With Windows 10's end-of-support date now just over two months away, people still on Windows 10 need to make a choice. Microsoft has put forward two options: you can either ditch your PC and buy a new Windows 11 one, or you can enroll in one of its three plans to give people extended security updates for Windows 10. Fortunately, there are other options available, such as forcing Windows 11 on your unsupported PC or, you know, invoking a certain operating system that begins with "L", but Microsoft doesn't like those ones, so you're officially given the earlier two choices.

If you want to extend your support, you have three ways to do that: use the Windows Backup feature, pay 1,000 Microsoft Points, or fork over $30. And, obviously, the first two features require a Microsoft Account, which isn't ideal for people who prefer local accounts. Well, if you were thinking about paying up to keep your local accounts intact, Microsoft has some bad news.

Extending your Windows 10 support requires signing in to a Microsoft Account

In a post on Microsoft Support (thanks for the spot, Windows Central!), the company details how Windows 10 users can extend their security support for another year. Its official name is the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, so keep an eye out for ESU-related stuff in the future if you're planning on giving your copy of Windows 10 another year on the calendar.

The post details what we knew already. The extended updates are just for security and won't add any new features or fixes. It also means that Microsoft won't give you tech support if something goes wrong. You also need to run Windows 10, version 22H2 Home, Professional, Pro Education, or Workstation, and have your system fully updated.

However, mixed in with the details is this key takeaway:

The ESU license is tied to your Microsoft account, so you may be prompted to sign in if you typically sign into Windows with a local account

[...]

All enrollment options provide extended security updates through October 13, 2026. You will need to sign into your Microsoft account in order to enroll in ESU. You’ll be given these options to choose from when you enroll in the ESU program.

This does mean that, if you're using a local account on Windows 10, you'll have to change to a Microsoft Account login with ESU enrolment to continue getting security updates. Not good news for the privacy-minded.

However, there is some good news. Microsoft has also confirmed that "You can use your existing ESU license on up to 10 devices," which is excellent news for anyone who has multiple Windows 10 sitting around. Despite this, it seems that people who don't want to make a Windows Account are probably better off finding a new operating system that suits their needs as closely as possible.