The clock is ticking for millions of Windows 10 users. Come October 14, 2025—ironically also international e-waste day—Microsoft will pull the plug on support for its popular operating system. This will leave an estimated 200 to 400 million computers worldwide vulnerable to security risks and destined for the scrap heap. If chucked out, they will join the 62 million tonnes of e-waste already piling up in poisonous heaps of refuse across the globe. As we’ve written about time and time again, this impending obsolescence is a massive environmental and economic problem. What’s more frustrating is that these discarded electronics, if managed properly, could have had a much longer lifespan.
But what if there was a way to sidestep this cycle of mass production, forced upgrades and unnecessary waste? Is it really so much to ask to be able to keep your current computer and ensure it lasts for as long as its components work?
Endof10 says the solution is already out there
If you have a Microsoft PC, you may have already been receiving incessant warning notifications for the past year. Microsoft has pushed full-screen notifications onto users’ screens, encouraging them to bin their current devices, even for computers able to upgrade to Windows 11. Aside from the obvious waste, imagine the copious amounts of energy that hardware production alone consumes; “all of which is for absolutely nothing when a working device lands in the bin”, according to the “End Of 10” campaign. This global initiative, launched worldwide in 2024, is dedicated to helping Windows 10 users avoid this outcome. They are mobilising a global network to spread the word that the cheapest and most environmentally-friendly computer is the one you already own.
The solution is remarkably straightforward. It is, quite simply, switching from Windows 10 to Linux. This free, secure and open-source operating system is already quietly powering millions of products, from smartphones to supercomputers; even robots currently exploring Mars. The beauty of Linux is that it’s incredibly flexible and adaptable. It’s capable of breathing new life into older machines that Windows 11 won’t touch. Endof10 guide Windows 10 users every step of the way; from initial outreach through to installation and Linux troubleshooting.
As the Berlin-based association Topio shows, customers can extend the life of their devices using Google-free operating systems. Even here, however, we are seeing a trend towards manufacturers locking their devices for third-party operating systems.
Topio operates a market stall in Berlin, which we visited recently. More information here!
While the transition between Windows and Linux operating systems might intimidate the technologically unsavvy, the benefits, many argue, span far beyond the appeal of keeping your computer. For one, Linux nags you less frequently with constant updates. It’s more customisable, allowing users to tweak the graphical interface, swap out themes and boot loaders as they wish. Likewise, unlike Windows, where uninstalling a program can feel like defusing a bomb (we’re looking at you, Microsoft Edge!), Linux allows for seamless software removal without fear of system-wide fallout.
However, practicality aside, there are more ideological reasons to join the Linux movement. The relentless “data hunger” of tech giants remains a persistent concern, with Microsoft being a well-documented offender in this realm. Both Windows 10 and, even more egregiously, Windows 11 are notorious for their extensive user data collection, not all of it necessary for the main system to function. Likewise, there’s been more and more scepticism about the privacy of some of their recent projects, which have made many security experts uneasy.
A global community of volunteers vs. greedy tech giants
The real beauty of Endof10 is its impressively collaborative approach. A worldwide network of “helpers”—individuals and groups, usually volunteers—offer guidance and assistance with installation in repair cafes and community tech hubs all over the world; from Idaho, to Indonesia, to Iran and back again. The community also hosts a growing list of upcoming events and social media campaigns to reach as many people as possible.
How can we ensure a green digital future?
Growing e-waste, carbon emissions from AI, data centre water usage—is rampant digitalisation compatible with a healthy planet? Our latest project explores how digital tools and services can be developed with sustainability in mind.
Endof10 doesn’t promote any specific Linux distribution, avoiding any potential debates over which desktop environments or distributions are the best, which might demotivate some people to make the switch. On its website, it says its goal is simply “to speak as a big FOSS (Free and Open Source Software) family. We want the campaign and activities to represent all of our communities.”
Endof10 is convinced that there are both ideologically and practically no downsides to making the switch. “When you choose Linux, you get everything you could ever want for daily use, and the same machine can be working for decades. Whether you need to work, run a company, stay connected, or relax, the software shipped with Linux is often beautiful, blazing fast, easy to use and always under your control.”
