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Will Microsoft make Windows 10 self-destruct?
I was exploring some obscure tech forums recently where you can read some highly speculative theories about what companies are secretly planning to do.
Many of them have turned out to be true in the past, such as firms backtracking on “promises” not to charge for certain features, or scrapping support for a product after previously vowing it would be covered for a lifetime. It’s made me incredibly suspicious of the motives of companies like Netflix, Amazon, Apple, Google and Microsoft.
Talking of the latter, one theory flying around the internet is that Windows 10 has a built-in self-destruct option – called a ‘kill switch’ – that Microsoft can activate in an instant to stop people using it. Those who believe this claim Microsoft will use this option soon when they realise not enough people have upgraded to Windows 11. I don’t believe a word Microsoft says, but this feels too cynical – even for them! Surely it can’t be true?
Gary Parsons
CA SAYS Gary’s instinct is correct – Microsoft hasn’t built a kill switch into Windows 10. Tech companies have backtracked on countless promises and played dirty tricks that have dented public trust, but Microsoft wouldn’t get away with turning off Windows 10 at the touch of a button. Technically it’s just about possible, but it would cause massive chaos and lead to explosive legal action. The company’s reputation would never recover.
Of course, some people regard the end of support on 14 October as a less drastic type of kill switch. Microsoft wants you to upgrade to Windows 11, but there are plenty of other options. We’ll explain them all in our special ‘Windows 10 Survival Guide’ issue – out on 10 September.