I have to admit, I was a little taken aback. After writing “Windows 10 is being phased out, and Microsoft has done everything right – yet I’m considering leaving the entire ecosystem,” I had pretty much accepted that the end was near. I had even started looking into Linux as a real alternative.
But then something happened that I didn’t expect: Microsoft offered me an extra year of security updates for Windows 10. For free. Not as part of a business program. Not as a hidden subscription. Just free.
A Small Step for Microsoft, a Big Step for Trust
For those who haven’t been following this closely: Windows 10 was supposed to receive its final security update on October 14, 2025. After that, the system would no longer be protected. Continuing to use it would be like leaving your front door open at night.
Now, Microsoft is giving users the option to register for one more year of Extended Security Updates — at no cost for individuals and small businesses. In practice, that means millions of users get some breathing room before they have to replace their PCs or move to a new operating system.
More Than Just a Technical Update
For me, this isn’t just about security or updates. It’s about something much rarer — a large company that actually listens.
In my previous article, I asked: Is this progress, or planned obsolescence?
Now I see a small glimpse of progress that actually feels right.
Not because Microsoft is turning everything upside down, but because they’ve paused for a moment and said:
“We hear you.”
An extra year of support might not sound like much, but the symbolism is powerful. It’s about respect for users — and about responsibility for sustainability at a time when perfectly working PCs might otherwise end up as e-waste.
Sustainability in Practice
The EU has already begun questioning whether it aligns with environmental goals that a single company can render functional PCs obsolete overnight.
By extending the life of Windows 10, Microsoft is sending an important signal — both to users and to the rest of the industry:
Technological progress and sustainability can actually coexist.
Even a small gesture like this makes a difference. It means fewer replacements, less electronic waste, and more time to plan the next step.
A Warning — and a Hope
I don’t think this means everything is solved. The hardware requirements for Windows 11 remain in place, and many PCs will eventually fall outside the support line.
But the difference now is that users get time to breathe, to consider, and to choose.
And that’s perhaps the most important part:
Progress shouldn’t feel like pressure. It should feel like opportunity.
Maybe We Were Actually Heard
Maybe this was planned all along. Maybe it’s a strategic move to soften criticism.
Or maybe — just maybe — it’s the collective voice of everyone asking questions that made Microsoft adjust its course.
Whatever the reason, it’s a good move. And I’ll give them credit for it.
As users, we don’t always need to start a revolution.
Sometimes it’s enough to stay aware, ask questions, and speak up.
Because when a company of Microsoft’s size listens, it shows that we can still influence the direction of digital development.
Still, I’m Keeping the Door Ajar
Even though Microsoft did the right thing this time, the principle remains:
Technology should serve us — not control us.
In a year, my PC will be over nine years old. It’s almost funny how well it still performs — completely silent, fanless, slim, light, and reliable. My Huawei MateBook has honestly been the best laptop I’ve ever owned.
But time is catching up; the battery capacity is now down to about 20 percent of what it once was. Maybe it’s simply time to let it retire with dignity.
An extra year of support isn’t just good news.
It’s a graceful farewell for a machine that’s done its job more than well enough.
A Small PS
If you’re wondering whether you qualify for another year of security updates, it’s easy to check:
Microsoft will gradually enable registration through the Windows 10 settings menu. You’ll get a notification on your screen once the option becomes available.
You can also check manually by going to Settings → Update & Security → Windows Update, and looking for information about Extended Security Updates (ESU).
The program applies to individuals and small businesses — and it’s completely free, at least for the first year.
