WASHINHGTON, United States (AFP) — Microsoft on Wednesday announced new options for United States (US) and European customers to safely extend the life of the Windows 10 operating system free of charge just days before a key deadline to upgrade to Windows 11.

The US tech giant plans to end support for Windows 10 on October 14, a move that has drawn criticism from consumer advocacy groups and sparked concerns among users who fear they’ll need to purchase new computers to stay protected from cyber threats.

Users who are unable to upgrade or choose to forgo the extended security updates will face increased vulnerability to cyberattacks.

In response to these concerns, Microsoft informed European users that essential security updates will be extended for one year at no additional cost, provided they log in with a Microsoft account.

Previously, the company had offered a one-year extension of Windows 10 security updates for $30 to users whose hardware is incompatible with Windows 11.

In the US, a similar free option will allow users to upload their Windows 10 profiles to Microsoft’s backup service and receive security updates for up to one year.

Alternatively, US customers can opt to pay $30 for the extension or redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points — earned through activity on the company’s platforms — to access the updates.

In Europe, advocacy groups have pushed for concessions.

French organisation Halte à l’Obsolescence Programmée (HOP) launched a petition demanding free updates through 2030.

Meanwhile, Germany’s Verbraucherzentrale consumer federation warned in May that Microsoft’s decision “worries consumers and limits their ability to make free purchasing choices.”

According to US-based Consumer Reports, an estimated 650 million people worldwide were still using Windows 10 as of August.