Windows 11: The Great IT Refresh or Unnecessary Waste?

Windows 11: The Great IT Refresh or Unnecessary Waste?

The push for Windows 11 has reignited a long-standing issue in the IT industry: planned obsolescence. Microsoft’s strict hardware requirements—especially the need for TPM 2.0 and newer processors—mean that many perfectly functional devices are now deemed unfit to run the latest OS. The result? A wave of unnecessary upgrades, increased e-waste, and higher Scope 3 emissions for businesses that pride themselves on sustainability.

The Hidden Cost of the Windows 11 Mandate

For IT decision-makers, the requirement to replace hardware solely for Windows 11 compatibility presents significant challenges:

Artificial End-of-Life: Many existing systems that function well are being forced out of service due to software constraints rather than actual hardware failure.

Increased E-Waste: Companies replacing entire fleets of desktops and laptops contribute to the growing global e-waste crisis.
Scope 3 Emissions Impact: Manufacturing new hardware has a far greater carbon footprint than any potential energy savings from marginal efficiency gains in newer devices.

Security Pressures: Organizations may feel pressured to upgrade out of fear that older systems will be insecure, even though security updates for Windows 10 continue until 2025.

The Circular Economy Response

Forward-thinking companies can push back against this forced obsolescence and adopt more sustainable IT strategies:

Extending Hardware Lifespan: Many enterprise-grade devices can still run efficiently with minor upgrades, such as additional RAM or SSD replacements.

Alternative Operating Systems: Linux-based distributions, such as Ubuntu or Chrome OS Flex, can breathe new life into otherwise ‘unsupported’ hardware.

Virtualization & Cloud Solutions: Instead of buying new endpoints, companies can explore virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) or hybrid cloud models.

Third-Party Security & Patch Management: External vendors can provide security updates and extended support for legacy systems, reducing the urgency of a Windows 11 upgrade.

Rethinking IT Procurement

Rather than automatically defaulting to new purchases, organizations should evaluate:

Do we actually need new hardware, or is this an unnecessary spend?
Can we upgrade existing assets to extend their life?
What’s the true environmental impact of this refresh cycle?
A Call to Action for CIOs and IT Managers
Before rolling out a company-wide refresh, businesses should consider the broader implications—both financial and environmental. Buying pre-owned hardware, leveraging third-party maintenance, and delaying unnecessary refresh cycles are all ways to avoid falling into the trap of manufacturer-driven obsolescence.

At Recirc IT, we believe that new isn’t always better. By rethinking refresh cycles and adopting circular economy principles, businesses can cut costs, reduce waste, and lower their carbon footprint—without compromising on performance or security.

Our offering is very simple. We will take away your old laptops and bring them up to compute power to deal with the upgrade instead of buying new.

Laptops account for one of the largest contributors to e-waste globally. 

Its time to take a different approach to tackling these OEM problems and force them to start to think about more sustainable approaches. 

Are you being pressured to upgrade? Let’s talk about more sustainable alternatives before you commit to unnecessary spending.