The Free Software Foundation (FSF) is fresh off a successful International Day Against DRM (IDAD), held on December 20th, 2024. This year’s focus was on Microsoft’s controversial requirement of a hardware TPM module for Windows 11, a move the FSF argues is a “Microsoft-manufactured problem” that pushes users towards unnecessary upgrades and potential security risks.
The FSF called on individuals to use IDAD as an opportunity to promote the use of GNU/Linux and educate others about the importance of free software. “Seemingly small acts like these could start a journey towards freedom — in addition to saving yet another perfectly functioning computer from becoming e-waste,” the FSF urged in their post-IDAD announcement.
The Free Software Foundation (FSF) is taking a stand against what they see as Microsoft’s anti-consumer and environmentally damaging policies surrounding Windows 11. With Windows 10’s end-of-life looming in October 2025, hundreds of millions of PCs are facing a forced upgrade to Windows 11. However, Microsoft’s insistence on TPM 2.0 hardware is creating a barrier for many, potentially turning functional machines into e-waste.
In a move, the FSF is urging users to boycott GitHub, Microsoft’s popular code-hosting platform, to pressure the tech giant into dropping the TPM 2.0 requirement for Windows 11. Microsoft’s insistence on the Trusted Platform Module, seemingly a trivial requirement, has far-reaching consequences. Perfectly functional computers may end up as electronic waste, exacerbating environmental harm.
While acknowledging the lack of viable alternatives to GitHub for many developers and businesses, the FSF believes a mass exodus could send a powerful message to Microsoft. This boycott is part of a broader call to action, urging individuals to:
- Migrate to GNU/Linux: Escape the Microsoft ecosystem entirely by switching to a free and open-source operating system.
- Avoid Microsoft software: Reject proprietary software and the restrictions that come with it.
- Remove projects from GitHub: Take a stand against Microsoft’s control over critical development infrastructure.
However, the FSF acknowledges that such efforts may have limited impact. Challenging corporate giants like Microsoft has never been easy for grassroots organizations. Nonetheless, the foundation remains committed to taking a stand.
