In brief
- Windows 10 stops receiving free updates on 14 October 2025.
- Paying for extended updates or having to buy new hardware is seen by many as a “Microsoft tax”.
- Organisations have launched a mobilisation to demand free updates and avoid huge hardware waste.
- In Quebec and Canada, Linux is a credible alternative for most SMEs if the transition is properly supported.
Why it’s a problem
- Recurring costs to stay secure on Windows 10 or the need to buy Windows 11‑compatible PCs.
- Risk of electronic waste and carbon footprint if we replace machines that are still functional.
- Strategic dependence on a single vendor.
Linux for SMEs
- Zero licence fees and free updates.
- Gives a second life to older computers.
- Covers office work, the web, email and many common business applications.
- Possible to keep one or two critical Windows applications via virtualisation or a web solution while waiting for an alternative.
The decisive factor
- Training and support make all the difference. Without guidance and assistance, teams can become demotivated. With proper support, adoption becomes a success.
Quick action plan for an SME
- Audit your usage and identify the truly essential applications.
- Pilot the migration on 5 to 10 volunteer PCs.
- Train users on key equivalents (LibreOffice, browser, email).
- Provide on-site support for the first few weeks.
- Expand gradually, keeping workarounds for the rare Windows apps.
Local resources
- Quebec: free‑software organisations and companies, community help, practical guides for installing Linux and extending PC life.
- Combined benefits: savings, longer hardware life, digital sovereignty, reduced environmental footprint.
The situation in brief
The Windows 10 operating system reaches the end of its life cycle on 14 October 2025, when Microsoft will stop providing security updates. Users will have to choose between paying for extended support or upgrading to Windows 11.
From the user’s perspective, the end of support for Windows 10 looks like programmed obsolescence. PCs that still run well will become “unsupported”, forcing upgrades or replacement.
“No to the Windows tax”: the mobilisation against forced obsolescence
Illustration – Visual from the “No to the Windows tax” campaign launched in September 2025. An international coalition of 22 organisations (consumer associations, environmental NGOs, free‑software groups) has launched a petition.
Facing this situation, a real protest movement took shape in autumn 2025. On 16 September 2025, a coalition of 22 organisations launched a petition calling on Microsoft to offer free security updates for Windows 10 beyond 2025.
The arguments in this petition touch both users’ wallets, social justice and ecology. Financially, the end of free support is seen as a forced subscription. Ecologically, it would lead to premature scrapping of millions of devices. Socially, vulnerable people would be hit hardest.
At the same time, the “No to the Windows tax” movement highlights the environmental waste that would result from prematurely scrapping millions of devices. Replacing functioning machines would increase e‑waste and emissions.
Finally, the coalition doesn’t just criticise: it makes concrete demands and suggests possible solutions. Beyond maintaining updates, it calls for the right to repair, opening up the Windows bootloader to other systems, and support for free software.
It is worth noting that consumer pressure has already had some effect in the past. Faced with general concerns, Microsoft has extended support for certain versions and improved its upgrade proposals. The current mobilisation aims to repeat this success.
A similar issue in Quebec and Canada
While the revolt against the Microsoft tax has gained momentum in Europe, Canada and Quebec are facing the same challenge. Here too, many computers still run Windows 10, and there is concern about the cost of replacement.
It can be inferred that a significant proportion of the North American computer fleet still runs Windows 10. In Canada, many SMEs depend on software that only runs on Windows 10, so the upgrade is not trivial.
Insertech, a social enterprise specialising in refurbishing computers, sounded the alarm as early as 2022 about the “waste scandal”. The company fears a wave of unnecessary scrapping if Windows 10 updates are no longer available.
Although no national petition seems to have been launched in Canada, the advice to users and SMEs is similar: plan the transition, favour Linux or prolong the life of machines, and demand fair support from suppliers.
Finally, Quebec benefits from an active associative network in favour of free software. The Quebec Association of Free Software (AQLL) promotes alternatives and supports organisations in their migration projects.
Linux: a viable alternative for SMEs
For many small and medium-sized enterprises, the best way to escape the Microsoft tax is to embrace Linux. Linux is now mature, stable and supported by a vibrant ecosystem.
On desktops and laptops, Linux was long seen as a system for enthusiasts only, but that’s no longer the case. Distributions like Ubuntu and Linux Mint have intuitive interfaces and app stores. With training, users can adapt quickly.
Adopting Linux offers several concrete advantages for SMEs. First, cost: the system is free and there are no licence or renewal fees, lowering the total cost of ownership.
Next, hardware durability: Linux is generally less demanding than the latest versions of Windows. A 5‑ to 8‑year‑old laptop runs smoothly on Linux, whereas it would be sluggish under Windows 11. This extends hardware life and reduces waste.
In terms of features and daily tasks, Linux now covers most of an SME’s needs. For office tasks, suites like LibreOffice or OnlyOffice are effective. Specialised software is increasingly available natively or via the web; otherwise, a virtual machine or compatibility layer (Wine) can be used temporarily.
Another advantage, less tangible but important, is control of your infrastructure. By freeing yourself from Windows’ forced update cycles, you decide when to upgrade, reduce unplanned downtime and keep costs predictable.
Of course, migration requires reflection and preparation. But more and more resources are available: training, community support and specialists who accompany transitions to Linux.
Training and support: the key to a successful transition
If the scenario of an SME switching to Linux looks promising on paper, its success largely depends on the human aspect. Changing tools, interface and habits can be destabilising.
That’s why training and support are absolutely essential to avoid losing teams along the way. As trainers say: people don’t resist change, they resist being changed without understanding why.
In practice, before and during migration, it’s recommended to organise training sessions to present the new Linux environment, Windows program equivalents, and answer questions. Workshops and hands-on sessions let users familiarise themselves with new workflows.
Beyond initial training, continuous support is needed for the first weeks or months. Appoint “Linux ambassadors” in each department, provide documentation and maintain a direct line with IT support to resolve issues quickly.
Several structures offer services or advice to facilitate this kind of transition. As mentioned, the AQLL offers support for migrating to free software, as do local service providers in Quebec and Canada. Online resources, forums and training videos are also valuable.
Ignoring training would be a major strategic error. As an observer remarked, many IT trainings have long underestimated the human factor, but it is key to smooth adoption.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the scheduled end of Windows 10 has sparked a broad questioning of dependence on Microsoft solutions. From petition campaigns to local initiatives, the debate is about more than software: it’s about hardware, sustainability and choice.
Of course, a migration to Linux must be carried out seriously, with people at the heart of the process. But the potential benefits are worth it: cost control, durability, sovereignty and respect for the environment.
Sources: Windows 10 EOL and “No to the Windows tax” coalition; Vert article (2025) – additional sources available.