me upgrade my laptop
My laptop is turning six this year, which is a young age when compared to other things. It’s slower and battery life is less, but I don’t use my laptop for gaming or advanced video editing. It’s perfect for lighter tasks like emailing and web surfing.
I have only one problem. My laptop is too old to receive a Windows 11 upgrade. Windows 10 will be retired on October 14, 2025. This means that there will be no more security updates or new features. The first is not a major problem. The latter would be a catastrophe.
This is not an isolated situation. Windows 10 is still used by more than half of users, and the number is steadily decreasing. Who knows how many users will have upgraded in six months, but one thing is certain: On October 14th 2025, a large percentage of the 1.6 billion Windows PCs in the world will still be running Windows 10.
Windows 11 is so technical that it is not possible to upgrade all fully functional computers. Unfortunately, my six-year old laptop is one of those.
Microsoft stopping updating Windows 10 would make it a breeding ground of cybercriminals. A computer that is not updated with security patches can be a problem for both the user and others.
The decision has also created major environmental problems. Emissions will increase if a few hundred millions fully functional computers are thrown out and users buy brand new ones. The extraction of rare metals and energy are required to manufacture new computers. Microsoft has announced that Windows 10 security updates will be available for an additional year for a fee. Up until now, businesses were able to subscribe to extended support of older Windows versions. Now we can do the exact same. Microsoft will find this tempting in the short-term, but it is not a viable solution. In this situation, many users would continue to use Windows 10 for free, compromising our security.
Personally, I hope that Microsoft realizes they should reconsider their decision. It is only fair to provide free security updates for Windows 10 so long as it is widely used. It is neither environmentally nor economically sustainable to sell computers that have a lifespan of six years.
Computers, mobiles and tablets, as well as other technologies, should not be considered disposable. This is the transition that we must all make from a throwaway society. If Microsoft is serious in being a sustainable business, they should remove the death penalty on my six-year old laptop and other Windows 10 computers that are still working.
Further Reading: Save your older PC from Windows 10’s end of life.
Originally published on our sister publication PC for Alla ( ) was translated from Swedish and localized.
Martin Call- Contributor to PCWorld
Martin, our sister site PC for Alla’s consumer editor, will guide you, as a reader, on what you should be aware of before buying products and services. He writes columns and tips about smart apps and programs. Sometimes he also tests PC for Alla’s hardware and software.
