Famous tech company Microsoft Corp has announced that the support of Windows-10 operating system will be stopped from October 14, 2025.
According to Canalys Research, if the company closes the support system from this date, then about 24 crore personal computers (PCs) worldwide will become junk. This may also include your PC.
By turning such a large number of computers into junk, about 48 crore kg of electronic waste can be generated, which is equivalent to 3.20 lakh cars.
Canalys warned that if Microsoft does not provide security updates to Windows 10, demand for its devices may decrease.
However, Microsoft has announced plans to provide security updates for Windows 10 devices at annual prices until October 2028.
According to Canalys Research, Microsoft is preparing to introduce a next-generation operating system (OS) with advanced artificial intelligence technology in PCs, which could potentially give a boost to the lagging personal computer market.
According to Reuters, Microsoft did not respond to a request for comment on the environmental impact associated with the disposal of Windows 11 incompatible devices.
Hard drives used in personal computers and data storage servers are used in electric vehicle motors and even renewable energy generation. It can be recycled.
“Turning old computers into magnets can be used in sustainable power generation technologies,” said Peter Afuny, chief commercial officer of NovoOn Magnetics, a US waste recycling company. According to him, it can be used in electric vehicles and wind turbines which can help in meeting the increasing global demand for electricity.
Afuni said hard drives are often discarded before they reach the end of their lifespan, creating rare earth magnetic material waste.
Battery recycling firm Redwood Materials also said batteries can be recycled almost infinitely to recover metals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel and copper.