According to the latest report from the research company Canalys, Microsoft's decision to end support for Windows 10 could have disastrous consequences for the environment. It is estimated that even 240 million computers will become e-waste.
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The official end of support for the Windows 10 system is planned by Microsoft for October 2025. After this date, security updates will become paid and only available until October 2028. Analysts believe that such a decision may contribute to the emergence of a major environmental crisis.
According to a report by Canalys Research agency, due to the lack of compatibility with Windows 11, even 240 million personal computers may end up in landfills. The estimated weight of these e-waste reaches even 480 million kg – this is equivalent to 320 thousand passenger cars.
Analysts also note that even functional devices that do not meet the new requirements may end up in landfills. And although most of these computers can be recycled, their market value and the possibility of reuse will significantly decrease due to the lack of compatibility with the latest Microsoft operating system.
Another study by Lansweeper showed that even 42% of computers used in companies are not suitable for updating to Windows 11, which only exacerbates the problem with e-waste. Meanwhile, the end of support for Windows 10 may prompt at least 33% of consumers to replace their computers within the next two years. This, in turn, will generate additional demand for new devices. Canalys expects that the computer market in 2024 will increase by about 8%, especially due to the appearance of new devices supporting artificial intelligence.
Canalys experts also note that donating outdated computers to charitable organizations from an ecological perspective may be unprofitable and socially unsustainable. On the other hand, paid extended support for Windows 10 may be a barrier for many users, which will prompt them to migrate to more modern computers supporting Windows 11.
Despite the lack of regulations relating to taking appropriate actions in this matter, it seems that the only effective step that can reduce the problem of e-waste is cooperation between different industry sectors.
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