Petition asks Microsoft to extend support for Windows 10

A group of Windows 10 users has launched an online petition to urge 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 should not be abandoned in favor of Windows 11.

Los peticionarios argumentan que Windows 10 tiene muchas ventajas sobre Windows 11, como menores requisitos de hardware, mejor compatibilidad con aplicaciones y dispositivos más antiguos y más opciones de personalización. También señalan que Windows 10 es ampliamente utilizado por empresas, escuelas y gobiernos, que tal vez no puedan actualizar a Windows 11 debido a problemas de costo, seguridad o rendimiento.

The petitioners request 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 do not 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 non-profit organizations that advocate for consumer rights, has launched a campaign to pressure Microsoft to extend the life of Windows 10 beyond its planned end-of-support date 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 removal 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 one billion PCs worldwide will be affected by the end-of-support deadline, meaning they will no longer receive security updates, bug fixes and feature enhancements from Microsoft. Without these updates, PCs will become vulnerable to cyber attacks, malware and performance problems, forcing many users to replace them with newer models that can run Windows 11.

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 prior to 2018 and some that were sold last year.

PIRG argues that Microsoft should continue to support Windows 10 for as long as possible, or at least until most PCs can meet Windows 11 requirements. The group also urges Microsoft to lower hardware barriers to 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 hassle.

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