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Microsoft makes Windows 10 extended support updates available free of charge for all countries in the European Economic Area, including Czech customers. Support will be available for another year, namely until October 14, 2026. The Windows Central server pointed out the change in the company’s position. Originally, Microsoft wanted to end support next month.
Until now, the software giant planned to give free access to extended security updates of its Windows 10 operating system, which has not been sold for several years, for the next 12 months only to those users who synchronize their computer settings with the cloud via a Microsoft account.
“In the European Economic Area, we are making updates to the registration process to meet local expectations and provide a secure and efficient environment. Our goal is to support customers and provide them with options as they migrate to Windows 11 with continuous access to important security updates,” Microsoft told Windows Central.
In Europe, the planned end of free support for Windows 10 has come under fire from consumer organizations such as Euroconsumers, which expressed doubts that Microsoft’s move is in line with the European Union’s Digital Markets Act.
Microsoft wants to gradually convert all users to its current Windows 11 operating system. Those outside the European Economic Area who still use Windows 10 are now given the choice of either synchronizing their computer with Microsoft’s cloud or paying $30 for annual support. Another option is to switch to Windows 11, but some older computers do not meet the hardware requirements of the new system. For the user, this means the need to purchase a new machine.
Lack of support is a security threat
Doing without support means above all a security risk. As soon as Microsoft stops issuing security updates, the system becomes vulnerable to new threats. Statistically, outdated systems are up to three times more often the target of cyber attacks. For example, during the first year after the end of support for Windows 7, the number of attacked devices increased by more than 65%, according to the seller Alza.cz. And a similar scenario can be expected with Windows 10, where hackers will immediately start targeting known security flaws that would not have been fixed on some devices.
Another problem is the gradual inability to use some newer programs on the computer. New applications and program updates will be optimized for Windows 11, which will lead to incompatibility with Windows 10. Software companies are already starting to announce that their new products will not support older versions of the system.
For example, Adobe plans to end support for its creative applications for Windows 10 during 2026. A similar step can be expected, for example, from internet browser developers.
Microsoft states that it has 1.4 billion users of the Windows 10 and 11 operating systems worldwide. It does not state the ratio between the individual versions, according to American media, the ratio between the two systems tipped in favor of Windows 11 only this summer. The older Windows 10 probably still has hundreds of millions of users. In the Czech Republic, less than half of all computers are still equipped with Windows 10.
