Microsoft’s plan to finish assist for Home windows 10 in 2025 may render lots of of hundreds of thousands of still-functional computer systems out of date and create an environmental catastrophe, in keeping with shopper advocacy group Public Curiosity Analysis Group (PIRG).
On Tuesday, PIRG delivered a petition with 20,000 signatures to Microsoft headquarters, calling on the tech big to proceed offering safety updates for Home windows 10 previous its introduced end-of-life date. If Microsoft doesn’t lengthen assist, as much as 400 million of the 1 billion Home windows 10 units at present in use may very well be in danger, the group warned.
“Microsoft abandoning Home windows 10 may trigger the obsolescence of extra computer systems than any single motion ever,” mentioned Lucas Rockett Gutterman, PIRG’s Designed to Final Marketing campaign Director, in a press release. “Microsoft must rethink this choice and proceed offering safety updates for the hundreds of thousands of people that can’t improve their computer systems, for the sake of each their funds and the surroundings.”
The issue stems from Home windows 11’s steeper {hardware} necessities, which render many older however nonetheless purposeful PCs incompatible with the latest Home windows model. With out continued Home windows 10 assist, these units will both develop into insecure over time or be discarded, including to the rising e-waste disaster.
Home windows 10 not supported? Dangerous for the buyer, actually dangerous for the planet!
E-waste is poisonous when dumped in landfills, PIRG famous. Solely 25% of discarded electronics are at present recycled within the U.S., in keeping with Environmental Safety Company estimates.
Of their petition to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, the group argued that “Microsoft’s choice to cease supporting hundreds of thousands of purposeful computer systems in our hospitals, companies, and houses is a uncooked deal for patrons who anticipate their costly units to final.”
Gutterman accused Microsoft of backtracking on earlier commitments to backward compatibility and longevity. The corporate supported Home windows XP for 13 years and ensured most older PCs may run Home windows 10 at launch. In distinction, instantly discontinuing Home windows 10 assist strands customers who can’t afford upgrades or new units, he mentioned.
Microsoft has pledged to develop into carbon-negative by 2030. However PIRG believes this Home windows 10 choice alone may generate 46 million tons of emissions by pushing new manufacturing. That’s equal to including 9 million automobiles to the highway for a yr, in keeping with their estimates.
“Given these previous actions of Microsoft, it’s stunning that the corporate is forcing the transition to Home windows 11,” Gutterman mentioned. “Not solely is that this dangerous for customers, it’s additionally dangerous for the planet.”
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