3 6 Ke·2025-10-10 12:02Core Viewpoint - Microsoft is set to end support for Windows 10 on October 14, which will leave millions of users vulnerable to security risks as the company tightens upgrade restrictions for Windows 11, effectively forcing many older devices into obsolescence [1][5]. Group 1: Windows 10 Support Termination - Microsoft will officially stop providing security updates for Windows 10 on October 14, impacting approximately 42% of global Windows devices still running this OS, with 36.38% in the U.S. [5][6]. - The FBI reported that in 2024, U.S. users faced losses exceeding $16 billion due to cyberattacks, a 33% increase year-over-year, with older adults suffering over $5 billion in losses [5]. Group 2: Windows 11 Upgrade Restrictions - Microsoft has removed the ability to create local accounts during the Windows 11 installation process, requiring users to be online and logged into a Microsoft account to complete the setup [3][4]. - Nearly 43% of devices are unable to upgrade to Windows 11 due to high hardware requirements, which include a 64-bit processor, 64GB of storage, and TPM 2.0 support [7]. Group 3: Environmental and Economic Impact - The termination of Windows 10 support could lead to around 400 million devices becoming vulnerable to attacks or being discarded as electronic waste, with over 100 million pounds of e-waste expected to be generated in the U.S. alone [7]. - The cost of new Windows 11 devices poses a significant burden for low-income families, with entry-level models starting at approximately $300 and high-performance models exceeding $3,000, amid rising unemployment rates in the U.S. [7][8]. Group 4: Criticism and Contradictions - Nathan Proctor from PIRG criticized Microsoft's actions as compromising user security and highlighted the stark contrast between the current situation and the past when Windows 8 support ended, which affected only about 4% of users [8]. - Microsoft’s commitment to achieving carbon-negative operations by 2030 is called into question, as the discontinuation of Windows 10 support is expected to generate significant electronic waste, contradicting their environmental promises [8].