Consumer Reports is urging Microsoft to extend support for Windows 10, which is set to end on October 14th. The organization argues that this decision will leave millions of users stranded, as approximately 46.2 percent of people globally still rely on Windows 10, and an estimated 200 to 400 million PCs cannot upgrade to Windows 11 due to hardware incompatibilities. In a letter to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, Consumer Reports criticized the company for promoting upgrades to Windows 11 while leaving existing Windows 10 devices vulnerable to cyberattacks. They also highlighted the $30 fee for a one-year extension of security updates as an unfair burden, urging Microsoft to continue offering free support until more users can transition to Windows 11.
Why do we care?
Microsoft’s pulling the plug on Windows 10 this October—and nearly half the PCs on the planet still run it. Worse, up to 400 million machines can’t even upgrade to Windows 11. What’s Microsoft’s answer? A $30-a-year tax for security updates. Consumer Reports says that’s unfair. That alone seems notable and different.
This lands squarely in MSPs’ laps. Clients will be mad—“Why is my PC suddenly unsafe?”—and you’ll have to explain the Microsoft toll booth or push for hardware upgrades. Sure, there’s project work to be had, but also a lot of customer heat. The smart move? Get ahead of it now: package refreshes, set clear policies, and don’t let Microsoft’s timeline turn into your emergency.