“Microsoft Ends Windows 10 Updates: Millions Face Urgent Cybersecurity Decisions”

Microsoft’s announcement that it will end support for Windows 10 in mid-October has raised concerns among consumer advocacy groups and left millions of users anxious about the potential need to purchase new computers to avoid cybersecurity risks.

According to cybersecurity experts, computers running the 2015 version of Windows 10 will no longer receive updates after October 14. These updates have regularly patched the operating system to defend against a variety of cyber threats. Martin Kraemer, a security specialist at American firm KnowBe4, explained that discontinuing updates leaves devices increasingly vulnerable to attacks.

Microsoft has encouraged customers to upgrade to Windows 11, which was released in 2021. For users whose hardware is incompatible, the company offers a one-year extension for Windows 10 security updates at a cost of $30. This approach has drawn criticism from consumer groups. US watchdog Consumer Reports stated that the lack of backward compatibility for certain devices sold only a few years ago “is a blow to consumers’ pocketbooks,” forcing many to consider costly upgrades.

In Europe, advocacy organizations have expressed similar concerns. French group End Planned Obsolescence (HOP) has petitioned for free updates until 2030, while Germany’s Verbraucherzentrale warned that the decision “worries consumers and limits free purchase choices.” Critics also highlight environmental implications, noting that increased sales of new computers contribute to hard-to-recycle electronic waste.

Estimates of affected users vary. While Microsoft has not released official figures on devices unable to upgrade, Consumer Reports suggested that around 650 million Windows 10 users exist worldwide. US consumer group PIRG estimates that up to 400 million computers may be incompatible with Windows 11.

Experts caution that users who cannot upgrade and do not pay for extended support face heightened cybersecurity risks. Kraemer noted, “By receiving no updates, you’re no longer protecting yourself against the most recent cybersecurity risks.” Additionally, Paddy Harrington of consulting firm Forrester pointed out that unsupported Windows 10 systems may be unable to run the latest third-party applications, as vendors rely on operating system features that require current updates.

While recent antivirus software may offer partial protection, Harrington advised that it is only a temporary measure. Users wishing to retain their existing hardware might consider switching to alternative operating systems, such as Linux, an open-source platform widely used for servers and the basis for Google’s Android OS. “As long as your applications, management, and security tools support that OS, it’s a good choice,” Harrington added.