Windows 10 ESU must be bound to a Microsoft account and spending money is not enough

Windows 10 will end its life cycle on October 14, 2025, and will no longer provide new features, security updates, bug fixes, and technical support.For users who don’t want to give up Windows 10 but want to keep their systems secure, Microsoft has launched the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program.

Of course, the ESU plan does not provide lifetime security updates for Windows 10 devices. It only extends the update period for one year to October 13, 2026. In addition, the ESU plan does not provide technical support. If there is a problem with the system, users can only solve it by themselves.

Microsoft recently clarified the details of the ESU plan, in which Microsoft stated that if you choose to join ESU,Users need to ensure that the device is running Windows 10 22H2 and has the latest updates installed, as well as a Microsoft account,Users can update up to ten Windows 10 computers by paying $30.

The requirement also sparked controversy, as one of the reasons many users refused to upgrade to Windows 11 was its mandatory Microsoft account requirement.

If users are unwilling to provide information to Microsoft and create an account, they will have to use Windows 10 without security after October 14, 2025.