(The number of computers was corrected in the 2nd set of the 3rd paragraph)
Berlin (dpa -AFX) – Millions of personal computers in Germany urgently need an update. On October 14th, Microsoft will retire the most popular PC operating system in the world – Windows 10. This means that there will no longer be free updates for Windows 10 with which newly discovered weaknesses are ironed out. With the end of support, users then risk the victim of undiscovered and non-resolved security gaps if they do not do anything beforehand.
Almost 26 million computers in Germany are in danger
Although the software giant announced the end of the support for Windows 10 over four years ago, most PCs still run on the potentially insecure operating system in Germany.
According to calculations by the security company ESET, 24.7 million PCs are still equipped with outdated Windows 10 in private households, companies, authorities and organizations in Germany. This corresponds to almost 57 percent of all Windows computers.
In addition, there are just over a million computer with the ancient operating systems Windows 7, Windows 88.1 and Windows XP that have been unsure for years. Windows 11 have already installed 17.9 million PCs, eight percent more than in November 2024.
The German branch of Eset in Jena is based on the calculations on its own telemetry data. In addition, the results were compared with the statistics service “Statcounter”.
“Cybercriminals are already ready”
Alexander Opel, IT security expert at Eset, warns of the possible consequences: “Anyone who is still traveling with an outdated operating system is playing Russian roulette with their data!”. Millions of private users, but also many IT managers in companies and authorities, understood the warning and protected their computers in good time. “Everyone else has to act before it is too late. Cybercriminals are already ready to take advantage of weaknesses as soon as the support ends.”
When switching to Windows 11, the purchase of a new PC is often required because Microsoft has comparatively highly set the hardware requirements for the new operating system. Windows 11 requires a special security chip, a so -called Trusted Platform Module (TPM), which is not available in many older computers.
BSI: Mac and Linux are alternatives
Against this background, the Federal Office for Information Technology (BSI) not only recommends a timely upgrade to Windows 11. Alternatively, switching to another operating system such as MacOS for the Macintosh computers from Apple or the Free Linux system is possible.
The end of support would actually have to give the PC manufacturers a special economy. According to a forecast by the market research company Gartner, this is not the case. Increased economic and geopolitical risks have led to an “uncertainty break” when purchasing new PCs, said Ranjit Atwal, Senior Director Analyst at Gartner.
In view of the full warehouses, ATWAL expects the PC manufacturers for the second half of the year with emergency sales. “The providers try to reduce their excess stocks, also because new tariffs and persistent uncertainties will continue to dampen the market activity.”
Buy time
Upgrade refusers have another alternative that Microsoft can be paid well: The group offers private users and commercial users for another year so-called extended security updates (ESU) for $ 30 (around 27 euros). This is a novelty: So far, support extensions for Windows have always been only available for companies.
IT security expert Opel from Eset does not think that is a good idea: the extended support only shift the change to the near future. “It is also high time for companies to be upgraded.” Because the cost of support should exceed the benefits for many organizations. “At the same time, it is irresponsible to operate your own company with outdated systems. This opens hackers a flank for successful cyber attacks.”/CHD/DP/NAS
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