It’s no secret that Microsoft is trying to get more folks to upgrade to Windows 11. After all, in just over a year, Microsoft will discontinue support of Windows 10.
Should you upgrade? Yes.
That is… if you’re eligible to upgrade. Computers that were sold before 2019, however, are very likely not eligible to upgrade. Microsoft’s answer? Just buy a new computer!
Ready for the hard numbers? It is estimated that up to 240 million computers operating today are NOT eligible to upgrade to Windows 11.
But there’s the problem. If everyone went out to buy a new computer… do you see where this is going? What happens to the 240 million old computers?
Reuters estimates that this could equate to about 529,000 tons of electronic waste thrown into the landfill. For perspective, that is like throwing about 320,000 cars in the dump. That’s… the problem.
Microsoft has somewhat responded by saying that the 2025 end of support… doesn’t have to be the end. That they could extend support to 2028… if you’re willing to pay for it.
Microsoft should (hopefully) offer a “lite” version of Windows 11 that can work on older equipment. But Microsoft will likely hold out until the last minute before even remotely offering anything like that.
Worst case scenario… I’d like to think that big retailers will offer some form of a “trade-in program” for folks to exchange their old computers (to recycle) for a discount on an attractive discount on a new computer.
Here’s hoping, anyway.
If you DO have systems eligible, you should most certainly upgrade. It’s free, it’s simple-ish, and you can avoid all the drama in just over a year when free support for Windows 10 ends.
Of course, you can always reach out to us if you or your small office needs help assitance in upgrading to Windows 11. We can help you recycle your old equipment and help get things up to date.
