Microsoft’s decision to end support for its Windows 10 operating system may contribute to the disposal of approximately 240 million PCs, raising concerns about increased electronic waste, reports Canalys Research.

Although many PCs may continue to function for several years beyond the end of OS support, Canalys cautions that demand for devices lacking security updates could diminish. Owners may find it challenging to retain older devices, potentially leading to increased e-waste.

Microsoft has indicated that support for Windows 10 will cease on October 14, 2025. The company plans to offer paid security updates for Windows 10 devices until October 2028, with details about the annual cost yet to be specified.

Canalys suggests that if the pricing model for extended Windows 10 support follows past trends, transitioning to new PCs may become a more cost-effective option than maintaining older ones. This shift could result in a higher number of older PCs being discarded, potentially contributing to a significant e-waste issue. The estimated e-waste from these 240 million disposed computers could weigh around 480 million kilograms.

While components of old computers can be extracted and recycled, Canalys highlights the importance of responsible disposal. For instance, laptop batteries can be recycled indefinitely to recover metals like lithium, cobalt, nickel, and copper. Moreover, computer and server hard drives can be repurposed for recycling, contributing to materials used in electric car engines and renewable energy production. However, the premature disposal of hard disks before the end of their useful life may lead to a surplus of waste rare earth magnetic materials.

Source: Reuters (Read more)