According to analysis conducted by Canalys, in the coming years, up to 240 million computers may become obsolete due to their lack of compatibility with the latest Windows 11 system. Although the update to Windows 11 is free, it requires newer hardware, which means that not all computers meet the requirements.
The lack of compatibility with the new system poses a serious problem that could lead to a dramatic increase in electronic waste. While these withdrawn computers could theoretically be refurbished and used further, their value significantly decreases due to the lack of compatibility with Windows 11.
To address concerns from users of older computers, Microsoft has announced that security updates will be extended until October 2028. However, these extended updates will be available for an additional fee. The prices for these extensions are not yet known, but concerns about high costs are already present.
In the case of Windows 7, the prices for extended updates were $25 in the first year and increased to $100 in the third year. If Microsoft decides on similar prices for Windows 10, it may be more cost-effective for some users to discard their old computers and purchase new ones that are compatible with Windows 11.
This problem will certainly not disappear, and millions of computers may end up in landfills, contributing to the growing amount of electronic waste. Therefore, there is a need for a more responsible approach to computer updates and recycling.
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The source of the article is from the blog enp.gr