Earlier this month, we learned that the French government had decided to abandon Windows and go Linux to reduce its reliance on US-based technologies. Last year, Denmark took a similar step.
But several collectives in France are protesting the end of Windows 10.
Although Microsoft ended mainstream support for Windows 10 in October 2025, customers have the option to enroll in the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, which allows them to continue receiving paid security updates.
However, this is not enough for environmentalists in France, who are holding protests criticizing Microsoft for this move.
French news agency CLPress has detailed coverage of the protest, during which they carried a coffin to highlight the symbolic death of Windows 10:
Environmentalists who have participated in these protests have criticized Microsoft for taking billions of dollars in profits and deciding to “arbitrarily” end support for a popular operating system as part of a “planned obsolescence” strategy, leading to millions of devices ending up in e-waste landfills, further harming the environment. They claim this will happen because people will be forced to pay for new Windows 11 devices to meet the hardware requirements, further contributing to Microsoft’s profits.
The protesters' demand is to extend support for Windows 10 until 2030, as the current one-year ESU is not enough. 50.000 people have already signed the petition urging Microsoft to extend support.
Six organizations joined the protest, namely Non-Violent Action COP21, Alternatiba, April, Stop Planned Obsolescence, Que Choisir Ensemble and Zero Waste France. They claim that Microsoft's deadlines mean millions of working devices will go to waste.
Some people participating in the protests urged consumers to abandon Windows altogether and simply switch to Linux on their existing computers.
Of course, it's unlikely that Microsoft will bow to pressure from French organizations. The company has been preparing the public for the end of Windows 10 support for some time, so it probably won't be moved by the coffin of Windows 10.
Although the press releases will range from very select to rare, I said I'd pass...because sometimes the editors hide.
