As Microsoft approaches the sunset of support for Windows 10, concerns are mounting over the environmental and consumer impact of transitioning to Windows 11. Despite Microsoft's efforts to promote its latest operating system, Windows 11 has struggled to gain significant market traction, leaving millions of functional PCs at risk of becoming electronic waste when Windows 10 support officially ends on October 14, 2025.
The slow uptake of Windows 11 is a critical factor influencing the impending end of support for its predecessor. Since its release, Windows 11 has introduced several updates, including the recent 24H2 release, which incorporated features such as Rust integration into the Windows kernel, support for SHA-3 encryption, and the introduction of Sudo for Windows. However, these enhancements have not sufficiently addressed the core concerns of users with older hardware, leading to continued resistance to the upgrade.
While these options provide a temporary solution, they place an additional financial burden on individuals and organizations, particularly those unable or unwilling to invest in new hardware compatible with Windows 11. The looming end of support for Windows 10 raises significant concerns about data security, as unsupported systems will no longer receive critical updates to protect against emerging threats.
Lucas Rockett Gutterman, PIRG's Designed to Last Campaign Director, criticized Microsoft's approach, stating, "It's outrageous that Microsoft, while touting its environmental credentials, is planning to effectively trash 400 million working computers. This isn't just environmentally harmful. It's a blatant disregard for consumers who are being forced to replace functional devices."
The concern revolves around the planned phasing out of support for Windows 10, which could render many existing PCs obsolete if users cannot upgrade to Windows 11 due to hardware limitations. The environmental impact is significant, considering the sheer volume of devices that could end up in landfills, contributing to the growing e-waste crisis.
Microsoft's ongoing updates, including the latest 24H2 release, have introduced advanced features such as Rust in the Windows kernel and enhanced security protocols. However, these improvements have not addressed the critical issue of hardware requirements that prevent many users from upgrading. The lack of compatibility with older systems means that a significant portion of the Windows 10 user base remains stuck on a platform that will soon lose official support.
Without a significant increase in Windows 11 adoption, the transition may lead to a fractured user base, with many still reliant on Windows 10 long after its support has expired. This scenario poses risks not only to data security but also to the sustainability of hardware usage.
The disconnect between Microsoft's environmental messaging and the planned end of support for a widely used operating system has sparked a broader conversation about the responsibilities of technology companies in managing e-waste. Campaigners contend that more robust measures are needed to ensure the longevity and sustainability of electronic devices, rather than relying on continuous hardware upgrades.
The criticism from campaigners highlights a critical need for more sustainable and consumer-friendly approaches to operating system transitions. Balancing technological advancement with environmental responsibility and user accessibility remains a pivotal challenge for Microsoft and the broader tech industry.
Source: The Register Windows 11 continues to creep up behind Windows 10
Sluggish Adoption of Windows 11
According to data compiled by StatCounter, Windows 11 held a 35.55% share of the desktop Windows market in October 2023. This figure highlights a gradual but persistent decline in Windows 10's dominance, which dropped to 60.97% from 69.9% in April of the same year. Unless there is a substantial surge in Windows 11 adoption, it is unlikely to capture the majority of the market by the time Microsoft phases out free updates for Windows 10.The slow uptake of Windows 11 is a critical factor influencing the impending end of support for its predecessor. Since its release, Windows 11 has introduced several updates, including the recent 24H2 release, which incorporated features such as Rust integration into the Windows kernel, support for SHA-3 encryption, and the introduction of Sudo for Windows. However, these enhancements have not sufficiently addressed the core concerns of users with older hardware, leading to continued resistance to the upgrade.
Implications of Ending Windows 10 Support
The cessation of support for Windows 10 will have far-reaching consequences for users and businesses alike. Microsoft has outlined a pricing structure for extended security updates beyond the October 2025 deadline. Consumers will be required to pay $30 annually to maintain security patches, enterprises will face a cost of $61 per device, and users in the education sector will benefit from a nominal fee of $1 for the first year.While these options provide a temporary solution, they place an additional financial burden on individuals and organizations, particularly those unable or unwilling to invest in new hardware compatible with Windows 11. The looming end of support for Windows 10 raises significant concerns about data security, as unsupported systems will no longer receive critical updates to protect against emerging threats.
