Last week, Microsoft’s announcement to discontinue support for Windows 10 left a significant portion of its user base—approximately 40 percent—facing a dilemma. While the option to upgrade to Windows 11 exists for some, a considerable number of devices do not meet the necessary technical specifications. This situation has prompted many users to ponder alternatives to either discarding their current devices or risking exposure to outdated software.
The tech giant has encountered criticism from both environmental and cybersecurity advocates following its decision. Experts have raised alarms about the potential consequences of rendering countless devices obsolete, which could exacerbate the ongoing crisis of electronic waste (e-waste) and expose users unable to upgrade to heightened cybersecurity risks. Researchers from Georgia Tech’s School of Interactive Computing (SIC) and School of Cybersecurity and Privacy (SCP) have voiced similar concerns.
According to one analysis, the forced obsolescence of devices could lead to as many as 240 million old devices ending up in landfills. “The problem of e-waste raises the question of why and how these technologies become obsolete,” remarked Cindy Lin, a Stephen Fleming Early Career Assistant Professor in SIC. Lin, who studies data structures and environmental governance, pointed out that many technologies suffer from planned obsolescence, a design strategy that shortens product lifespans and amplifies consumption and waste.
When e-waste is discarded, the organic materials within these devices decompose, releasing methane—a potent greenhouse gas. Furthermore, the production of new devices necessitates the extraction and processing of raw materials, a process that consumes vast amounts of energy, often derived from fossil fuels.
The Problem With Hackers
While Microsoft has committed to providing Windows 10 security updates for the next year, users are still under pressure to transition to Windows 11. By this time next year, those who have not upgraded may find themselves vulnerable to cyber threats. For instance, users might receive phishing emails masquerading as communications from Microsoft, sent by hackers impersonating the company.
Mustaque Ahamad, Regents’ Entrepreneur Professor and interim chair of SCP, emphasized the serious cybersecurity implications of this situation. “New vulnerabilities in Windows 10 will remain unpatched for a large segment of its user base,” he stated. “These users will become prime targets for hackers and cybercriminals, who can exploit these vulnerabilities, making their machines more susceptible to attacks such as ransomware and data exfiltration.”
What Can Users Do?
The financial burden of purchasing a new device can be substantial, typically starting around 0 and soaring to over ,500 for high-end gaming computers. However, Josiah Hester, an associate professor in the School of IC with a focus on computing and sustainability, suggests that users looking to extend the life of their devices might consider installing Linux Mint, a free and user-friendly operating system designed for those accustomed to Windows.
“I would hope that instead of discarding, people might see this as an opportunity to explore a more open ecosystem like Linux Mint,” Hester noted. “So much perfectly good hardware is rendered obsolete by force, even when users are eager to give it a second life.” Linux Mint is open-source and includes a suite of software products, such as a word processor, along with a built-in security system. It requires a modest 2GB of RAM, 20GB of disk space, and a screen resolution of 1024×768 to operate efficiently.
On a broader scale, Lin and Hester advocate for supporting organizations that champion the right to repair and legislation aimed at protecting consumers from planned obsolescence. “Studies in human-computer interaction (HCI) have shown that technologies can have a longer lifecycle if we have access to expertise on how to repair them without facing penalties like copyright violations,” Lin explained. “The ongoing right-to-repair movement in the U.S. shows promise in making technology repairable and, consequently, more sustainable.”
