The occasion was criticism directed at Microsoft from European consumer protection organizations.
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Official support for Windows 10 concluded on October 14, 2025. Technically, users could secure an extra year of security updates via the ESU program.
However, Microsoft altered the terms for joining it several times, clarifying them only in late September. Consequently, many users purchased new PCs prematurely, unaware their existing devices could have functioned safely for another year.
According to survey data, roughly one-third of Windows 10 owners have already replaced their computers, which regulators suggest has caused an increase in e-waste. Furthermore, some users intend to continue operating without security updates, posing risks.
Verbraucherzentrale Bundesverband believes that digital security should not hinge on the decisions of individual corporations. The organization suggests establishing minimum and clear software support durations at the EU level, linked to the actual lifespan of the devices.
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