Microsoft emails Windows 10 users, recommending recycling or trade-in of outdated PCs

[Daniel Sims]

The big picture: Microsoft will end support for Windows 10 this October despite its rising popularity compared to its successor, Windows 11. With millions of PCs ineligible to upgrade, Microsoft and PC manufacturers hope users will buy new devices regardless of whether their old hardware is truly obsolete.

Bob Phony reports that Microsoft has begun sending emails to users still running Windows 10, informing them that support for the operating system ends later this year. Although the emails include a short, informative FAQ, the company merely implies that it wants customers to buy new PCs.

Microsoft has spent months pushing full-screen pop-ups to nudge users with Windows 11-compatible devices to upgrade, some of which cause crashes. Thus, the company might only be sending emails to customers with registered PCs that don't meet the new operating system's stringent requirements.

Microsoft is sending out emails to all Windows 10 users about the upcoming end of support for Windows 10. pic.twitter.com/i6jlY4RjMq

– BobPony.com (@TheBobPony) March 18, 2025

Windows 11 won't officially support CPUs released before around 2018 or that don't include TPM 2.0 security. Although the stipulation will leave roughly 240 million Windows 10 systems without security updates, Microsoft refuses to budge.

Almost 60 percent of Windows PCs still use Windows 10 while its successor stagnates below 40 percent. Furthermore, user share has continued tilting toward the older operating system since late last year, and it once again became Steam survey participants' OS of choice last month.

Although the emails confirm that PCs running Windows 10 will still work after October, the company warns that they will be less secure and recommends that users trade or recycle them. Microsoft doesn't mention that this means purchasing a new device.

PC market analysts hope the end of Windows 10 support will boost 2025's hardware sales following 2023's historic downturn, but whether that will happen remains unclear. Despite Microsoft's deadline, many systems with ineligible processors, like 6th- and 7th-generation Intel chips, can still perform vital tasks.

Charities are deciding whether to recycle usable PCs, continue distributing potentially vulnerable Windows 10 systems, or convert them to Linux distros that are unfamiliar to many users. Options for those who can't upgrade are slim.

After October, businesses can pay $61 per device for critical security updates, but the price will double annually thereafter. Personal systems can receive just one more year of updates for $30.

Although unofficial methods of installing Windows 11 on ineligible hardware exist, Microsoft is trying to close those loopholes. Additionally, 0patch has pledged to deliver third-party security updates for Windows 10 until 2030.

Users who are only worried about paying for a Windows 11 license can buy one for just $15 for a limited time.

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Microsoft emails Windows 10 users, recommending recycling or trade-in of outdated PCs

 

[noel24]

240 millions of people, probably most of them without disposable income, cause someone with one, would already update Their machine.
Great job, Microsoft. You will budge, either when number of botnets running on those PCs will start to eat into Your bottom line, or when people will switch to some simplified Linux distro.
In a last year I helped two elderly family members to service PCs that are over +10 years, with Windows 7 and 8 respectively. They just use It to open Firefox, watch news and seek recipies. No viruses detected. Machines running fine, but what would You expect? The difference between Core 3rd gen and 14th gen is minimal, mostly overclocking.

 

[Loadedaxe]

I am running a i7-6700k with a vanilla install of Windows 11, no hack or Rufus made install USB

Got a TPM 2.0 module for my MSI Z270M Mortar off Amazon for $20, updated to the latest bios and enabled tpm and secure boot and installed with no issues and runs just fine.

 

[Theinsanegamer]

MS WILL bend on this, when the hundreds of millions of windows 10 PCs dont magically get recycled and instead become the next generation of bots. Remember how terrible XP was for botnets?

Just admit windows is a windows 10 skin and remove the requirements already.

I am running a i7-6700k with a vanilla install of Windows 11, no hack or Rufus made install USB

Got a TPM 2.0 module for my MSI Z270M Mortar off Amazon for $20, updated to the latest bios and enabled tpm and secure boot and installed with no issues and runs just fine.

The only way that would be possible would be if MS broke their processor detection step in the installer.

 

[Haaky]

Yea and is Microsoft gonna reemburse people that have to buy a new computer and can't afford these insane prices???????

 

[Loadedaxe]

MS WILL bend on this, when the hundreds of millions of windows 10 PCs dont magically get recycled and instead become the next generation of bots. Remember how terrible XP was for botnets?

Just admit windows is a windows 10 skin and remove the requirements already.

The only way that would be possible would be if MS broke their processor detection step in the installer.

