Windows 10 bids farewell soon, on October 14, 2025, to be precise. However, this leaves between 200 and 400 million PCs around the world vulnerable to cyberattacks, leading to anger among consumer advocacy groups.
Recently, a coalition has taken action against Microsoft due to the end of support for Windows 10. While the operating system will continue to function after October 14, no further security updates or technical support will be provided by the Redmond company.
400 million PCs will be threatened after the end of Windows 10
Martin Kraemer, a specialist at KnowBe4, explains that individuals without access to these updates are vulnerable to the “latest cyber threats.” Microsoft itself acknowledges this, stating that “your PC will be more exposed to viruses and malware.” However, the company refuses to reveal the exact number of affected PCs and merely notes that Windows runs on 1.4 billion active devices. According to StatCounter, 45.6% were still operating on Windows 10 as of August 2025, which translates to 638.4 million PCs.
The Consumer Reports association estimates that between 200 and 400 million people lack the ability to upgrade to Windows 11 due to its stringent requirements. Nonetheless, Microsoft continues to promote migration to Windows 11, which has now launched its 25H2 version, promising “a more modern, secure, and efficient experience.” However, only PCs running Windows 10 22H2 with the required hardware can install the latest version of the operating system.
While Windows 10 will extend its support under specific conditions, the alternatives offered by Microsoft are limited. Users are expected to pay around 30 euros per month for extended updates, but only for one year. This merely postpones the inevitable; the only solutions available are to purchase a new PC or switch to an alternative OS like Linux. “As long as your security applications are compatible, that’s a good choice,” claims Paddy Harrington from Forrester. According to him, using Windows 10 with an antivirus is insufficient and serves as a temporary fix.
Voices are rising against the end of support for Windows 10
As previously mentioned, a coalition is protesting against what they call a “forceful transition” from Microsoft. This group has initiated a petition titled “No to the Windows Tax,” which has gathered over 37,000 signatures to date. The demand is straightforward: free updates for Windows 10 until 2030.
Additionally, the coalition estimates that extra costs for users could be at least 10 billion euros. Even more concerning are the environmental repercussions, with the potential to emit “over 70 million tons of greenhouse gases” if these 400 million Windows 10 PCs are replaced. That’s “equivalent to the weight of 32,000 Eiffel Towers in raw materials.”
Despite the backlash, Microsoft continues to enhance Windows 11 with regular updates and remains silent on these criticisms. Their strategy is unlikely to change unless faced with significant pressure from regulatory bodies. The Redmond firm appears to disregard the complaints of millions of dissatisfied users worldwide.
Source: La Tribune
