Just 2 years after the release of Windows 11 in 2021, Microsoft announced the end of Windows 10 support updates.
The tech giant Microsoft projected to end Windows 10 support updates in October 2025, a move that would eventually lead to environmental issues.
Over 240 million PCs would be sent to the scrap yard. This is a result of most old PCs not meeting the hardware requirements for the new Windows 11.
We predict that approximately one-fifth of Windows 10 devices will become useless. “Despite the channel’s growing capabilities to support circularity, partners cannot refurbish and resell PCs unsupported by Windows 11,” says Canalys in a blog post.
For old hardware to support Windows 11, it requires compulsorily Trusted Platform Module 2.0 (TPM) functionality. This has never happened before, but if yours has this, then you can upgrade to Windows 11. If not, you can either use your PC as it is or plan for a new purchase.
Although you can continue using Windows 10 without support updates, there is a way to extend support for 3 years. Microsoft offers extended paid support to Windows 10 devices, as with Windows 7 in 2015.
The issue with Windows 7 is that Microsoft increased the cost of the updates every year, which we could see happening to Windows 10.
Manufacturer’s Joy
This is good news for PC manufacturers, as it would increase sales of newer PCs by 8% next year, which goes contrary to this year’s sales slump, especially for Apple, which has struggled with sales this year.
Microsoft needs to reconsider this move, or Windows 10 users have to prepare for a new purchase. But I don’t see the former happening as we know it would hurt the partner’s foreseen new sales.
Microsoft has yet to respond to high-profile calls to action on this issue, but there is an idea of the reply. The possible reply could include Microsoft keeping the pricing of the extended support under control, unlike the Windows 7 escalated pricing.