Microsoft Loosens Windows 11 Install Requirements, TPM 2.0 Not Needed Anymore

Microsoft has finally opened the iron gate guarding the Windows 11 upgrade for systems running incompatible hardware, including systems lacking TPM 2.0. This is excellent news for users who are rocking older systems or have been without the TPM 2.0 module in their system but want to upgrade to...

www.techpowerup.com

Maybe, I haven't dug that much into it. I downloaded the installation media, created a USB from it and installed with no issues.

I am also running it on a i5-7500 mini, installed without any warnings or hiccups.

 

[Loadedaxe]

Yea and is Microsoft gonna reemburse people that have to buy a new computer and can't afford these insane prices???????

No, just like Apple doesnt, 7 years on macOS is all you get, Phones and tablets the same way.

Upgrade or ....

At least MS ran it longer, 10 years of support was a long time.

 

[pnntmp]

Company doesn't mention that this means buying a new device

LOL seriously, does someone needs to be told that scrapping your old device means buying a new one?

This end of support thing is way overblown.
Windows 11 can be installed on *any* computer capable of running Win7 or Win10 without problems. I have no idea why Microsoft is pushing it, especially to home users. They don't sell hardware, and no one in their right mind would buy extended support or a new PC ... what's the point? It only makes them look bad, with zero benefit.

 

[netman]

My windows 8.1 pro running just fine with no issues...!

 

[RF Match]

No, just like Apple doesnt, 7 years on macOS is all you get, Phones and tablets the same way.

Upgrade or ....

At least MS ran it longer, 10 years of support was a long time.

Prices are really not insane either.....they are actually remarkably cheap in many cases.

 

[candle86]

I just moved my in-laws to an enterprise retired optiplex 5060 with i5-8400 and 8gb DDR4 2666 and 256gb m.2 all for $80 for the entire system and it runs 11 natively. It's not expensive to get compliant.

 

[CrisisDog]

Using the known registry hacks to allow Windows 11 to install, I’ve found that it complains much less about older processors than the TPM 2.0 requirement. Have several older HP Xeon workstations that were able to get their TPMs firmware updated for 2.0 compliance, add the registry entries to bypass CPU age, and no issues so far. Not necessarily easy for the average un-technical person, but there’s a few work arounds to try. And for the remainder, openSUSE Tumbleweed, which surprisingly is becoming an increasing request, probably because it’s something “new” and different to learn and use.

 

[dualkelly]

Still have a windows 7 machine working perfectly. Does not need an upgrade. windows 10 wont magically stop working this is just fear mongering. As an individual you do not need MS support. It breaks more things than it fixes. Never once had an issue with spyware or virus on my 7 machine.

 

[dangh]

Just install linux and enjoy an os you have control over.

 

[Anton Longshot]

240 millions of people, probably most of them without disposable income, cause someone with one, would already update Their machine.
Great job, Microsoft. You will budge, either when number of botnets running on those PCs will start to eat into Your bottom line, or when people will switch to some simplified Linux distro.
In a last year I helped two elderly family members to service PCs that are over +10 years, with Windows 7 and 8 respectively. They just use It to open Firefox, watch news and seek recipies. No viruses detected. Machines running fine, but what would You expect? The difference between Core 3rd gen and 14th gen is minimal, mostly overclocking.

Ninja'd!
I'd like to add that I live in a supposedly-rich country: NL - almost none of my family and friends myself included can afford to buy a new computer.

Also, s**** 11 I'm not gonna install thát no matter what. I'm going to install Enterprise 10 soon and if that doesn't work or stops working...linux. BUT I'm a bit of a nerd; most people aren't so lucky and don't know how to fix their stuff.
USA...well that's a difficult situation anyway but I'm pretty sure-ISH the EU will pressure Microft a bit to keep the Win10 EOL situation from happening.

 

[Dimitriid]

I first I thought of it just as a joke but this is so blatant I think there's a tiny little chance there's some actual collusion from Dell, HP and Lenovo with Microsoft to get people to buy new hardware unnecessarily so: If we lived in functional societies Microsoft would be forced into public ownership and all of their code transitioned to open source just so people can actually use their hardware.

Not that we live in functional societies though: we have more than ample evidence of that at this point in the US mainly but also in Europe, all over the globe.

 

[candle86]

I first I thought of it just as a joke but this is so blatant I think there's a tiny little chance there's some actual collusion from Dell, HP and Lenovo with Microsoft to get people to buy new hardware unnecessarily so: If we lived in functional societies Microsoft would be forced into public ownership and all of their code transitioned to open source just so people can actually use their hardware.

