Windows 10 end-of-life support on Oct 14, 2025 onward question

[Dave3000]

I read that Windows 10 will be end-of-life support start Oct 14, 2025. From what I understand from this is that Windows 10 will not receive anymore free updates from that date onward but if you want to continue receiving updates from that date onward, they will only be security updates, and you must pay an annual fee to receive ongoing security updates for Windows 10 from that date onward. Does that mean that if I reinstall Windows 10 on or after that date, the servers will not be available for downloading Windows updates even the Windows updates that are older than Oct 14, 2025, if I don't pay the annual fee? Also, I'm guessing, but suppose I do pay the annual fee to be eligible to receive ongoing security updates after that date, will I have to download the updates logged into my online account, or I still be able to download updates without being logged in to my online account?

 

[crashtech]

I don't know about this stuff, but I want to follow along. Windows 11 has been a negative on every PC I've installed it on. Some stuff just seems to break.