Windows 10 expires in 1 year, junking millions of PCs. Here’s how we pushed Microsoft to extend support for schools and why we’re advocating for more.

Update: The day after we called for further action, Microsoft announced individuals would be able to extend support for Windows 10 for 1 year for $30. We’re excited that—for the first time—Microsoft will allow consumers to buy extended support after consumers advocated for longer-lasting PCs. However, it’s still not clear how its decision to end support will affect Microsoft’s ambitious climate goals. Microsoft should study the effects of extending support, and we believe the best way to stop e-waste would be to extend support for everyone automatically.

As Microsoft prepares to announce what will likely be record earnings today, a ticking time bomb threatens to undermine the tech giant’s environmental commitments and flood the world with electronic waste: The expiration of Windows 10 in October 2025.

In one year, Microsoft plans to end support for Windows 10, potentially rendering up to 400 million computers obsolete overnight. This decision could trigger the single largest surge in junked computers in history, with dire consequences for both consumers and the environment.

PIRG’s Lucas Rockett Gutterman at Microsoft headquarters in Redmond, WA attempts to deliver 20,000 petition signatures. (Ultimately delivered electronically.)Photo by Staff | TPIN

The numbers are staggering. Approximately 40% of PCs currently in use cannot upgrade to Windows 11 due to hardware limitations. According to StatsCounter, 63% of PCs are still on Windows 10. When security updates for Windows 10 cease, these machines will either become vulnerable to cyber attacks or be discarded. Given that only 22% of electronic waste is recycled, according to the UN’s 2024 Electronic Waste Monitor, the majority of these devices are destined for landfills.

We deserve better than a world where nothing is designed to last, which is why we’ve been pushing Microsoft to extend support. On April 3, 2024, the tech giant revealed that schools can now pay as little as $1 per computer to extend their Windows 10 security updates. This decision comes in response to mounting pressure from consumers and advocacy groups, including PIRG’s campaign that delivered more than 20,000 petition signatures calling for extended support of Windows 10 devices. Our campaign follows PIRG’s successful effort to extend support for Google Chromebooks to 10 years. 

Under Microsoft’s new policy, schools can keep Windows 10 computers in classrooms safe from attacks for three additional years by paying $1 per computer for the first year, $2 the following year, and $4 the third year. Small businesses and other commercial customers will need to pay $61 in the first year, a cost that will double each year thereafter. For the first time, consumers will be able to purchase extended support, although prices have not been announced.

While this is a step in the right direction, we continue to push for an automatic extension of essential security updates for Windows 10 to prevent this jump in e-waste. 

Extending support is the only way Microsoft can meet their ambitious sustainability goal of becoming carbon negative by 2030. Manufacturing of these soon-to-be-obsolete devices has already resulted in 46 million tons of carbon pollution, the equivalent to adding 9 million cars to the road for a year. 

We deserve better than a world where nothing’s designed to last. We cannot allow arbitrary software expirations to drive a cycle of waste and unnecessary replacement. Other companies are committing to longer lasting products: Google announced they would extend support of Chromebooks to 10 years, and Samsung has committed to 7-years of support for their Smartphones and Smart TVs. 

Microsoft has the power to make a significant positive impact by extending Windows 10 support. Doing so would not only align with their stated environmental goals but also demonstrate true corporate responsibility in the face of our growing e-waste challenge.

The one-year countdown clock is ticking. While Microsoft is celebrating their earnings, the company should decide to lead the technology industry to support longer lasting products. Automatically extending Windows 10 could stop the largest surge of junked computers and help the tech giant meet its ambitious sustainability goals.