Not that we live in functional societies though: we have more than ample evidence of that at this point in the US mainly but also in Europe, all over the globe.

Why should their code be turned over to the public, they wrote it and have a right to profit from their work, what your proposing is called theft

 

[brucek]

No, just like Apple doesnt, 7 years on macOS is all you get, Phones and tablets the same way.

True, but that's not going to help Microsoft when the hundreds of millions of machines they unilaterally turned into a giant cyber terror system is on the front page of every newspaper.

Apple's situation is much more favorable because:

- their users typically want to upgrade at that point to receive something new they are excited about, as opposed to windows users feeling forced to pay again for something they perceive as no better or even less good. (see: preference for windows 10)

- whether fair or not, Apple devices are much less frequently associated with newsworthy security nightmares. Maybe it's only because there's a lot less of them out there (computers), or they are less often used industrially, or maybe it's because they really do have better security. I don't know. But hospitals and pipelines are not shutting down due to security bugs in MacOS. But they are from Windows.

Ultimately mainstream America is not going to be fooled by Microsoft unilaterally deciding they need to throw out perfectly good computers to get a new skin of what is still a very similar operating system. They do not enjoy a lot of public good will as it is. If and when their ploy leads to widespread harm, I predict there will be plenty of politicians, juries, and pitchfork-carrying citizens eager to make them rue this decision. The security bugs in products they sold are their responsibility only. I'm not aware of any mechanism that allows them to unilaterally disown responsibility for their consequences especially when they had easily available means of fixing them and actively went out of their way not to do so.

 

[Branch]

Isn't Windows 12 right around the corner?
Manufactured urgency.

 

[Loadedaxe]

Isn't Windows 12 right around the corner?
Manufactured urgency.

If and when they do, usually when they stop supporting a previous version. Maybe late 25 early 26. No one knows there has been no word from MS, just rumors.

 

[flipp3r]

LOL seriously, does someone needs to be told that scrapping your old device means buying a new one?

This end of support thing is way overblown.
Windows 11 can be installed on *any* computer capable of running Win7 or Win10 without problems. I have no idea why Microsoft is pushing it, especially to home users. They don't sell hardware, and no one in their right mind would buy extended support or a new PC ... what's the point? It only makes them look bad, with zero benefit.

They'll get you on office subscriptions or MS Store purchases, etc. That's why they don't care about people activating win11 for free - they get you in the end...

 

[Loadedaxe]

We used to eagerly anticipate the release of a shiny new operating system, but ever since Windows XP, that excitement has faded. Nowadays, every time Microsoft launches a new OS, the pitchforks come out. At the end of the day, Microsoft is in the business of making money, and supporting old software and hardware doesn’t align with their financial goals. Not to mention, keeping up with all the old drivers they have to support along the way.

Then you will have the "MS is a dying company, they haven't released a new OS in 10 years"

I get that everyone wants to jump on the "***** wagon" but MS owns their OS, use it or don't, you have other options, as the old saying goes, "speak with your wallet" if you don't want the change.

I remember these exact same conversations when W10 came out.

And to say they don't have the right... or they should release their code to the public...

You do realize without Windows you would be on Linux or macOS, maybe that's a good thing or not, I have no idea I use all 3 and the differences and annoyances of each is for another conversation.

Linux has come a long way, if you are so bothered by this, go give it a try, you will get a million different opinions on which flavor to use, that's a whole different beast. The community around Linux has made it easier to ....oh wait "Install MS compatible software" (referring to your games). For the mainstream user, you do not need any other MS compatible software, there is replacements for everything and they even work very well.

Show MS your tired of this Windows 11 they are shoving down your throat, go buy a Apple Mac Mini, or keep your 10+ year old machine (I did) and install Linux, show them who is boss!

 

[ZedRM]

Microsoft is taking this forced obsolescence to a whole new level. They need to be put in their place. They need to have Windows taken away from them if they're not going to behave like responsible adults.

 

[yannus]

How long can people endure abuse from a corporation until they realize that closed source (or their laziness/submission) is the source of so many problems in the world ?

Linux (and courage) is the solution.

 

[Shirley Dulcey]

Trade them? Nobody is buying those older systems any more. About all you can do is sell them for scrap. 240 million computers is a LOT of scrap, so even the scrap dealers may not be buying after a while as their ability to handle computers will be overwhelmed.