About 240 million personal computers (PCs) could be disposed of as a result of Microsoft Corp.’s decision to discontinue support for the Windows 10 operating system, potentially contributing to landfill waste, according to Canalys Research.
An estimated 480 million kilograms, or 320,000 automobiles, of electrical garbage could come from these PCs.
Canalys cautioned that demand for devices lacking security updates may be limited, even though many PCs could continue to function for years after OS support ends.
Microsoft revealed that, for an undisclosed annual fee, it will continue to deliver security updates for Windows 10 devices through October 2028.
According to Canalys, upgrading to a modern PC may be more affordable if the extended Windows 10 support pricing structure follows previous trends. This would result in a greater number of older PCs being sent for disposal.
By October 2025, Microsoft plans to stop supporting Windows 10. The upcoming operating system generation is expected to provide sophisticated artificial intelligence technology to personal computers, which could stimulate the stagnant PC market.
A request for comment regarding the environmental effects of disposing of incompatible Windows 11 devices was not immediately answered by Microsoft.
Hard drives from servers and personal computers are recycled to collect elements that can be utilized in motors for electric cars and even in the production of renewable energy.
According to Peter Afiuny, chief commercial officer of Noveon Magnetics, “converting end-of-life computers into the magnets that power sustainable technologies like electric vehicles and wind turbines will help meet the rising global demand for electricity.”
Hard drives are frequently thrown away before they reach the end of their useful lives, according to Afiuny, which results in an excess of trash made of rare earth magnetic materials.
According to battery recycling company Redwood Materials, batteries may be recycled almost indefinitely to recover metals including copper, nickel, cobalt, and lithium.
