Originally published at: https://therestartproject.org/right-to-repair/windows-10/
On 14 October, Microsoft will end free support for Windows 10, pushing millions of PCs (almost half of all Windows computers) into premature obsolescence and generating avoidable e-waste. Ahead of International Repair Day, we’re joining circular economy and digital rights groups worldwide in pushing back against fast tech by renewing our call for UK policies to restrict premature obsolescence and for the UK government’s new Secretary of State for the Environment, Emma Reynolds, to prioritise a circular economy.
The reality of the end of 10
The end of free support for Windows 10 falls on the 14th October — ironically this is not only on International E-Waste Day but also only four days before International Repair Day. Around 400 million of the computers currently running Windows 10 will not be allowed to upgrade to Windows 11. This forces users to either buy new devices, join a Microsoft scheme for a temporary extension of support, switch to an alternative operating system, or risk using unsecure software.
If these computers are discarded as a result, it could generate over 700 million kg of e-waste, adding to the 62 billion kg of e-waste produced globally each year, of which the UK is the second highest producer per person.
But we’re taking action
The pushback is global, with national campaigns underway in France, Denmark, Germany, the US, and beyond.
Earlier this year, we responded to this issue by creating a toolkit to help community groups support people through the end of Windows 10. In the lead up to Repair Day, thousands of repair events around the world are breathing new life into laptops, saving people money and cutting waste. This growing movement is proof that people are rejecting fast tech.
We’ve also joined an international coalition of circular economy and digital rights experts in urging Microsoft to extend free, automatic support for Windows 10 via an open letter led by U.S. PIRG. And in the EU the Right to Repair Europe coalition (of which Restart belongs to) is calling on European Commissioner Jessika Roswall to protect citizens and businesses from software-driven obsolescence by introducing ambitious EU Ecodesign rules for devices like laptops.
“On International Repair Day we celebrate the power of communities around the world to resist premature obsolescence, implementing alternatives and sharing skills to protect people and the planet from manufacturers’ throwaway approaches. Meanwhile ironically the end of Windows 10 support coincides with ‘E-waste Day’.
We need Microsoft to extend free, automatic support for Windows 10. And we need legislation to make software obsolescence illegal for all products. Companies like Microsoft are getting away with mass e-waste flytipping. With the UK’s Circular Economy Strategy, the new DEFRA minister, Emma Reynolds has a chance to stop us sleep-walking into further software obsolescence disasters.”
– Fiona Dear, Co-Director, The Restart Project
Our ask to the UK government and to you
Now, here in the UK, we have a major opportunity to show our government that this type of waste cannot stand.
Through our Repair and Reuse Declaration, we have been urging the UK government to keep up with momentum in the EU. Our major opportunity to do this is via the Circular Economy Taskforce which was introduced by Steve Reed MP, to reduce the volume of waste produced by the UK. But our progress is at risk after Emma Reynolds’ appointment as the new Secretary of State for the Environment, whose recent announcement has left us keen to ensure that the circular economy does not drop off the list of priorities. Despite this setback, we know that repair and reuse is popular.
The e-waste mountain brought on by the end of Windows 10 will land while Reynolds prepares to release the recommendations of this Taskforce. So, for Repair Day, we are calling on you — our repair community — for a renewed push to invite MPs to visit your repair cafes and sign their support for the Repair and Reuse Declaration, pushing this issue back into the spotlight. 76 MPs are now signed up and, with your help, we can get to 100 supporting MPs before the year ends.