Petition asks Microsoft to expand support for Windows 10

A group of users Windows 10 has launched an online petition urging Microsoft to extend the operating system's support lifecycle beyond 2025. The petition, which has already gathered more than 10.000 signatures, claims that Windows 10 is a reliable and stable platform that does not should be abandoned in favor of Windows 11.

The petitioners argue that Windows 10 has many advantages over Windows 11, such as lower hardware requirements, better compatibility with older apps and devices, and more customization options. They also note that Windows 10 is widely used by businesses, schools, and governments, which may not be able to upgrade to Windows 11 due to cost, security, or performance issues.

The petitioners ask that Microsoft reconsider its decision to end support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025 and instead provide security updates and bug fixes for at least another five years. They also ask that Microsoft continue to offer Windows 10 as an alternative option for new and existing customers who don't want or need Windows 11.

The petition states that Microsoft has a responsibility to respect the choices and preferences of its customers, and that forcing them to switch to Windows 11 would be an abuse of trust and goodwill. The petitioners hope that Microsoft will listen to their comments and take their concerns into account before making any final decisions about the future of Windows 10.

The Public Interest Research Group (PIRG), a network of nonprofit organizations that advocate for consumer rights, has launched a campaign to pressure Microsoft to extend the life of Windows 10 beyond its planned release date. end of support in 2025. The campaign, which has gathered more than 20.000 signatures from concerned citizens, warns that Microsoft's decision to end support for Windows 10 could result in the premature disposal of millions of computers that still work but cannot upgrade to Windows 11.

According to PIRG, Microsoft's decision to abandon Windows 10 is unprecedented and irresponsible as it could lead to the largest wave of e-waste in history. PIRG estimates that around 11 billion PCs worldwide will be affected by the end of support deadline, meaning they will no longer receive security updates, bug fixes, or feature enhancements from Microsoft. Without these updates, PCs will become vulnerable to cyberattacks, malware, and performance issues, forcing many users to replace them with newer models that can run Windows XNUMX.

However, many users will not be able to upgrade to Windows 11 even if they want to, because Microsoft has imposed strict hardware requirements for the new operating system. These requirements include a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 chip, a minimum of 4 GB of RAM, and a 64-bit processor that meets certain specifications. These requirements exclude many PCs that were manufactured before 2018 and some that were sold last year.

PIRG argues that Microsoft should continue supporting Windows 10 for as long as possible, or at least until most PCs can meet the requirements of Windows 11. The group also urges Microsoft to lower hardware barriers for Windows 11 and make it easier for users to upgrade their existing PCs. By doing so, Microsoft could avoid unnecessary environmental damage and save consumers money and inconvenience.

“Microsoft has a responsibility to its customers and the planet to keep Windows 10 alive,” said Lucas Rockett Gutterman, PIRG campaign director. "All software has an expiration date, but when the stakes are so high we can't accept that."