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Windows 10 end of support: why recycling beats scrapping your laptops
Microsoft has confirmed that official support for Windows 10 will end on 14 October 2025. With over 400 million devices worldwide still running the operating system, the decision could spark an environmental crisis if people simply discard otherwise functional laptops.
The good news is that scrapping your machines isn’t the only option. With the right approach, your devices can continue to serve you well, and in the process, your business could save money while helping the planet.
What the end of Windows 10 support really means
The change will mean Microsoft will no longer offer fixes, new features or security updates after the 14th October 2025. If you do nothing, your devices and users could be vulnerable to hackers.
However, Microsoft have confirmed they will continue to update Windows’ free, default Defender Antivirus on Windows 10 until October 2028, and that’s the first line of defence in terms of security from things like viruses, trojans, and spyware.
Laptops running the system won’t suddenly stop working, but they will become increasingly vulnerable to malware and cyber threats.
What can you do about Windows 10 ending support?
Buy new laptops
For many, the most tempting response will be to buy a new laptop. Suppliers are already pushing this as the default solution. Yet manufacturing a single laptop generates around 300kg of carbon emissions and requires large amounts of rare earth minerals, making it one of the least sustainable choices.
Upgrade to windows 11
A more responsible approach is to check whether your current laptops can run Windows 11 and buy more time with a free upgrade. Microsoft’s PC Health Check app quickly tells you if your devices are compatible. Unfortunately, many machines built before 2017 lack the TPM 2.0 chip and other features required for the upgrade.
Extend windows 10 license for a year
Another route is to extend Windows 10’s life through Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates (ESU) programme. This buys extra time but users may have to pay for some of that time until support ends entirely in 2028.
Convert to Linux or ChromeOS Flex
For laptops that don’t qualify for Windows 11, there are alternatives. Lightweight operating systems such as Linux or ChromeOS Flex can give older devices a new lease of life, keeping them secure and fast with regular updates.
Why recycling your unwanted laptops is better for the environment
The UK already generates more than 1.5 million tonnes of electronic waste every year, with laptops making up a significant portion. Improper disposal not only wastes valuable materials like gold, silver, and rare earth elements, but also risks toxic substances such as lithium and mercury leaching into soil and water. Worse still, many devices sent for “recycling” are actually shipped overseas, where they are dismantled in unsafe conditions or end up in landfills. Find out about our laptop recycling service.
The Obsolete Computer Campaign
To prevent a surge in unnecessary e-waste, here at Zero Tech Waste we’ve partnered with Back Market to launch the Obsolete Computer Campaign. This is an initiative designed to keep business laptops in circulation — instead of sending corporate devices to scrap when they can’t run Windows 11, we prepare them for a second life.
First, we securely wipe all data from each laptop to NCSC-approved standards. Then we install ChromeOS Flex before packaging it with a UK standard charger. The result is a range of reliable, business-grade Lenovo Laptops that would otherwise have been discarded. Corporate laptops in particular make excellent refurbished machines. They are built with durable, enterprise-grade components, usually receive regular maintenance during their working life, and come with standardised configurations that ensure consistency and reliability.
Why recycling your Windows 10 laptops matters
Every refurbished laptop through the campaign prevents an estimated 300kg of CO2 emissions, saves around 1,500 litres of water, and preserves the rare earth minerals that would otherwise be lost in disposal. At the same time, ChromeOS Flex offers a modern, secure, and efficient computing experience on hardware that many people assumed was obsolete.
Beyond sustainability, the campaign also supports digital inclusion in the UK by making refurbished laptops affordable for students, families, small businesses, and remote workers who need reliable devices but want to avoid the cost and environmental impact of buying new.
A sustainable path for businesses
For organisations preparing for Windows 10’s end of support, working with Zero Tech Waste offers a practical and responsible alternative. We destroy sensitive data using certified processes, compliance records are provided, and all disposal meets Environment Agency standards. Companies also benefit from measurable sustainability reporting and for qualifying collections – free disposal costs.
Taking the next step
Now is the time to audit existing hardware, plan sustainable disposal routes, and partner with a certified recycler who can extend the useful life of IT assets.
The Windows 10 transition is more than a technical deadline – it is an opportunity to rethink how we manage technology. By extending device lifecycles and embracing refurbishment, we reduce environmental harm, conserve resources, and create value from equipment that might otherwise become waste.
To find out more or to arrange a sustainable IT disposal plan, contact Zero Tech Waste on 0800 494 7778 or book a collection request.
Photo by Panos Sakalakis on Unsplash
