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The Windows 10 Sunset: How Enterprise Refresh Cycles Will Reshape ITAD, Refurbishment, and Urban Mining (2026–2028)

The approaching end of Microsoft’s Windows 10 era will set in motion one of the most synchronized technology transitions the IT asset disposition (ITAD) and recycling sectors have ever witnessed. Between late 2026 and 2028, roughly 320 to 350 million laptops and desktops—equal to about 600,000 to 700,000 metric tons of material—will reach the end […] Continue reading below.
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The approaching end of Microsoft’s Windows 10 era will set in motion one of the most synchronized technology transitions the IT asset disposition (ITAD) and recycling sectors have ever witnessed. Between late 2026 and 2028, roughly 320 to 350 million laptops and desktops—equal to about 600,000 to 700,000 metric tons of material—will reach the end of their usable life. The scale is comparable to the global retirement of Windows XP systems two decades ago, but the economic and regulatory landscape could not be more different.

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Author: David Daoud | Principal Analyst

David Daoud has researched the mainstream IT hardware market since 1996 and expanded into hardware disposition research in 2003. He has spearheaded the creation of IDC’s GRADE certification. Since then, David has been providing consulting and expert advice to companies looking to establish best practice in their IT equipment decommissioning and helped leading ITAD service providers assess demand, understand competition, and forecast what’s to come. David is currently the Principal Analyst at Compliance Standards, which focuses entirely on the end-of-life of IT equipment. He can be reached at 508-981-6937 or at ddaoud@compliance-standards.com
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