In a notable legal challenge against Microsoft, a California resident, Lawrence Klein, has taken a stand regarding the company’s plans to retire Windows 10. Klein, who owns two laptops that are incompatible with Windows 11 due to the absence of a Trusted Platform Module 2.0 (TPM), is seeking continued free updates for Windows 10 until its user base diminishes significantly. His lawsuit highlights a growing dissatisfaction among users facing forced upgrades.
Klein’s complaint argues that Microsoft has violated California’s business and consumer protection laws by compelling unnecessary upgrades while neglecting security updates for those who choose to remain on Windows 10. With support for the operating system set to conclude on October 14, Klein’s legal team contends that millions of users may not be ready to transition to new devices or pay for extended support.
Interestingly, users are not entirely left without options. Microsoft currently offers a paid extended support plan for Windows 10, priced at for the first year. Users can also receive this year free by utilizing Microsoft Rewards points or syncing their data with a Microsoft account. However, Klein is advocating for a more user-friendly solution, requesting the court to mandate free support for Windows 10 until the operating system’s market share falls below 10% of total Windows users. Alternatively, he seeks to challenge the hardware restrictions imposed by Microsoft.
A rushed phaseout
The lawsuit further critiques the timeline of Windows 10’s phaseout, suggesting that it is unusually swift compared to previous operating system transitions. Historically, Microsoft has provided support for eight years following the release of a successor OS. For instance, Windows XP continued to receive support for seven years after Vista’s launch. Given that Windows 11 has only been available for four years, Klein’s team argues that Windows 10 should have an additional four years of support under the same guidelines.
At the time of the phaseout announcement, Windows 10 still commanded over 50% of the market share. Although Windows 11 has recently surpassed Windows 10, claiming 53.5% of installations, nearly 43% of users remain on the older operating system. This statistic stands in stark contrast to previous transitions, where user numbers had significantly dwindled by the time support was discontinued.
Klein’s legal argument posits that the transition to Windows 11 has been artificially accelerated, potentially benefiting Microsoft and its hardware partners financially. The complaint notes that many users find Windows 11 lacking in compelling features to justify an upgrade, which poses a challenge for Microsoft, particularly in its efforts to establish a foothold in the competitive AI landscape.
By encouraging users to upgrade to fully compatible PCs, Microsoft may gain a strategic advantage over rival AI firms. The integration of Copilot into Windows 11 positions it as a default AI assistant, contrasting with other companies that rely on web-based or app-based solutions requiring user opt-in. This dynamic suggests a strong incentive for Microsoft and its OEM partners to motivate Windows 10 users to transition, aiming for 2025 as a pivotal year for the Windows 11 ecosystem.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the implications of this case may resonate beyond the courtroom, reflecting broader concerns about consumer rights and corporate practices in the technology sector.
