Nonprofit Organization Petitions Microsoft to Extend Windows 10 Support

The American Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) has recently launched a petition addressed to Microsoft’s CEO, Satya Nadella, urging the company to reconsider its decision to end Windows 10 support in October 2025.

The organization believes that out of the one billion devices currently running Windows 10, over 400 million of them do not meet the upgrade requirements for Windows 11. The end of the Windows 10 lifecycle would mean these devices will lose Microsoft’s support and potentially become obsolete, leading to a significant increase in electronic waste, contradicting the company’s environmental stance.

“Microsoft needs to reconsider this decision, continuing to provide security updates for the billions of users who cannot upgrade their computers. This is not only in their economic interest but also for the sake of environmental protection.”

Nonprofit Organization Petitions Microsoft to Extend Windows 10 Support

The petition reads as follows:

Dear Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella,

Don’t junk millions of computers. Microsoft’s decision to end support for Windows 10 could cause the single biggest jump in junked computers ever, and make it impossible for Microsoft to hit their sustainability goals. The new version of their operating system’s stringent hardware requirements could result in 40% of PCs in use being left behind.

Microsoft’s decision to stop supporting millions of functional computers in our hospitals, businesses, and homes is a raw deal for customers who expect their expensive devices to last.

All software reaches a point at which it’s no longer supported, but when the consequences to our environment are this large, we shouldn’t accept it.

***********************************************************************************

Microsoft has not yet issued a public statement regarding the termination of Windows 10 support, but there are speculations that they might follow a similar approach to what they did with Windows 7’s support expiration. This would involve offering paid extensions for up to three years for the Professional and Enterprise versions, excluding the Home edition.

Lucas Rockett Gutterman, the Director of PIRG’s Designed to Last campaign, points out that Microsoft has previously extended support for older operating systems. For example, Windows XP users received security updates for 13 years and could still run on 30% of computers worldwide when support ended. Windows 10 was released with a high degree of backward compatibility, meaning that when Microsoft ends support for their existing Windows systems, most older computers should be capable of running the new operating system.

“Considering Microsoft’s past actions, their forceful transition to Windows 11 is surprising. This is detrimental not only to consumers but also to the planet because these outdated computers will add to the toxic electronic waste piling up.”

There have been suggestions of possibly switching to other operating systems. In response, Gutterman explains that while the open-source community has been working to support hardware abandoned by other manufacturers, it’s more complex for institutions like schools and hospitals that rely on software specific to Windows.

“For Microsoft, compelling these institutions to dispose of and replace perfectly functional computers that continue to assist students and patients makes no sense. The simplest solution is for Microsoft to extend their support.”

[Link to the petition]