Windows 10 support has ended. 240 million PCs don’t have to become e-waste
Canalys warned that around 240 million PCs could be scrapped when Windows 10 support ended in October 2025. There is a better path: upgrade what you can, and replace the rest with refurbished Windows 11-ready hardware.
Techrenova® Team
Microsoft ended support for Windows 10 on 14 October 2025. Ahead of the deadline, research firm Canalys estimated that around 240 million PCs could end up as e-waste, largely because they do not meet Windows 11’s hardware requirements, such as newer processors and TPM 2.0. Reuters, citing Canalys, put the potential waste at about 480 million kilograms.
Three options — and the hidden fourth
- Upgrade eligible devices to Windows 11. Many machines from recent years qualify.
- Buy Extended Security Updates for devices that must stay on Windows 10 for a while — a paid, temporary bridge.
- Replace with new hardware — the most expensive option, and one that adds to the e-waste problem if old devices are simply discarded.
- Replace with refurbished, Windows 11-capable business laptops. Enterprise models retired from corporate fleets after a few years typically meet Windows 11 requirements and cost a fraction of new.
Why the timing matters in 2026
The refresh wave lifted new PC shipments in 2025; IDC reported that Asia/Pacific traditional PC shipments grew 11.6% in 2025, driven partly by Windows 10 end of support. For 2026, IDC expects shipments to decline as component shortages and rising prices put pressure on supply. When new hardware gets scarcer and more expensive, high-quality refurbished supply becomes even more valuable.
What we recommend
- Inventory your fleet and separate Windows 11-eligible devices from the rest.
- Send ineligible devices to a certified IT-asset-disposition partner — never to landfill.
- Fill the gap with refurbished enterprise laptops, with certified data sanitisation and warranty.
Techrenova® refurbishes 30,000–35,000 business laptops a month from Japanese corporate fleets. Ask us about Windows 11-ready volume supply.
Sources
Written by
Techrenova® Team
