device Management (MDM) solution.
- Devices that already have an ESU license.
How do I enroll in the Windows 10 Extended Security Updates or ESU program for FREE in Europe?
You can follow the steps below to enroll your Windows 10 22H2 system into a FREE subscription to Windows 10 ESU program:
- Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. If your device meets the prerequisites, you’ll see a link to enroll in ESU. (make sure you are logged into your Microsoft account for this to complete)
- Once you select enroll now you’ll start the ESU enrollment. If you are signed into Windows with a local account, you will be prompted to sign into your Microsoft account.
Simplifying technology, one step at a time.