jasdooit

Microsoft’s decision to stop providing updates for its Windows 10 operating system in mid-October has caused concern among advocacy groups and made some users anxious about needing to purchase new devices to protect themselves from online threats.

Here is what you should be aware of regarding the upcoming end of support for the software.

What occurs on October 14?

Windows 10 systems using Microsoft’s 2015 version will stop receiving updates from the U.S. technology company starting October 14.

These downloads were utilized to “frequently update the operating system as it had become a frequent target of cyberattacks,” noted Martin Kraemer, a computer security specialist from the American company KnowBe4.

What is the implication for users?

Microsoft has encouraged its users to move to the newest version of its operating system: Windows 11, which was launched in 2021.

However, the company is also providing a $30 one-year extension for Windows 10 security updates to users whose computer hardware does not support the latest operating system.

Consumer advocacy organizations have criticized the action.

“The absence of backward compatibility for some Windows 10 devices purchased just a few years back is a setback for consumers’ finances,” according to a blog post from the US advocacy group Consumer Reports last week, as users are compelled to upgrade.

In Europe, French organizations like End Planned Obsolescence (HOP) have initiated a petition calling for free updates that will last until 2030.

And the German Verbraucherzentrale, a federation of consumer organizations, stated in May that the action “concerns consumers and prevents them from making independent buying choices.”

“Such a significant number of new (computer) acquisitions also harms the environment,” they noted, highlighting the generation of substantial electronic waste that is difficult to recycle.

How many individuals are impacted?

Microsoft did not respond to AFP’s inquiry regarding the number of Windows users who cannot perform an upgrade.

However, Consumer Reports noted that 650 million people globally were still using Windows 10 in August.

Another U.S.-based organization, the Public Interest Research Group (PIRG), estimates that as many as 400 million computers are not compatible with Windows 11.

What are the risks?

Individuals who are unable to transition and fail to subscribe to security updates encounter an increased risk of cyber threats.

“Without receiving updates, you are no longer safeguarding yourself from the latest cyber threats,” Kraemer stated.

Even though the rise in visibility is “extremely challenging” to measure for each user, as a collective, they would be high-priority victims for hackers searching for vulnerabilities.

As time passes, users of Windows 10 might also discover they can no longer install the newest third-party applications, according to Paddy Harrington from the American consulting company Forrester.

“Application developers depend on the operating system provider to offer specific features and capabilities,” Harrington noted.

If these are not revised, the application provider cannot guarantee that their software will keep working correctly.

What other options are available to users?

Even the latest antivirus programs might not provide sufficient protection for an operating system that is no longer getting updates.

“There are boundaries to the protection they can provide… it’s significantly better than taking no action, but it should serve as a short-term fix while you seek a long-term remedy,” Harrington stated.

Users who are committed to using their current hardware can opt for an alternative operating system, such as the open-source option Linux — which is already popular for various devices including internet servers and serves as the foundation for Google’s Android mobile operating system.

“Provided your applications are compatible with that OS and your management and security tools support it, it’s a suitable option,” Harrington stated.