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Windows 10 Support End Forces Tough Upgrade Choices, German Survey Finds

Consumer advocates warn Microsoft’s timeline pushes unnecessary purchases and creates more electronic waste.

Overview

  • An online survey of 800 Windows users in Germany found 31% say they will need a new computer due to Windows 10’s phaseout or have already bought one.
  • Forty-six percent report they have moved to Windows 11 or plan to do so soon, while 34% intend to keep using Windows 10 despite security risks.
  • Only 4% of respondents have switched to another operating system or already made the change.
  • Windows 11’s stricter hardware requirements mean some users must replace devices, and German consumer group vzbv criticizes the burden on budgets and the environment.
  • Microsoft ended free mainstream support on October 14 and then granted a one-year extension for registered users, with an additional year of updates available through a paid program.