Petition demands that Microsoft extends Windows 10 support
Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) petitioned Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella this week to reconsider ending support for Windows 10 in October 2025.
Microsoft's Windows 10 operating system was released in 2015 with a ten year support period. The operating system continues to be supported for the next 2 years. While it won't receive major feature updates anymore, it continues to receive security updates, bug fixes and the occasional new feature or change.
Microsoft released Windows 11 in 2021 as the successor of Windows 10. Users not familiar with the release may suggest to upgrade Windows 10 devices to Windows 11 to stay supported. This, however, is not possible in all cases.
The Windows system requirements changed significantly with the release of Windows 11. Microsoft did so for the first time in a long while. Windows 7, an operating system released back in 2009, had the same requirements as Windows 10, released in 2015.
The release of Windows 11 changed that and the ability for all Windows devices to upgrade to the new version. Microsoft decided to limit processors to those released in 2018 and later, and also added other requirements, such as a TPM chip.
Devices that do not meet these requirements can't be upgraded to Windows 11 using Windows Update.
PIRG's petition, Tell Microsoft: Don’t leave millions of computers behind, asks Microsoft to extend support for Windows 10. The organization claims that about 40% of Windows 10 and earlier PCs can't be upgraded to Windows 11 because of the new hardware requirements. This would leave millions of devices without support and has the potential of creating the "single biggest jump in junked computers ever".
While it is technically possible to upgrade Windows 10 devices to Windows 11, even if they do not meet the official system requirements, it is not something that most Windows 10 users may do. First, because it requires tinkering with the installation, and second, because Microsoft stated that it does not guarantee anything if a PC is not compatible. Even security updates might not be provided for these devices.
In reality, things have been less dramatic up to this point. The main issue that incompatible devices will run into is that some features are not available. Also, feature updates recheck compatibility, which means that tweaking is required once per year when these updates do get installed.
Extending Windows 10 support
Microsoft has not released a public statement regarding Windows 10's end of support. A likely scenario is that the company will copy what it did when Windows 7 reached end of support. Equally popular, Windows 7 reached end of support in January 2020.
Microsoft allowed Enterprise customers and businesses to extend support by up to three years for a price. Home owners on the other hand did not get such an offer.
Microsoft might extend Windows 10 support for three years or even longer using the same program. It is likely, however, that it will be limited to Enterprise and business customers once again.
This leaves Windows 10 Home owners with just a few options. Some may upgrade to Windows 11, if the device meets the system requirements.
Others may continue to run Windows 10, but that is a security risk, as Microsoft won't release updates for the operating system anymore. Third-party micropatching service 0Patch might come to the rescue, as it has done the same in the past.
The last option, at least when it comes to keeping the current PC, is to migrate to Linux. This is a great opportunity for Linux, especially if someone creates a tool to make the migration as easy as possible.
Closing Words
Microsoft's focus is on Windows 11 and the rumored release of a new version of Windows, maybe Windows 12, in 2024. If true, system requirements would likely stay identical to those of Windows 11, which won't be helpful to Windows 10 and earlier customers.
Now You: which operating system do you use? If Windows 10, what will you do in 2025?
hi Martin.
It looks like Microsoft will NOT be budging on their stance to end Windows 10 support in mid-October 2025.
read this ZDNet article titled “Hoping for a Windows 10 support extension? Microsoft just quietly crushed your dreams”
https://www.zdnet.com/article/hoping-for-a-windows-10-support-extension-microsoft-just-quietly-crushed-your-dreams/
guess that online petition to extend windows 10 support will end up being in vain.
As my 8 Year old pc with an rusty 2 GHz cpu, can handle the majestic windows feature updates, that slows more and more my pc, I’m happy to live with windows 10, as far as it continues to do.
I run Windows 10 now on two computers and hope that Windows 12 will come out before long, so I don’t have to bother with Windows 11. Wish me luck!
