Microsoft Ending Windows 10 Support To Affect 240 Million PC Resulting Increase in E Waste All Details

After nearly 10 years of service, Microsoft is going to end the support of its Windows 10 operating system within the next two years. The operating system version will be “retired in 2025,” according to a Microsoft support document. Furthermore, it has also been reported that the current 22H2 will be the final version of Windows 10. Now, a global technology market analyst firm claims that Microsoft Corporation's decision to end support for the Windows 10 operating system could see the disposal of around 240 million personal computers (PCs).

According to Canalys Research, landfill waste will increase in large numbers due to the end of support for the Windows 10 operating system. The report claims that this decision of Microsoft Corporation may lead to disposal of approximately 240 million personal computers (PCs). The electronic waste generated from these PCs is estimated to weigh approximately 480 million kilograms, which is equivalent to the weight of 320,000 cars.

While many of these PCs may remain functional for years after OS support ends, Canalys warned that a lack of security updates could reduce demand for the devices.

Microsoft's plan includes providing security updates for Windows 10 devices until October 2028 for an undisclosed annual fee. Canalys suggested that if the pricing structure for extended Windows 10 support follows past trends, it may be more cost-effective to migrate to new PCs, allowing more older PCs to be discarded.

Microsoft aims to end support for Windows 10 by October 2025. The next generation, Windows 11, is expected to introduce advanced artificial intelligence technology to PCs, which could potentially help revive the sluggish PC market.

The report noted that hard drives used in personal computers and data storage servers are recycled to extract material for use in electric vehicle motors and renewable power generation.