- Microsoft requires Windows 10 users to stay signed in to a Microsoft account for free Extended Security Updates.
- If no sign-in occurs for 60 days, updates stop and re-enrollment is needed.
- European users have fewer restrictions due to the Digital Markets Act.
- Paid users also need a Microsoft account for the extra year of support.
Microsoft has added a new requirement to the free extended security updates for Windows 10. Users who want to keep their PCs secure beyond the official end of support in October 2025 will need to do more than just sign up once.
The company has made it clear that anyone using the Extended Security Updates program must remain signed in to their Microsoft account. It is not enough to log in at the start. If you go more than 60 days without signing in, your access to updates will be paused.
This rule will surprise many Windows 10 users who were hoping to stick with a local account. Microsoft has essentially closed the door on that option.
Microsoft Confirms Ongoing Sign-in Is Needed
The news came after Microsoft explained the details to tech site Windows Latest. A spokesperson said, “If your Microsoft account is not used to sign in for up to 60 days, updates will be discontinued. You will need to re-enroll using the same account.”
This means the company will be checking that you continue using the Microsoft account tied to your Extended Security Updates enrollment.
Windows 10 officially reaches the end of its free support on October 14, 2025. After that, the only safe way to keep the operating system secure is to sign up for Extended Security Updates. The program offers an additional year of security patches, taking users through to October 2026.
Local Account Loophole Shut Down
For years, some Windows users have preferred local accounts because they feel more private and less connected to Microsoft’s ecosystem. Many thought they could register for the free updates with a Microsoft account, then return to their local account once enrolled.
Microsoft’s new rule prevents that. If you stop using the linked Microsoft account, you risk losing access to critical updates.
Some might try to work around the restriction by switching between a local account and a Microsoft account every two months. However, this would be inconvenient and time-consuming. It is clear Microsoft wants to discourage such attempts.
European Users Face Fewer Restrictions
The rules are slightly different in Europe. Due to the European Union’s Digital Markets Act, Microsoft had to adjust its approach in the region. Users in the European Economic Area can access the free year of Extended Security Updates without syncing their settings to OneDrive.
In other regions, syncing settings to Microsoft’s cloud service is still required to qualify for the free updates. Microsoft has not said whether it will enforce this requirement as strictly as it enforces the 60-day sign-in rule.
Earlier this week, hints surfaced that some of the changes made in Europe, such as loosening integration between Edge and Bing, might eventually expand worldwide. Many users would welcome that.
Paid Support Also Requires a Microsoft Account
Even users willing to pay for the extra year of Windows 10 support will not avoid the Microsoft account requirement. The paid program costs 30 dollars for the year, but it still needs an active Microsoft account and appears to follow the same 60-day sign-in checks.
This makes it clear that Microsoft wants all Extended Security Updates participants connected to its account system, whether they are paying or not.
The move highlights the company’s ongoing push to link Windows more tightly to its online services. For users who have resisted signing in with a Microsoft account until now, the end of Windows 10’s support life is forcing a choice.
Follow TechBSB For More Updates