I am running Windows 10 now on two computers and am waiting for Windows 12 to possibly come out before Windows 10 will not be supported anymore. Wish me luck!
@VioletMoon
“Since that hasn’t happened, and I rather doubt it will, one would do well to upgrade that ten-year old desktop and laptop.”
Microsoft says the cut-off for “old” computers is 2018. Meaning your 5 year old computer is now e-waste, accord to Microsoft. Yes you can hack the installer to bypass the requirements, but this is not something your average computer user can do and they will have to do it with every feature update.
The 2018 update seems arbitrary. What revolutionary feature did Intel introduce in the 8th gen Core that made the 7th gen Core e-waste?
Also, wordfence is evil.
All win boxes here transistioning to Debian KDE non-free with great success. MS can burn in hell eternally.
Installing Linux, for a non-geek, is still daunting.
I have a couple of old laptops that would supposedly be great for Linux, and I’m not exactly a noob, but as soon as I read what would be involved in switching them to Linux, my eyes glaze over. This is supposed to be “easy”?
I hate Windows, but at least it’s a consumer product. My Mom can figure out how to install it. Mac is even easier; you just pay$$$ and drink their kool-aid and it just works. And if it doesn’t, their service is the best in the biz.
So once Win 10 is dead, I’ll probably go Mac. Unless I can find someone’s kid how wants to take a stab at switching my old machines to Linux.
What’s involved in switching to Linux that scates you so much?
The only difference for me is having to go into UEFI and switch my SSD from Seeting A to Setting B, because Linux doesn’t recognize it otherwise and then being unable to install my nVidia drivers unless I dig deeper.
This has been my only reason I keep using Windows still.
If you are on a tech website and can’t install Linux then you aren’t nerdy or tech savvy enough, because the installation process is identical to Windows – put Linux distro XYZ on a stick, plug it in, boot to LiveCD, click install, watch internet videos on your computer as you install Linux on it (no other OS allows yo to do it).
FYI, F¥€Kwesternvalues,
I have worked as IT support for about 4 years, spent some of that time as a windows build/deployment guy, and so got plenty of experience installing Windows, even booting into other types of software such as partition recovery, cloning softwares, Ubuntu as well on some occasions for troubleshooting, etc, as a hobby I deal with Windows 7 but at work it’s Windows 10 and 11.
I’ve never had trouble installing Windows on any PC – the only problem I ever had was needing intel RST drivers for installing windows on an m.2/nvme drive, as Windows 10 installer doesn’t come with drivers for this, but with sata? Never a problem.
A few months ago I tried installing the latest Fedora after seeing a network technician using it, looks like Windows, looks cool despite the reddit name it has. It could not create it’s stupid partitions that it needs to function, on a regular sata SSD, I troubleshot the issue for a couple days but the error message I was receiving barely showed any hits on google, and the ones that it did were irrelevant to me, I knew I wasn’t doing anything wrong because I know how creating partitions works, besides it gives you full explanation of what you need to do there and then, which I followed to a T. A few days later I gave up and installed Windows just to see if maybe the drive was the problem, but it installed fine.
It was at this stage that I realised Linux is “not there yet”, it just hasn’t undergone the rigors that Windows has, clearly. Just a personal anecdote but I am sure that many who gave Linux a chance only to return to Windows have a similar story, they may have been luckier than me and gotten further than me, but you get the idea.
Your post had some big arrogance about how easy Linux is to install, well I must disagree, it is definitely at least 1% harder than on Windows, personal experience.
I’ll be continuing running Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC. My computers run 3rd and 4th generation Core i7 CPUs which do everything I need. I don’t need a new system and I don’t WANT Windows 11 and it’s endless self-serving M$ bullshit.
Ivy Bridge rocks! I use it too on quite a powerful PC however still Windows 7 :)
Totally agree with you Dizpo Zabl.
I use Linux.
But otherwise I would use Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 (supported until 2027), or Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2021 (supported until 2032). See https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/release-health/release-information
Windows 11 sucks.
