Software Obsolescence Crisis: 400 Million Computers Face E-Waste Threat as Windows 10 Support Ends

October 13, 2025by Jessica Moore P.E.

Software obsolescence has become an urgent environmental crisis as Microsoft ends automatic support for Windows 10, potentially sending 400 million perfectly functional computers to scrap heaps worldwide. On International E-Waste Day, campaigners across Europe and the United States are demanding regulatory action against planned software obsolescence that forces premature device replacement.

The Windows 10 End-of-Support Crisis

Microsoft’s decision to terminate free, automatic software support for Windows 10—the world’s most popular operating system running on approximately 40% of global computers—has created what campaigners call a “software obsolescence tsunami.” Starting October 14, hundreds of millions of devices could become vulnerable to security breaches while being pressured toward premature disposal. The software giant recommends users upgrade to Windows 11 or purchase new hardware, creating what environmental groups describe as unnecessary electronic waste.

Environmental Impact of Forced Upgrades

Campaigners estimate that approximately 400 million computers cannot handle the Windows 11 upgrade requirements, potentially generating 700 million kilograms of e-waste along with significant greenhouse gas emissions from manufacturing replacements. According to the Electronic Waste Graveyard report, this represents just the tip of the iceberg for a broader pattern affecting medical equipment, smart devices, gaming consoles, and home appliances rendered obsolete by software retirement.

400 million computers potentially obsolete worldwide
700 million kg of e-waste generation
40% of global computers running Windows 10 affected
Massive carbon footprint from replacement device manufacturing

Right to Repair Movement Responds

The Right to Repair Europe coalition, representing 180 organizations across 30 European countries, has intensified demands for regulatory action against software obsolescence. While acknowledging Microsoft’s limited concession—extending security updates for one year at approximately €25 for EU consumers—coordinator Cristina Ganapini calls the measure “hidden, limited and insufficient” for addressing the systemic problem.

“While this marks an important step forward, this concession simply delays the inevitable for millions of PCs that cannot upgrade to Windows 11,” Ganapini stated. The coalition has formally petitioned European Commission officials Jessica Roswall and Henna Virkkunen for comprehensive regulations guaranteeing longer software support cycles.

Global Campaigns and Consumer Awareness

International E-Waste Day events in Brussels and beyond highlight growing concern about planned software obsolescence across device categories. Campaigners note that many consumers remain unaware their computers will face increased security risks after support termination, potentially creating cybersecurity vulnerabilities alongside environmental damage.

The issue gained prominence during New York Climate Week 2025 through We Don’t Have Time’s broadcast “The 400 Million PC Question” featuring former U.S. PIRG campaigner Lucas Gutterman. Additional coverage from International Repair Day organizers emphasizes the connection between repairability and sustainability.

Solutions and Sustainable Alternatives

Environmental advocates propose multiple approaches to address software obsolescence:

Mandatory software support periods through government regulation
Increased transparency about hardware requirements before upgrades
Support for modular, repairable devices with longer lifespans
Expansion of refurbished technology markets
Development of lightweight operating systems for older hardware

As the European Union considers stronger regulations, the crisis highlights how software decisions directly impact environmental sustainability and consumer rights in our increasingly digital world.

References

** Apple Discontinues Clips Video Editing App: What You Need to Know

** Apple has officially pulled the plug on its mobile video editing app Clips, which will no longer be available for download after October 2025. The app, launched in 2017, offered simplified video creation with fun effects and automatic music matching. Existing users can continue using the app but should save their projects properly. **CONTENT:**

Apple has officially discontinued its Clips video editing app, pulling the plug on the mobile application that many users probably didn’t even know existed. The company confirmed that Clips will no longer receive updates and will be removed from the App Store for new users starting October 10, 2025, marking the end of an eight-year run for the simplified video editing tool designed specifically for iPhone and iPad users seeking quick, hassle-free video creation.

Compact Laser-Plasma Accelerator Generates Muon Beams for Revolutionary Imaging Applications

Researchers have developed a revolutionary foot-long laser-plasma accelerator that generates highly directional muon beams on demand. This breakthrough technology slashes imaging times from months to minutes, enabling unprecedented non-destructive inspection capabilities.

In a groundbreaking development that promises to transform non-destructive imaging, researchers at Berkeley Lab have created a compact laser-plasma accelerator that generates highly directional muon beams in a device measuring just 30 centimeters long. This revolutionary technology addresses longstanding limitations in muon imaging by providing a reliable, on-demand source of these penetrating particles, overcoming the constraints of traditional methods that relied on scarce natural sources.

The Muon Imaging Revolution

Trump’s TikTok Deal Puts White House in Driver’s Seat of Tech Policy

The Trump administration’s proposed TikTok ownership transfer marks a dramatic shift in government-tech industry relations. This move follows similar interventions in steel and semiconductor sectors, establishing new precedent for federal involvement in private enterprise.

President Donald Trump is fundamentally reshaping the relationship between the federal government and private industry through an unprecedented series of interventions, with his proposed TikTok ownership transfer representing the most consequential move yet for average Americans. The administration’s strategy of taking equity positions in key companies while leveraging tariff negotiations has created a new paradigm where the White House increasingly operates as both regulator and stakeholder in corporate America.