Technologies

You Can Snag Free Windows 10 Extended Security Updates From Microsoft. Here’s How

If you can’t upgrade to Windows 11, there are still two ways to keep access to Windows 10 security updates.

The era of Windows 10 is almost over. On Oct. 14, Microsoft will be stopping Windows 10 support, and there will be no more updates to the OS. If you can’t upgrade to Windows 11, don’t panic. For $30 you can snag a year of security updates to keep your OS safe. Alternatively, you can take advantage of this free option by enabling cloud backup and connecting it to your OneDrive account.

The ability to get free updates on Windows 10 is a pretty big deal because it is still the most widely used Windows OS, accounting for just over 53% of installs as of May 2025. That leaves millions of people without security support in just a month unless they upgrade. The cloud backup option gives users a way out without costing them any money.

The only potential issue is OneDrive. Anyone with a Microsoft account gets up to 5GB of storage for free. However, as The Verge points out, some backups may exceed this limitation, requiring users to purchase a monthly or yearly plan. At $2 a month for 100GB of cloud storage, a year of OneDrive still costs less than the $30 for a year of additional security updates, but it may still cause frustration among some customers.

Windows 10 was released more than a decade ago, in July 2015.

Don’t miss any of our unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews. Add CNET as a preferred Google source.

How to get Windows 10 security updates for free

Per Microsoft’s blog post, there are now three options for those who want to stay on Windows 10 and still receive security updates:

Use Windows Backup to sync settings to the cloud via OneDrive.
Redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points. Redeeming those points can buy you one year of security updates.
Pay $30 for the Extended Security Updates program.

These options are available now. Microsoft began offering its Extended Security Updates program in July. Signing up for this option will guarantee updates until Oct. 13, 2026, although businesses will have the option to purchase up to three years of additional updates. So, this isn’t a long-term solution, but rather gives you more time to upgrade to Windows 11.

It’s been an uphill battle for Microsoft, as people have been reluctant to upgrade their existing hardware. There are myriad differences between the two operating systems, but Microsoft’s string of unpopular decisions along with Windows 11 compatibility issues have kept the prior generation OS around a lot longer than it normally would be.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Sunday, Nov. 9

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for Nov. 9.

Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today’s Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.

Need some help with today’s Mini Crossword? There are a couple of tricky ones today. (8-Across, for one.) Read on for the answers. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.

If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword

Let’s get to those Mini Crossword clues and answers.

Mini across clues and answers

1A clue: Croat or Bulgarian
Answer: SLAV

5A clue: No-___ Texas Hold’em (poker variety)
Answer: LIMIT

7A clue: Proof you weren’t part of the crime, say
Answer: ALIBI

8A clue: Roll around in the morning?
Answer: BAGEL

9A clue: Purchase price
Answer: COST

Mini down clues and answers

1D clue: Thick piece of concrete
Answer: SLAB

2D clue: Light purple
Answer: LILAC

3D clue: Ol’ buddy ol’ pal
Answer: AMIGO

4D clue: Has good chemistry (with)
Answer: VIBES

6D clue: Lean to one side
Answer: TILT

Technologies

Today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for Nov. 9, #412

Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for Nov. 9, No. 412.

Looking for the most recent regular Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle and Strands puzzles.

Today’s Connections: Sports Edition is a fun one, especially if you’re from the City of Angels. If you’re struggling but still want to solve it, read on for hints and the answers.

Connections: Sports Edition is published by The Athletic, the subscription-based sports journalism site owned by the Times. It doesn’t show up in the NYT Games app but appears in The Athletic’s own app. Or you can play it for free online.

Read more: NYT Connections: Sports Edition Puzzle Comes Out of Beta

Hints for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.

Yellow group hint: Up into the air!

Green group hint: Tinseltown teams.

Blue group hint: The Metrodome is another one.

Purple group hint: Artsy Olympics.

Answers for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Yellow group: Leap.

Green group: Los Angeles teams.

Blue group: Former NFL stadiums.

Purple group: Rhythmic gymnastics apparatus.

Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words

What are today’s Connections: Sports Edition answers?

The yellow words in today’s Connections

The theme is leap. The four answers are bound, hop, jump and spring.

The green words in today’s Connections

The theme is Los Angeles teams. The four answers are Chargers, Dodgers, Sparks and Trojans.

The blue words in today’s Connections

The theme is former NFL stadiums. The four answers are Candlestick, Giants, Silverdome and Veterans.

The purple words in today’s Connections

The theme is rhythmic gymnastics apparatus. The four answers are clubs, hoop, ribbon and rope.

Technologies

Verum Messenger Update: The voice of the universe now sounds clearer

The new version of Verum Messenger brings advanced microphone modes — Automatic, Standard, Voice Isolation, and Wide Spectrum. Choose how your voice will sound — focused, natural, or cosmically wide.

Anonymity. Energy. Freedom.

Your words move through protected channels, dissolving in a space with no surveillance, no borders — only Verum, the flow of truth and silence.