After discontinuing Windows 10 support, Microsoft cautioned about a significant issue of electronic waste.
Microsoft plans to end Windows support in about 12 months, which will be a problem for many current PC users. But the company is bracing itself for a major problem with outdated Windows PCs that aren’t compatible with future updates.
And if computers are in this state, they end up in the e-waste bin, which could increase to more than 240 million computers, according to reports, adding about 480 million pounds to the existing e-waste footprint. Microsoft changed its focus with support for Windows 11, which resulted in millions of older computers being ineligible for the new version.
The company has talked about extending Windows 10 support until 2028, but it would be through a paid service, which is unlikely to appeal to consumers around the world.
So the only option they have is they can either pay for extended Windows 10 support or upgrade to a new PC that will allow them to run Windows 11 and future versions for years to come.
E-waste is undoubtedly becoming a big problem for governments all over the world, which is why some of the top brands have been talking extensively about using recycled materials in their phones and other products. Microsoft clearly didn’t think it through when the Windows 11 support cycle was going to be announced, which has brought us to the current situation that will only get worse in the next few years.
Using these outdated computer parts could be one way to reduce clutter, especially when components such as hard drives or RAM are still in working order. We’ve already seen brands rely on non-plastic materials for packaging purposes, supported by decisions such as removing the charger from the box, which Apple started a few years ago and is now being done by major companies.
