Challenges Ahead for Charities as Microsoft Ends Windows 10 Support
As Microsoft gears up to conclude free security updates for Windows 10 this October, a pressing dilemma emerges for charities dedicated to refurbishing and distributing older computers to underserved communities. With approximately 240 million PCs falling short of the stringent hardware criteria for Windows 11, these organizations are confronted with a challenging decision: should they provide potentially insecure Windows 10 systems, send them to e-waste recyclers, or consider alternative operating systems like Linux?
The requirements for Windows 11 are notably demanding, necessitating a CPU of 1GHz or faster with at least two cores, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, Secure Boot capability, and TPM 2.0 compatibility. Unfortunately, the list of supported Intel CPUs only extends back to the 8th Generation, introduced in 2017, while AMD’s list includes the Ryzen 2000 series and newer. This means that many relatively recent and capable computers are rendered ineligible for the upgrade, despite possessing sufficient RAM and storage.
Chester Wisniewski, director and global field CISO for Sophos, expressed his concerns, stating, “Deploying Windows 10 at this time is a bad idea. The writing is on the wall. Microsoft has made the internal decision to obsolete this equipment, so I guess they just don’t want more people to use Windows.” He further elaborated that since Windows 10 and Windows 11 share a largely common codebase, vulnerabilities patched in one can often be exploited in the other. Recent Patch Tuesdays have seen dozens of vulnerabilities addressed, some of which were already being exploited by malicious actors before fixes were available.
Beyond the security implications, charities that continue using Windows 10 must also grapple with compliance risks. For example, charity shops utilizing Windows 10 for electronic point-of-sale systems may face compliance issues with regulations like GDPR once support ceases. Non-compliance could lead to substantial fines, jeopardizing the charity’s reputation and financial health.
The looming issue of e-waste adds another layer of complexity, with only 14 to 40 percent of electronic waste in the U.S. being recycled. This could result in an estimated 1.06 billion pounds of e-waste—equivalent to the weight of 320,000 cars. When electronic devices are not properly recycled, they often end up in landfills, where harmful substances like lead, mercury, and cadmium can seep into the soil. This contamination not only degrades soil quality, making it unsuitable for agriculture, but also poses risks to drinking water supplies and aquatic ecosystems. Additionally, the incineration of e-waste releases toxic fumes into the atmosphere.
This staggering volume of e-waste is not just an environmental concern; according to the UN, the net annual economic cost of e-waste stands at billion. Without significant improvements in e-waste management and policies, this figure is projected to rise to billion by 2030.
Despite these challenges, a significant number of users are likely to continue operating on Windows 10. Statcounter reports that Windows 10 still comprises 58.7 percent of all Windows installations, in contrast to Windows 11’s 38.1 percent. The probability of these systems being upgraded or replaced by October appears low, and even fewer users are expected to opt for Microsoft’s Extended Security Update program, which incurs a cost of per year.
Organizations like PCs for People are proactively addressing this situation. CEO Casey Sorensen shared that they ceased distributing Windows 10 a year prior to the cutoff and have shifted their focus to Linux Mint for older systems. “We will distribute Linux laptops that are 6th or 7th gen. If we distribute a Windows laptop, it will be 8th gen or newer,” Sorensen explained. PCs for People refurbishes 140,000 PCs annually, providing affordable options to low-income individuals while sending older units to recyclers.
Sorensen noted a shift in perceptions regarding Linux over the years. “Ten years ago, if we distributed Linux, they would be like ‘What is it?’” he recalled. Today, many users view their computers primarily as gateways to the internet, making user-friendly Linux distributions like Mint more palatable. However, it’s important to note that Linux still lacks some popular applications, such as Microsoft Office and Slack, although alternatives do exist.
As charities navigate the complexities of outdated systems, they must strike a balance between ensuring secure computing and addressing the environmental ramifications of disposal. The path forward remains uncertain, but it is evident that many users will continue to operate on Windows 10 beyond its support lifecycle, exposing themselves to emerging threats.
