Microsoft’s decision to end support for Windows 10 in October 2025 could mean a massive upgrade cycle for PC makers, businesses and users. At the same time, however, according to research firm Canalys, it may greatly increase e-waste. The company Canalys estimates that due to their incompatibility with the latest version of Microsoft’s operating system, Windows 11, about 240 million computers will be rendered useless. And this situation raises concerns, as all these computers may end up in landfills.
The arrival of Windows 11 in late 2021 may not have spurred massive PC sales, but the end of Windows 10 support in late 2025 may mark a turning point for the long-troubled PC market, prompting users and businesses to upgrade their systems. However, the end of support for Windows 10 and its phasing out threatens the usefulness of many existing computers and devices and is expected to significantly affect market dynamics. Canalys estimates that the market is set to grow by 8% in 2024 as consumers look to replace their older PCs with models compatible with Windows 11 or possibly Windows 12.
When the specifications and system requirements for Windows 11 were announced, there were many things that prevented Windows 10-compatible PCs from “running” the Windows 11 operating system, including at least a 64-bit dual-core processor, at least 4 GB of RAM , at least 64 GB of storage space, and UEFI firmware with Secure Boot instead of the older BIOS. Additionally, a critical requirement was TPM version 2.0 for increased security (essentially replacing TPM version 1.2 supported by some Windows 10 devices). Windows 11 also requires a DirectX 12 or later compatible GPU with a WDDM 2.x driver, which left out many older iGPUs. According to Canalys, approximately 240 million PCs do not meet Windows 11 compliance requirements, and therefore, with Windows 10’s support deadline of October 25, 2024, most of them automatically become obsolete and obsolete.
Although recycling remains a viable option, the lack of compatibility of these computers with the latest version of Windows 11 essentially devalues them and makes it difficult to upgrade them. Therefore, despite today’s greater possibilities in the area of upgrading and refurbishing, most of these computers are expected to end up in landfills, which undoubtedly poses a major challenge for e-waste management. In response to these concerns, Microsoft announced that with the availability of Extended Security Updates for Windows 10, support for the operating system can be extended until October 2028, although there will be a cost. Be that as it may, this particular scenario shows the increased responsibility that hardware and software manufacturers now have to develop products with a longer life cycle. Canalys argues that an emphasis on durability, repairability and recyclability is vital to reducing e-waste.
This approach, combined with more long-term software support can significantly extend the life of devices, promoting a more sustainable and circular economy.
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