According to Microsoft’s official announcement, registering a Windows 10 computer in the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program requires the establishment of a Microsoft Account to finish the purchase for a $30 charge. The good thing about this advancement is that one Windows 10 ESU license may be used for up to 10 devices logged into the same account, thus you won’t have to pay $30 for each individual device as originally thought.
Surprisingly, this fact was not prominently disclosed in Microsoft’s first release. These circumstances have both benefits and drawbacks. The good news is that the $30 license is now rather less expensive; the disadvantage is that you must still register for a Microsoft Account in order to keep getting security updates after Windows 10 reaches its end of support on October 14, 2025.
Windows 10’s ESU approach connects the PC settings with OneDrive in exchange for free access to updates. Choosing to pay the $30 charge had users expecting they could avoid needing a Microsoft Account. The corporation has now made clear, however, that all enrollment choices call for a Microsoft Account regardless of your $30 payment status.
A Microsoft support document explicitly says: “All enrollment options provide extended security updates through October 13, 2026. You will need to sign in to your Microsoft account in order to enroll in Windows 10 ESU. You’ll be given these options to choose from when you enroll in the ESU program. You can use your existing ESU license on up to 10 devices.”
These Windows 10 ESU’s enrollment choices include, one-time purchase of $30 USD, 1,000 Microsoft Reward points and free if you sync your PC settings to OneDrive. Many Windows 10 users who have resisted creating a Microsoft Account until this point are likely to be upset by this notice. Conversely, it should meet those who are already using a Microsoft Account and have several devices requiring protection.
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