Microsoft has officially ended support for Windows 10, even after many people asked them to reconsider. The Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) estimates this will result in a huge surge of discarded computers, potentially leaving around 500 million PCs without updates or security fixes.
Our team has been working hard to convince Microsoft to reconsider ending support for Windows 10. We believe this decision will unfortunately worsen the digital divide, creating more inequality in access to technology. We’re also concerned it will lead to a significant increase in electronic waste and, surprisingly, could actually *increase* cybersecurity risks for users.
Despite previous concerns, Microsoft confirmed that Windows 10 is no longer supported and released a final security update containing several fixes and improvements.
I’ve been hearing a lot of frustration about Microsoft ending support for Windows 10. Apparently, it’s really upset some people – The Register reported that there were even protests outside Microsoft’s office in Brussels! It just shows how much people rely on that operating system, and how disappointed they are to see it go.
The Right to Repair Europe group joined protests outside Microsoft’s Brussels office, highlighting how the company is making working computers unusable by ending free automatic updates for Windows 10. They aimed to expose this practice as a way of forcing people to buy new devices.
Currently, Windows 10 users who want continued security updates have limited choices: they can either pay for Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, link their PC settings to a Microsoft account, or redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points. However, Microsoft has changed course for users in the European Economic Area, now offering them free access to the ESU program without needing to meet those previous requirements.
The protesters weren’t impressed with Microsoft’s Extended Security Update program, calling it a temporary fix that only delays the problem for a year. They want Microsoft to continue providing free security updates for Windows 10 until 2030.
Microsoft ending support for Windows 10 risks creating a huge amount of electronic waste. Perfectly good computers will become unusable, not because they’re broken, but simply because the software will no longer be updated. This practice, where products are designed to become obsolete quickly and are difficult to fix, is harmful to both consumers and the environment. Current European Union regulations aren’t effectively addressing this problem. We need rules that require manufacturers to make devices easily repairable, provide long-term software updates, and protect consumers’ right to repair. Simply recycling old devices isn’t enough – the Circular Economy Act should focus on reusing and repairing products to avoid further environmental damage.
Cristina Ganapini, coordinator of Right to Repair Europe
A Microsoft representative told The Register that the company has announced it will stop supporting Windows 10.
Microsoft is dedicated to environmental sustainability and aims to be carbon negative, water positive, and zero waste by 2030. This commitment extends to creating devices that are easy to repair, reuse, and recycle. However, Europe is seeing a rise in cyberattacks – over 20% of EU businesses experienced a security issue in 2024. Older software makes businesses more vulnerable to hackers and data breaches. Keeping systems updated is crucial for protection. Windows 11 is Microsoft’s most secure operating system yet, showing a 62% decrease in security incidents overall, and a threefold reduction in attacks targeting the computer’s core software compared to Windows 10.
Microsoft is facing criticism for ending support for Windows 10, with some arguing this will unnecessarily force many people to replace computers that are still working perfectly well.
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2025-10-15 15:10