Restart and extend Windows 7/8.1 instead. Windows 10 and 11 both are garbage.
Yes, Windows 7 is better than 10, but for myself I still prefer Windows XP (my all time favorite), very much less all kind of garbage which are not necessary in a pure OS.
As pHROZEN gHOST stated, I also will be leaving Windows OS behind. The machines I operate include two dual boot Windows 10/Linux, and three others that are now Linux ONLY, it being faster, more reliable and .far easier to maintain. There are a very-few Windows-only apps I use, so I might keep Win10 without security updates for off-network use on one PC, but wine works for other non-Linux apps, such as 7-Zip (better than Linux version) and.IrfanView.
12 year old computers can run Win11 just fine… people are being ridiculous here.
Also, just like people run Win7 computers and complain why Chromium browsers and Firefox and dozens of programs don’t support it, well, they will still run win10 until no program runs.
I have seen more and more people in Win11 when it comes to gaming, if CPU makers made upgrading easily and not just tell you “after two CPU generations you gotta upgrade your motherboard and sometimes memory” it would be easier for people to upgrade.
But you can easily bypass TPM issue… I don’t get what’s the deal here, many people didn’t upgrade from win7 to win10 even if it was free and there was no “TPM requirement’ So it is just another excuse to complain about something from humanity which seems to care about the most meaningless things, when they can easily fix it themselves if they wanted to.
And no, Linux will be still irrelevant for desktop computers, and you all saying “switching to linux” you either, are not going to do it, or you already did but want to pretend a grain of sand in the beach matters.
Windows and Mac own industries, so professional software and games are not in Linux, and no, only because ‘they run’ doesn’t mean they run properly and people are going to risk their work by running software not meant for Linux.
Most software presentation I watch are made either in a Mac with windows or in a ‘PC’ brand with Windows, never Linux even if ‘it is free’.
I will be moving over to Linux.
I don’t care one iota what OS you use and I doubt anybody else here does either.
I don’t care one iota that you don’t care what OS you use and I doubt anybody else here does either.
I dont care if you do, wooly woofter.
Agree absolutely! Already dual boot two Winbdows 10 PC’s, and three others are now Linux ONLY, it being faster, more reliable and .far easier to maintain. There are a very-few Windows only apps I use, so I might keep Win10 without updates on one PC, but wine works for most other non-Linux apps.
Not a big problem for me : in two years from now my computer will be thirteen of age. If Microsoft extend Windows 10 by two or three more years I will probably go as far with my actual computer as it will be able to go, otherwise I’ll buy a new one somewhere around september 2025.
So you have a ~2011 rig? I can think of a few PCs I have from that era which are fully functional to this day – my MAIN rig is a 2012 rig and it is still a beast for anything apart from modern games.
If you think you should dump your computer just because you “feel” it’s old, that is silly. You should only think of retiring something when it no longer serves it’s purpose, or if you have something which better serves the purpose, but that is just my opinion.
We are planning on build new pcs, have been for awhile. Then the TPM fight will start.
TPM keeps you safe by taking control away from you and giving it to other ‘trusted’ people.
Don’t believe me.
Go search, go learn, don’t be a lemming.
Most people don’t put effort into staying secure and blame Microsoft if they have security problems. They click the link then say, Windows is not secure when the ransom demand comes on screen. In particular, businesses face problems. It only takes one employee to do the wrong thing. In that context, is TPM a bad thing or should Windows be a security nerds only OS.
@Anonymous what are you on about? If someone clicks a ransomware, that bitch starts encrypting local files almost immediately, not in some “pre-boot” stage, but right then and there, when user is logged on. TPM is to stop someone removing a storage device and trying to access it externally (aka, a ridiculous attack vector that doesn’t happen often). Am i wrong?
Just buy a new computer?
Are you paying for it?
