Microsoft Account Required for Windows 10 Extended Security Updates, Even With Paid Option

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Microsoft has revealed a requirement for accessing extended security updates for Windows 10: users must now link their Microsoft account, regardless of whether they opt to pay for the service or utilize the free alternative. The clarification comes as the standard support period for Windows 10 nears its end this October, with Extended Security Updates (ESU) offering continued protection through October 2026. Initially announced at a cost of $30 annually per device, Microsoft later introduced a free option that involves synchronizing PC settings via OneDrive, also necessitating a Microsoft account login.

The expanded support program permits coverage for up to ten devices under a single account. Users can access ESU through paying the $30 annual fee, synchronizing settings with OneDrive, or by utilizing 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points. The need for a Microsoft account appears intended to enforce device limits, though it has drawn criticism from users concerned about increasing requirements for Microsoft account usage within Windows operating systems—a trend previously observed in the rollout of Windows 11 and subsequent attempts to eliminate local account options.