The Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) has recently submitted a petition to Microsoft urging them to extend support for Windows 10. Currently, it is estimated that there are around 400 million PCs worldwide, out of a total of 1 billion, that are unable to run Windows 11 due to strict system requirements of the latter. These users will now face the dilemma of having to throw away their PCs and purchase new ones since they will not be able to upgrade to Windows 11 in 2025 when Windows 10 will no longer be supported or updated.
The petition, "call on Microsoft to save 400 million PCs," has already garnered support from over 20 thousand individuals. Those interested in rallying behind this cause can still show their support by visiting the project website.
Lucas Rockett Gutterman, the head of PIRG, explained to the media that it simply doesn't make sense for Microsoft to compel educational institutions, schools, and government agencies to recycle and replace fully functional computers, which continue to serve students and patients effectively. The simplest solution, according to Gutterman, would be for Microsoft to expand their support.
Addressed directly to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, the petition criticizes the company's current plans and emphasizes users' expectations that their devices should have a long lifespan, rather than being rendered obsolete by arbitrary decisions made by Microsoft. PIRG warns that disposing of such a large quantity of hardware in landfills contradicts the company's claims on environmental matters.
The petition says that while it is true that all software eventually becomes unsupported, users should not accept it when the environmental consequences are so significant.
In addition to the negative impact on consumers, Gutterman highlighted the detrimental effect on the environment as outdated computers will contribute to the growing problem of toxic e-waste.
Experts predict that when Windows 10 updates are discontinued in 2025, users will be faced with difficult and potentially costly decisions. While Windows 10 devices will not suddenly stop working, individuals worldwide will need to consider either switching to alternative operating systems or upgrading their hardware to ensure compatibility with Windows 11 and maintain optimal security.
Interestingly, Microsoft recently released comprehensive instructions for users on how to download and install Linux on a PC as part of their information portal termed "Linux Resources at Microsoft." Furthermore, Microsoft continues its active engagement with the Open Source developer community. Microsoft explained that Linux, being an open-source and highly customizable operating system similar to Windows, comes in various versions. To install Linux, users need to select a preferred installation method and Linux distribution.
According to the StatCounter platform, as of October 2023, Windows 10 still enjoys widespread popularity among users worldwide, with its market share only experiencing a gradual decline of 8% since 2021.
On September 20, 2022, a Microsoft representative confirmed the end of support for Windows 10 Home and Pro. This will happen according to the previously announced plan for October 2025.
In February 2023, Microsoft stopped selling digital versions of Windows 10 Home and Pro in its Store. The company advised users to immediately upgrade to the newer and more modern Windows 11 operating system.
At the end of September 2023, Microsoft blocked the ability to activate new builds of Windows 10/11 with working keys from older versions of the Windows 7/8/8.1 operating systems.
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I am confused by the last sentence in the first paragraph.
“These users will now face the dilemma of having to throw their PCs and purchase new ones since they will not be able to upgrade to Windows 11 until 2025.”
I think you meant this:
“These users will now face the dilemma of having to throw away their PCs and purchase new ones since they will not be able to upgrade to Windows 11 in 2025 when Windows 10 will no longer be supported or updated.”
Thanks! Changed.
No one needs to throw away their PC’s, there are other OS’s. I expect someone out there will find the idea of selling 400 million OS’s very appealing, and very PROFITABLE !!!
No one’s going to move to Linux. People will just stay on 10, whether it’s in support or not, the same way they stayed with XP and 7 way past EOL.
The nerds will use workarounds to upgrade their “unsupported” PCs to 11.
I do hear what you are saying, however, a lot of people are very upset with Microsoft. Mainly because of this Windows 11 stunt. So, it should be possible to make $10- profit per sale of a new OS. That means with 400 million potential customers, the potential profit is $4 billion. Someone, somewhere, is going to find this proposition too attractive to ignore. Therefore, a brand new OS, and a nice one at that, compatible with every PC, new or old, may just pop out of nowhere, and stun the world. –
I think Linux is ready for most people today. I’ve been using Linux for 20 years and have seen the development in just the last maybe 5 years on the desktop become very easy. Today, it’s much easier to install Linux than Windows (if you have hardware support) of course.
But unfortunately, I think like you, it probably won’t happen that people switch to Linux (unless something big happens). I think people should try Linux and see for themselves. I often recommend Pop!_OS as it’s easy and quick to install. The installation takes about 2 minutes and you can test run Pop!_OS on a USB stick beforehand.
What do you have to lose? A little bit of your time perhaps.
ENTER AMAZON’S NEW O.S. !!! – TOLD YOU SO !!! –
And one of the fastest growing usergroups on the planet are online gamers who require windows10 or better to run and wont run on other OS’s, and we also usually have THE most expensive hardware in our gaming PC’s…
Extend win 10 for at least 10 years.
looks like Microsoft will NOT be planning to extend Windows 10 support as written by this zdnet article:
https://www.zdnet.com/article/hoping-for-a-windows-10-support-extension-microsoft-just-quietly-crushed-your-dreams/
that’s a pity.