That would be great. I bought a powerful computer with Windows 10 thinking I’d not have to buy another computer or operating system. I was told that it was the last operating system I’d ever need. Now they are saying that I will have to buy both, even though my computer is extremely capable. It’s like paying full fare for a taxi and being dropped off in the middle of a desert.
Download RUFUS, then download the Windows 11 .ISO from MicroSoft. It’s free~
place a USB stick in your PC. Use RUFUS to make a bootable UBS of windows 11. Rufus is going to bypass the TPM. I have a PC right now. Dell Optiplex 7010 that I’m running windows 11 on. Runs like a dream
Windows 10 market share is 72% https://gs.statcounter.com/os-version-market-share/windows/desktop/worldwide
So what’s your point? Windows 95 had dominance around the turn of the century and people were reluctant to change. Now it would not function on most internet sites nor drive a lot of modern PC components. Operating systems need to evolve as hardware evolves. Wanting anything different is an unrealistic expectation. It may be nice to stay with the look and feel of XP, or 7 but the reality is the marketing people say “this looks better” or the designers say, “this is a more logical layout” and that’s what we get. Microsoft are not going to change that, despite change-resistant users.
“Wanting anything different is an unrealistic expectation. It may be nice to stay with the look and feel of XP, or 7 but the reality is the marketing people say “this looks better” or the designers say, “this is a more logical layout” and that’s what we get. Microsoft are not going to change that, despite change-resistant users.”
Pretty retarded opinion there. Windows MAIN feature over other operating systems is the sheer backwards compatibility. You could make Windows 7 look like a much older OS, as well as turn off aero-glass for a toned down dwm, but with the latest windows your customisation options are basically non-existant. The code was there, it worked, there’s no reason it couldn’t have just been saved as some setting that a tech savvy person could find and turn on, but no, Microsoft says no. And for the most childish reason ever: MS surface debut tablet couldn’t render aero glass well enough, so it had to go.
So the reason the modern UI looks modern, flat, and devoid of any life, is because it was constrained by some shitty arm-cpu tablet from 2012 – does that make sense to you??
Also the introduction of the “immersive control panel” is much more than a “layout change”, and is an objective reduction in productivity and is not simpler to use by any means. The sting of “change” usually doesn’t last if the change is positive and well received – W10/11 is unrecoverable for me. Settings app doesn’t even allow multiple instances, embarassing: Windows is in the gutter and has seen better days.
Five rigs in our network, all very fast eight core systems that I built and running Win 10 home. None meet the requirements. 64 years old, on disabilty, and only other source of income is some donations from our almost 20 year old publication. Scientific Frontline. . .
Think we’ll be screwed.
Sincerely,
Heidi-Ann Fourkiller
Switch to Linux. MS is signing it’s own death certificate.
And a switch to Linux is oh, so easy, with the choice of maybe 50 distros and Linux apps that do not align with Microsoft apps. Why don’t you write a Windows to Linux migration guide and help people move to Linux?
@pHROZEN gHOST / @Ben Myers–
It’s true; a quick switch to Linux, say Linux Mint, isn’t all that easy; it is if one has played around with a few distros in the past, but drivers, even now in 2023, are problematic e.g., an Epson Pro printer won’t connect to any Linux distro.
Not as much command line work, but one who switches is going to spend time looking for solutions to plug in to the CLI.
Oddly, I found that if and when a Linux system crashes, that’s it; everything is gone even if the user has made backups with TimeShift. It’s a mystery I never solved.
The EU, years ago, went to Linux in all the government offices thinking time/money would be saved. Within three years, they all returned to Windows because of the time/money being spent getting programs to work and users familiar with Linux.
If it were that “easy” to switch to Linux, no one would be using Windows. No petition would be needed. MS would be obsolete.
Since that hasn’t happened, and I rather doubt it will, one would do well to upgrade that ten-year old desktop and laptop.
That’s an issue in itself–migrating all the files and reinstalling all the programs with serials.
Ahhhggg . . .