Linux or Landfill: The Tough Choice Facing PC Charities as Windows 10 Nears Its End

In less than seven months, on October 14, 2025, Microsoft will end free security updates for Windows 10, an operating system still running on nearly 60% of Windows PCs worldwide. For most users, this signals a shift to Windows 11 or a new device. But for charities that refurbish and donate computers to underserved communities, it's a crisis in the making. With millions of PCs unable to meet Windows 11's strict hardware requirements, these organizations face a tough choice: continue distributing increasingly vulnerable Windows 10 systems, switch to a Linux-based alternative, or send still-functional hardware to the landfill. The stakes-security, accessibility, and environmental impact-are enormous.

The Countdown to Obsolescence

Microsoft's decision to sunset Windows 10 support has been long anticipated, but its consequences are now undeniable. A 2023 Canalys report estimates that 240 million PCs-many from the mid-2010s-cannot upgrade to Windows 11 due to its requirements: a TPM 2.0 chip, Secure Boot, and a supported CPU (Intel 8th Gen or AMD Ryzen 2000 series and later). A 6th-generation Intel Core i5 from 2015, for example, might still handle daily tasks but won't qualify. After October 2025, these machines will remain on Windows 10, exposed to every new exploit that surfaces.

Chester Wisniewski, a cybersecurity expert at Sophos, highlights the risk. "Once support ends, Windows 10 users will be somewhat defenseless," he told Tom's Hardware. Since Windows 10 and 11 share a codebase, patches for the latter will expose unpatched flaws in the former. Recent Patch Tuesday updates-57 fixes in February 2025, 159 in January-illustrate the ongoing threat. For charities like PCs for People, which refurbishes 140,000 PCs annually for low-income families, distributing insecure systems isn't just impractical-it's a moral quandary.

A Hardware Barrier

Windows 11's requirements enhance security, but they're rigid. Many PCs from 2015-2017 lack TPM 2.0 or fall short on CPU specs, even if they perform well for basic needs like browsing or word processing. Microsoft offers Extended Security Updates (ESU) for Windows 10 at $61 per year, but this cost is prohibitive for non-profits and their clients. The result is a vast pool of hardware facing obsolescence-not because it's broken, but because it's locked out.

Charities at a Crossroads

Refurbishers are responding in varied ways. PCs for People stopped installing Windows 10 last year. CEO Casey Sorensen outlined their strategy: systems with 8th-gen Intel CPUs or newer get Windows 11; 6th- and 7th-gen machines switch to Linux Mint, supported until 2029; and anything older (5th-gen or earlier) goes to e-waste recyclers. It's a practical approach, but not all agree. A Long Island charity, for instance, sticks with Windows 10, valuing familiarity for seniors and students over long-term security-a pragmatic but risky choice.

Linux: Salvation or Struggle?

Linux Mint, a free and lightweight operating system, offers a lifeline. Its Cinnamon desktop mimics Windows, and it runs efficiently on older hardware. Sorensen sees a cultural shift: "Ten years ago, Linux was alien. Now, people see PCs as windows to the internet," easing the transition for basic tasks. Yet challenges linger. Software like Adobe Photoshop or niche tools like Print Shop don't run natively, and non-tech-savvy users-seniors or students trained on Windows-face a learning curve. Without robust support, Linux could alienate the very people charities aim to serve.

The Landfill Threat

The alternative to adaptation is disposal, and the scale is daunting. If even half of those 240 million PCs become e-waste, that's over 1 billion pounds of discarded electronics-equivalent to 320,000 cars, per TechSpot. In the U.S., only 17.4% of e-waste was recycled in 2019 (per EPA data), though estimates reach up to 40%; much of the rest ends up in landfills, leaching toxins like lead and mercury. For charities, scrapping older systems is often the default, as recycling costs outweigh resale value. Without intervention, the environmental toll could be catastrophic.

Microsoft's Responsibility

Critics point fingers at Microsoft. Windows 11's strict requirements, labeled "draconian" by Tom's Hardware in 2023, spark accusations of a strategy to boost new PC sales. Unlike past transitions-Windows XP gave way to the leaner Windows 7-there's no free, lightweight successor for Windows 10. Online chatter suggests Microsoft is prioritizing profit over social good. Could they relax specs or extend support? Technically, yes. Will they? Unlikely.

A Broader Solution

The "Linux or landfill" dilemma oversimplifies the issue. Charities could blend strategies: Linux with Windows emulators (like Wine) for key software, Windows 10 with clear disclaimers for short-term use, and recycling as a last resort. Larger fixes beckon too. Microsoft could subsidize ESU for non-profits or partner with OEMs to donate Windows 11-compatible systems. Governments could mandate recycling or fund Linux training, as the EU does for sustainable tech. Linux communities might offer free workshops to bridge the support gap.

A Call to Action

With October 2025 approaching, PC charities face a pivotal moment. Linux can extend hardware life, but it requires investment in education and support. Landfills loom as a threat, but they're not inevitable. This isn't just a tech challenge-it's about equity, keeping low-income families connected, and sustainability, ensuring functional devices don't become trash. Microsoft, charities, and society must collaborate, or we'll all bear the cost of a future where "obsolete" means discarded, not reimagined.