Microsoft ends free support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, affecting approximately 400 million computers worldwide that cannot upgrade to Windows 11 due to hardware requirements. Users must either pay for extended security updates ($30-$61 per device annually), purchase new computers, or continue using unsupported systems vulnerable to cyberattacks. Consumer and environmental advocates criticize the decision as creating massive e-waste and leaving economically disadvantaged users exposed to security risks, particularly as cybercrime costs Americans over $16 billion annually. The move contradicts Microsoft's environmental commitments while disproportionately impacting workers, students, and seniors who rely on computers for essential tasks.