In a strongly worded public letter, influential nonprofit Consumer Reports is demanding that Microsoft extend free support for Windows 10, calling the upcoming October 14th cutoff deadline a move that will “strand millions of consumers” and create a significant cybersecurity risk. The letter, addressed directly to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, argues that ending free security updates for an operating system still used by nearly half of all Windows users is both irresponsible and hypocritical. This public pressure campaign adds a powerful voice to the growing chorus of concern over the forced obsolescence of hundreds of millions of perfectly functional PCs that are unable to upgrade to Windows 11 due to its strict hardware requirements.
The core of the argument from Consumer Reports hinges on the sheer scale of the problem. Citing recent data, the letter notes that as of August 2025, a staggering 46.2 percent of people worldwide are still using Windows 10. Compounding this, an estimated 200 to 400 million PCs are perfectly capable but cannot be upgraded to Windows 11 because they lack specific hardware, such as a TPM 2.0 chip. By cutting off free security updates, Microsoft will be leaving this massive user base vulnerable to cyberattacks. The letter calls out the hypocrisy of Microsoft urging customers to upgrade for better security on one hand, while simultaneously creating a massive new security vulnerability on the other. This is a critical issue for the world of Cyber Security.
The organization also criticized Microsoft’s paid “extended security updates” (ESU) program, which it argues is not a viable solution for the average consumer. The letter points out the irony of charging users a fee “for a mere one-year extension to preserve their machine’s security,” a move that feels like profiting from a problem Microsoft itself created. This stance is echoed by other advocacy groups like the Public Interest Research Group (PIRG), which has also petitioned for an extended deadline. PIRG warns that forcing an upgrade will have a massive environmental impact, as “as many as 400 million perfectly good computers… will be thrown out,” creating a monumental e-waste problem. For users who are unsure of what to do, our guide on how to upgrade Windows 10 to Windows 11 provides clear options, but the hardware limitations remain a hard barrier for many.
Ultimately, Consumer Reports is asking Microsoft to continue providing free security updates for Windows 10 until a much larger percentage of users have naturally transitioned to Windows 11. They are advocating for a user-centric approach that doesn’t force millions to choose between paying for security, buying a new PC they don’t need, or leaving themselves exposed to online threats. This entire debate is a crucial development in the world of PC & Software, and Microsoft is now under intense public pressure to respond.
