Microsoft is set to cut support for its Windows 10 operating system in approximately three months on October 14, 2025. However, the move has received backlash from users who cite Windows 11’s stringent minimum system requirements and some flawed design elements as a major reason they cannot upgrade.
To address concerns, Microsoft announced that it will continue pushing security updates to Windows 10 beyond the cutoff date, but users must sync their PC settings data with the cloud via a Microsoft Account. Alternatively, users can redeem 1,000 Microsoft Reward points or pay $30 for extended security updates.
The Restart Project, a group focused on helping people repair broken electronics, claims that half of all Windows computers still run Windows 10 and argues that Microsoft’s decision accelerates premature disposal and undermines efforts to extend product lifespans. The group is mobilizing communities to repair and “breathe new life into computers” using free and open-source operating systems.
Microsoft has also announced plans to push its flagship Copilot+ PC sales while touting Windows 11’s next-gen AI-powered capabilities. However, the company’s claims have been met with skepticism, as users question the accuracy of comparisons between dated processors and modern hardware.
As the deadline approaches, groups like The Restart Project are urging policymakers to support stronger regulations requiring minimum durability and repairability for products. They also propose taxing short-lived, disposable products more and rewarding those that last. Meanwhile, Microsoft’s decision is being seen by some as a “last-minute snooze button” that only provides temporary relief from the looming issue of electronic waste.
Source: https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-10/extra-year-free-windows-10-security-updates-feels-like-snooze-button