A Security Paradox: Microsoft Warns Millions Not to Fix Their Vulnerable PCs

In a bizarre and concerning turn of events, Microsoft is advising millions of Windows users not to update their PCs, even as a new report highlights that up to 400 million computers are vulnerable to cyberattacks. This strange directive comes just as the company is pushing users to upgrade to Windows 11 for better security.

According to a report by Consumer Reports, Microsoft is being criticized for its contradictory stance. On one hand, the company claims that upgrading to Windows 11 is crucial for cybersecurity, but on the other, it's preventing hundreds of millions of users from doing so because their PCs don't meet the system requirements. For those who can't upgrade, Microsoft is now offering an extended security program, but it comes at a cost—a $30 fee for just one additional year of security updates.

For users who have managed to install Windows 11 on an unsupported device, Microsoft's message is clear: roll back to Windows 10 immediately. This leaves an estimated 200 million to 400 million PCs worldwide in a precarious position, labeled as “stranded Windows 10 machines” that are susceptible to viruses and malware.

As the October 14 deadline for the official retirement of Windows 10 looms, the pressure is on. Microsoft is rolling out a new button that will direct users to either a paid security extension or a trade-in program for their old PC. This trade-in program, however, is not available everywhere. If the trade-in option is not approved or if the program doesn't exist in a user's country, they are instructed to find a local recycling service to "dump" their old Windows 10 machine.

With less than a month to go, it seems highly unlikely that Microsoft will reverse its position and extend free security support to all Windows 10 users. The company is betting that users will either pay for the extended security updates or replace their devices. With over 600 million users still on Windows 10, this situation presents a significant and rapidly approaching security threat for a massive portion of the PC user base.