Environmental Concerns: A Growing E-Waste Crisis
The transition away from Windows 10 is not merely a technical or financial issue; it also poses a substantial environmental threat. Campaigners, led by the Public Interest Research Group (PIRG), have voiced strong objections to Microsoft's strategy, highlighting the potential for millions of perfectly functional PCs to be discarded as e-waste.Lucas Rockett Gutterman, PIRG's Designed to Last Campaign Director, criticized Microsoft's approach, stating, "It's outrageous that Microsoft, while touting its environmental credentials, is planning to effectively trash 400 million working computers. This isn't just environmentally harmful. It's a blatant disregard for consumers who are being forced to replace functional devices."
The concern revolves around the planned phasing out of support for Windows 10, which could render many existing PCs obsolete if users cannot upgrade to Windows 11 due to hardware limitations. The environmental impact is significant, considering the sheer volume of devices that could end up in landfills, contributing to the growing e-waste crisis.
Challenges in Enhancing the Windows 11 Experience
Despite multiple updates aimed at improving functionality and security, Windows 11 has faced criticism regarding its user experience and compatibility with older hardware. Earlier in the year, Mikhail Parakhin, then the head of Windows Advertising and Web Services, acknowledged that aspects of the Windows 11 experience were falling short of user expectations. Parakhin pledged to "make Start menu great again," but subsequently departed Microsoft to take on the role of Chief Technology Officer at Shopify.Microsoft's ongoing updates, including the latest 24H2 release, have introduced advanced features such as Rust in the Windows kernel and enhanced security protocols. However, these improvements have not addressed the critical issue of hardware requirements that prevent many users from upgrading. The lack of compatibility with older systems means that a significant portion of the Windows 10 user base remains stuck on a platform that will soon lose official support.
Historical Context and Future Projections
The situation with Windows 11 mirrors the transition challenges faced during previous upgrades. For instance, in January 2019, as the end-of-support for Windows 7 loomed, Windows 10 commanded a substantial 53.18% of the market share compared to Windows 7's 35.05%. Windows 11 has not yet reached a comparable level of adoption, suggesting that it may take considerable time, if at all, to achieve similar dominance before the end of Windows 10's lifecycle.Without a significant increase in Windows 11 adoption, the transition may lead to a fractured user base, with many still reliant on Windows 10 long after its support has expired. This scenario poses risks not only to data security but also to the sustainability of hardware usage.
Microsoft's Environmental Messaging Under Scrutiny
Microsoft has positioned itself as an environmentally conscious technology leader, promoting initiatives aimed at reducing its carbon footprint and enhancing the sustainability of its products. However, the potential disposal of millions of functional PCs stands in stark contrast to these environmental commitments. Critics argue that Microsoft's current approach to phasing out Windows 10 undermines its environmental goals by promoting the unnecessary disposal of existing hardware.The disconnect between Microsoft's environmental messaging and the planned end of support for a widely used operating system has sparked a broader conversation about the responsibilities of technology companies in managing e-waste. Campaigners contend that more robust measures are needed to ensure the longevity and sustainability of electronic devices, rather than relying on continuous hardware upgrades.
Conclusion
As Microsoft moves towards concluding support for Windows 10, the limited adoption of Windows 11 raises serious concerns about both consumer rights and environmental sustainability. The planned transition threatens to render millions of functional PCs obsolete, contributing to the growing issue of electronic waste. While Microsoft continues to develop and update Windows 11, the lack of accelerated adoption and failure to address hardware compatibility issues may leave many users with no viable path forward, forcing them into costly upgrades or premature hardware disposal.The criticism from campaigners highlights a critical need for more sustainable and consumer-friendly approaches to operating system transitions. Balancing technological advancement with environmental responsibility and user accessibility remains a pivotal challenge for Microsoft and the broader tech industry.
Source: The Register Windows 11 continues to creep up behind Windows 10