Originally published at: https://therestartproject.org/right-to-repair/windows-10-ends-today/
Today—International E-Waste Day—Microsoft has triggered a potential tsunami of e-waste by ending free and automatic software updates for hundreds of millions of computers running Windows 10. This isn’t just bad news for the environment, but also for the millions of people being left with unsupported and unsecure devices.
As celebrations of International Repair Day ramp up this week, we’re part of an international movement pressuring Microsoft to change course and calling on our governments for rules that prevent this kind of software obsolescence in the future.
Here in the UK, our new polling reveals that millions of people are affected and confirms just how popular such rules would be.
The End of Windows 10
Microsoft’s decision to stop supporting Windows 10 could make up to 400 million computers unsecure. Because Windows 11 has intentionally strict hardware requirements, millions of people must now either buy new devices, join a Microsoft scheme for a temporary extension of support, switch to an alternative operating system, or risk cybersecurity threats by using unsecure software.
This is a decision that could eventually lead to 700 million kg of electrical waste, adding to the 62 billion kg of e-waste produced globally each year.(1)
New polling we commissioned from YouGov reveals that 39% of British people still use a computer that runs Windows 10. Of those, 62% don’t have a plan to change computer or operating system in response to the ‘End of Windows 10’. In short, our polling suggests that—from today—around 13 million computers in the UK are now unprotected by software support from Microsoft.
But let’s be clear. The end of Windows 10 support is just one example of a systemic issue: software-driven obsolescence. Our YouGov polling also showed that 63% of British people have had to throw away an electrical product that they think should last longer in the last 3 years.
Without regulation, companies can cut off updates for devices—from laptops to medical equipment, smart home appliances, and fitness devices—forcing consumers to replace functional products.
This International Repair Day, we’re pushing back
Software obsolescence is not inevitable. Under pressure, Microsoft recently granted Windows 10 users in the European Economic Area (EEA) a one-year extension for free updates. While this is only hitting the “snooze button”, it shows that companies can be made to change course.
And this matters to everyone; our polling shows that 84% of Brits support legislation to end software obsolescence, ensuring that software and security updates match the full potential lifespan of all products with a plug or a battery.
This Saturday is International Repair Day. Across the globe over 3,000 repair events are planned in over 39 countries from South Korea to Panama, New Zealand to Moldova. Like every year, we’re celebrating how repair brings communities together, shares skills and reduces our environmental impact.
But this year, we’re also challenging the fast-growing stream of e-waste caused by software obsolescence. From repair cafés to special ‘End of Windows 10’ events (many using our guide for community groups), we’re helping each other find solutions for our Windows 10 devices as well as demanding better from companies and legislation to end software obsolescence.
Yesterday, we even joined our partners in the Right to Repair Europe campaign at a protest outside Microsoft’s Brussels offices, demanding free, automatic updates until at least 2030 and robust EU legislation to end planned obsolescence in Europe.
Join in!
No matter where you’re based, you can add your voice to the growing pushback and get support for your own Windows 10 device.
Find an event near you on the official map of International Repair Day events.
And if you’re in the UK, ask your MP to sign the Repair & Reuse Declaration. With the UK’s upcoming Circular Economy Strategy, the new DEFRA minister, Emma Reynolds has a chance to take action and stop us sleep-walking into further software obsolescence disasters. 80 MPs have already signed up to the Declaration – help us reach 100 to keep it on the agenda.
(1) Source: https://ewastemonitor.info/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/GEM_2024_18-03_web_page_per_page_web.pdf
Photo credit: The Restart Project