Research firm Canalys estimates that there may be as many as 240 million outdated PCs that could become electronic waste in the future. This projection comes after Microsoft’s announcement that Windows 10 will no longer receive support after October 2025, making it unable to upgrade to Windows 11 due to hardware limitations.
Canalys has called on PC manufacturers and Microsoft to take responsibility for extending the lifespan of PCs as much as possible, ensuring hardware compatibility, and implementing effective e-waste recycling programs. However, Canalys also acknowledges the lack of clear legislation in this area, making it challenging to enforce changes in hardware manufacturers’ working practices.
Recently, Microsoft announced a program to extend the life of Windows 10 for an additional three years until 2028, but this extension comes at a cost through Extended Security Updates (ESU), the pricing of which has not been disclosed yet. Canalys believes that if Microsoft sets the ESU pricing similar to how they did with Windows 7 (which was considered expensive), it would essentially force organizations to purchase new devices with Windows 11 instead of sticking with their current ones, turning them into electronic waste.
TLDR: Canalys predicts a potential future e-waste crisis with around 240 million outdated PCs due to Windows 10’s inability to upgrade to Windows 11 and lack of hardware compatibility. Canalys urges PC manufacturers and Microsoft to take responsibility for extending PC lifespans and implementing e-waste recycling programs. Microsoft’s announcement of a three-year extension for Windows 10, with Extended Security Updates, could push organizations to buy new devices and contribute to the e-waste issue.
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