Google offers free PC upgrade for a billion Windows users

More than 500 million people are still using Windows 10. Many of them are now either functioning without support or relying on temporary security updates issued after official support ended. The total number of affected users across the wider Windows ecosystem could be close to a billion. Google is now offering free alternatives that could prevent security disasters.

Microsoft might be facing a bigger security challenge than previously expected. Estimates suggest that one billion users could fall victim to cyberattacks and other digital threats. On the one hand, around half of these devices cannot be upgraded because of stricter hardware requirements to run the system, such as Windows 11.

On the other hand, the other half of users can do it but don’t.

These figures put Microsoft in a tough position, as the company is trying to move users from Windows 10 after its support ends in October 2025. 

Unless more users switch to newer software, such as Google’s Chrome OS Flex or Windows 11, the coming months may mark the start of a transition period, which could lead to greater exposure to cyberthreats.

Google has now begun heavily promoting not only the two software products but also other solutions.

• USB installation key: It’s exactly how it sounds – a small USB stick. Users can stick it to their laptop or PC and follow a guide that teaches them how to replace Windows 10 with ChromeOS Flex. It costs about $4.

• Call for nature preservation: Google has been more vocal about the environmental benefits of extending the life of devices that users already own, rather than buying new ones once their security guarantees expire. Previous reports have raised concerns about a potential increase in electronic waste and emissions that stem from manufacturing new gadgets.

• Automatic upgrades and updates: Microsoft continues to release automatic upgrades and system updates for devices that are technically eligible for Windows 11.

For business clients, Microsoft is offering paid Extended Security Updates that allow clients to keep receiving critical security patches for a limited period after Windows 10’s support ends, ensuring a safe transition over a longer period if needed. 

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