As strange as it may seem, the end of Windows 10 has led to a surge in sales of CD and Blu-ray drives in Japan. But why is this happening, given that Microsoft has stopped supporting the operating system since October 14, 2025? The goal of Japanese consumers is quite simple: by rushing to buy optical drives, they aim to keep a physical copy of Windows 11 before migrating from the previous operating system.
It should be noted that, unlike the West, which is undermining itself with digitization—a format that we never truly own, as we learned from Steam—Japan is attached to physical media. Optical discs continue to contain applications and video games favored by consumers.
Here Is Why Windows 10 Is Causing A Surge In Optical Drive Sales
Those who have traveled to major cities in Japan know very well: there are numerous shops that sell physical discs, whether it’s music, movies, or gaming. In short, a cultural preference for tangible media that explains the surge in optical drive sales following the end of Windows 10, which has recently released its final updates.
Globally, and also in France, the majority download Windows 11 online, whether for installation or system updates. For the Japanese, it’s more about physical media via a disc or a USB stick with the installation files. To be honest, our Japanese counterparts’ solution is much more practical and secure for total hardware control.
In Japan, you can still find blank discs in specialty stores, and it was only in 2024 that the government ended the mandatory use of floppy disks in administrative procedures—a decision made nearly two decades after the rest of the world. Moreover, we also find devices that many would consider outdated here, including the fax machine.
As a reminder, Windows 10 has officially come to an end after several years of existence, and now Microsoft is focusing on Windows 11, which has launched its 25H2 version in final form. Unfortunately, the previous operating system is no longer protected, even if the Redmond company still offers Microsoft Defender. However, this is insufficient to deal with the numerous online threats, even though Europe has been granted a one-year extension for critical security updates following negotiations between Microsoft and Brussels.
There is also ecological concern, as many perfectly functional PCs are not compatible with Windows 11 and will no longer receive support. This affects around 400 million PCs due to Microsoft’s disastrous decision, which seems to show little regard for the situation.
Source: My Drivers
