HP and Dell say half of today’s PCs still run Windows 10 — Microsoft’s cutoff nears, and Windows 11 upgrades may stretch into 2026

Users of Windows 10 will find their operating system discontinued by Microsoft around October 14, 2025. A public advocacy organization (PA) has urged the company to rethink this move, arguing that it would result in a massive increase in electronic waste, representing the largest jump ever recorded.

Approximately 400 million personal computers continue to run on Windows 10, even though its support is about to end. On the other hand, Windows 11 is steadily increasing in popularity and has already overtaken Windows 10 as the most commonly used desktop operating system.

Notably, two titans in the PC manufacturing industry, HP and Dell, have disclosed that as much as half of all computers are currently running Windows 10. These tech giants propose that users might not immediately upgrade to Windows 11, with this transition possibly extending well into 2026, according to ComputerWorld.

Several users have reported issues with gaining access to Microsoft’s expanded support plan for Windows 10. However, Microsoft has assured us that the service is being gradually released in stages and will become accessible to all users prior to discontinuing support for the operating system.

As a tech enthusiast, I’ve noticed a keen interest among enterprise customers in migrating to Windows 11. However, during the recent earnings call, HP CEO Enrique Lores hinted that smaller and medium-sized businesses might opt for Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates (ESU) program instead of upgrading right away. This program extends security support by an additional 12 months before they contemplate making the switch to a newer OS version.

A significant number of businesses, particularly smaller and mid-sized companies, have yet to transition to Windows 11 primarily due to financial constraints or a lack of compelling advantages that the upgrade presents.

Gartner Research Director, Ranjit Atwal

Did you know that after Windows 10 reaches its end, there are different ways to keep receiving security updates? You can choose to save your PC settings in the cloud using a Microsoft account, redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points, or opt for extended security updates (ESU) by paying $30. The ESU option now covers up to ten devices.

However, organizations such as ‘The Restart Project’ argue that Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates (ESU) program is merely a temporary solution, comparing it to a delayed alarm clock that extends the problem for another year.

Additionally, they have jointly created a resource called the “End of 10” toolkit aimed at assisting Windows 10 users who are unable to migrate to Windows 11. This kit provides useful tips for managing repairs and adapting to such events more effectively.

According to The Restart Project:

Microsoft’s choice hastens the discarding of products earlier than planned, which not only counteracts attempts to prolong their lifetimes but also strains our resources and waste disposal infrastructure by adding more pressure.”

Or:

“By choosing to dispose of products prematurely, Microsoft is hindering efforts to make them last longer, which ultimately puts extra strain on our resources and waste management systems, as well as accelerating the discarding of these products.

PC shipments and AI PC sales are on the rise

Since last year, there’s been a consistent upward trend in PC sales, and this pattern continues. In the latest quarter, HP saw an 8% rise in consumer PC shipments and a 3% growth in commercial PC shipments compared to the same period last year. Additionally, HP reported a 6% surge in revenue over the past year.

According to HP CEO Enrique Lores:

The interest in AI-powered computers will primarily stem from the variety of applications that are now leveraging these advanced features.

Despite a 7% decrease in consumer revenue, Dell managed to boost profits due to increased PC prices, as stated by Jeff Clarke, the company’s Vice Chairman. According to him:

We anticipate a steady increase in performance, primarily due to the ongoing PC replacement trend and the approaching end of support for Windows 10.

Following Gartner’s latest forecast, AI-powered PC sales are anticipated to surge to approximately 77.8 million units this year, representing around 31% of the global PC market. Even more noteworthy is the prediction that PC shipments could reach an impressive 143 million units next year, accounting for over half of all PC sales.

As a passionate user, I can’t help but voice my dismay as the impending end of Windows 10 becomes more evident. On social media platforms, users are openly sharing their frustrations, suggesting that Microsoft’s decision to discontinue this operating system might be disguised as a strategic move to boost sales of Copilot+ PCs and push for Windows 11 upgrades, which some perceive as programmed obsolescence.

One user expressed their discontent, stating, ‘I don’t need a new laptop; this one works just fine. Incidentally, I was able to sell the old RAM, which is unfortunate because I despise how the tech world seems to be turning the world into an endless cycle of constant upgrades.’ They aren’t alone in their feelings.

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2025-09-04 14:10