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Microsoft Came to Bargain: Use OneDrive for Device Backup, Opt into Loyalty Program and Use Their Products Till You Earn 1000 Points or Pay $30 and They Might Give You Security Updates till Oct 2026. (blogs.windows.com)

submitted 1 day ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

50 comments fedilink hide all child comments

An enrollment wizard will be available through notifications and in Settings, making it easy to enroll in ESU directly from your personal Windows 10 PC. Through the enrollment wizard, you’ll be able to choose from three options:

Use Windows Backup to sync your settings to the cloud—at no additional cost..

Redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points

Pay $30 USD (local pricing may vary).

Once you select an option and follow the on-screen steps, your PC will automatically be enrolled. ESU coverage for personal devices runs from Oct. 15, 2025, through Oct. 13, 2026. Starting today, the enrollment wizard is available in the Windows Insider Program and will begin rolling out as an option to Windows 10 customers in July, with broad availability expected by mid-August

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[–] [email protected] 8 points 22 hours ago (4 children)

I use Linux, it's FREE!

[–] [email protected] 2 points 18 hours ago (1 children)

Windows Homs is free, too.

But here's the thing that many people (not you) don't understand. Windows Home is free, as in beer. Linux is free, as in speech, AND free, as in beer.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 15 hours ago (1 children)

Windows Home isn't free (legally), you can't just install it and have a valid license available without paying money. Most people think Windows is free because you're paying for the license when you buy a prebuilt, you're just not seeing the line item cost.

But either way, Home is a trash fire. At least Pro lets you control more of the annoying aspects of the OS. Home you're just opening up for whatever MS wants to shove down your throat. And even then, just run linux. That's actually free, and a better experience.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 5 hours ago (1 children)

Download the iso and install home. It won't stop you, ask for a key, or attempt to activate later. It just installs, runs, and spies happily.

But, yes, I suppose that you're supposed to pay for it, but they don't seem to care that much, if at all.

I agree that Windows Pro is a slightly better experience than Windows Home, but the right Linux distro for you is where it's at. I usually recommend Mint for newcomers, and not one has had issues (beyond the expected "this looks different" comments). I've installed Elementary for one person who came from a life of Mac, and she dove right in with almost no hiccups. Know your audience, I guess is the lesson here lol

[–] [email protected] 1 points 5 hours ago

Download the iso and install home. It won't stop you, ask for a key, or attempt to activate later. It just installs, runs, and spies happily.

Well sure, anything is free when you steal it. Whether or not they care enough to come after home users, doesn't change the fact that it's not free.

But yea, know your audience and give them something they can use. I made my mother learn mint after the 80th time I had to clean the windows box, and she did well enough with it.

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