If you plan to stick with Windows 10 after its official support ends next year, Microsoft has added a new condition to its offer of free security updates. Even for users in Europe who get the extra year of support for free, you’ll now have to stay logged into your Microsoft account at least once every 60 days.
Microsoft has confirmed that if you don’t sign in within the 60-day window, your security updates will be discontinued, and you’ll need to re-enroll to receive them again. Windows 10 is set to reach the end of its support life on October 14, 2025. After that, the only way to continue using it safely is through Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, which will provide patches until October 2026.
So what’s the reason for this new rule? It’s a clear move by Microsoft to prevent people from receiving free updates while using a “local account”—that is, a Windows 10 installation that isn’t tied to a Microsoft account. Some users might have thought they could create a dummy Microsoft account, sign in once to get the updates, and then switch back to their local account. But this new 60-day check-in requirement makes that impossible.
This rule applies to everyone, including those who pay the $30 for the extra year of support. It’s a hassle, but it highlights how much Microsoft wants its users to be tied to its online services.
