As the clock ticks down to the end of support for Windows 10, concerns are mounting over the fate of millions of functional PCs. With just over eleven months remaining until Microsoft officially ceases free updates on October 14, 2025, campaigners are sounding the alarm about the potential environmental impact of this decision.
Market Dynamics and User Sentiment
Recent data from StatCounter reveals that Windows 11 has captured a modest 35.55 percent of the desktop Windows market as of October, while Windows 10 retains a significant 60.97 percent share. This decline for Windows 10 marks a notable shift from earlier this year, when it held a commanding 69.9 percent in April. If current trends persist, Windows 11 is unlikely to achieve a dominant market presence before the impending support cutoff.
“It’s outrageous that Microsoft, while touting its environmental credentials, is planning to effectively trash 400 million working computers…”
In response to the looming deadline, Microsoft has introduced a pricing structure for continued security updates: for individual Windows 10 users, for enterprises, and a mere for educational institutions during the first year. While this strategy may bolster Windows 11’s market share, it has drawn sharp criticism from advocacy groups.
The Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) has been vocal in its opposition, arguing that Microsoft’s extended support plan falls short of what is necessary. Lucas Rockett Gutterman, PIRG’s Designed to Last Campaign Director, expressed his discontent, stating, “This isn’t just environmentally harmful. It’s a blatant disregard for consumers who are being forced to replace functional devices.”
Challenges with Windows 11
For those who have upgraded to Windows 11, the experience has not been without its challenges. Earlier this year, Mikhail Parakhin, then head of Windows Advertising and Web Services, acknowledged that certain aspects of Windows 11 were lacking and promised to “make Start menu great again.” However, Parakhin has since departed Microsoft for a role at Shopify, leaving users to navigate ongoing issues.
Despite regular updates, including the recent 24H2 release that introduces enhancements such as Rust integration in the Windows kernel and support for SHA-3, Microsoft has yet to address the significant barrier posed by older hardware being excluded from the upgrade path.
Reflecting on the market landscape, it is noteworthy that in January 2019, Windows 10 boasted a market share of 53.18 percent, comfortably ahead of Windows 7’s 35.05 percent, just before its support ended. With Windows 11 still striving to gain traction, the road ahead appears challenging as the deadline for Windows 10 support approaches.
