Microsoft faces lawsuit over Windows 10’s end of support

2025-08-11 10:23:00
www.pcworld.com

We’re now two months from the planned end of support date for Windows 10, and it seems tempers are running high as tensions continue to build. A man from Southern California filed a lawsuit against Microsoft last week, according to one news report.

The reason for the lawsuit? Not enough people are currently using Windows 11, therefore it isn’t right to end support for Windows 10 at this time. Furthermore, by forcing users to give up Windows 10, Microsoft is strong-arming customers into buying new devices and attempting to “monopolize the generative AI market.”

The plaintiff, Lawrence Klein, owns two Windows 10 laptops and is personally affected by end of support for the operating system. He isn’t demanding compensation, but only wants Microsoft to continue supporting Windows 10 free of charge until less than 10 percent of all Windows users are still using the operating system.

As of this writing, the number of Windows 10 users as a share of all Windows PCs is sitting somewhere around 43 percent, according to Statcounter. Windows 11’s market share nearly caught up in July, then finally overtook Windows 10 for the first time in August—but there’s still a long way to go before Windows 10’s market share drops to 10 percent.

Millions of PCs to be rendered unusable

In his complaint, Klein criticizes the fact that Windows 10’s end of support will result in millions of devices suddenly becoming electronic waste simply because they don’t meet Microsoft’s requirements. Consumer advocates have been fighting back on this for some time, as unnecessarily buying new devices is a burden on the environment.

In addition, Microsoft’s decision to no longer provide Windows 10 with security updates jeopardizes the data security of its customers. Without the updates, they risk falling victim to cyberattacks. This also applies to companies that store sensitive data:

“In other words, Microsoft’s long-term business strategy to secure market dominance will have the effect of jeopardizing data security not only of Microsoft’s customers but also of persons who may not use Microsoft’s products at all.”

Does the lawsuit hold water?

It’s currently hard to judge whether the lawsuit will be successful. Klein is merely calling for Windows 10’s end of support to be postponed so that users have more time to prepare for a switch.

Meanwhile, Microsoft has already announced that Windows 10 users will receive an extra year of free support if they either use Windows Backup to sync Windows settings to OneDrive, spend 1,000 Microsoft Reward points, or pay $30 for Extended Security Updates (ESU). That latter option now nets you 10 licenses and isn’t limited to just one machine.

Microsoft has not yet issued a statement on the lawsuit. However, it seems unlikely that it will be successful in court.

This article originally appeared on our sister publication PC-WELT and was translated and localized from German.

Source Link

An Amazon’s Choice and the #1 Top Seller, the Euphro Digital Picture Frame has delighted millions of customers. With 1,473 ratings, an impressive 4.7 out of 5 stars, and over 6,000 units sold in the past month, this frame is a must-have for your home or as the perfect gift. Available now for just $79.99.

Connect Euphro digital picture frame to a WiFi network and share photos and videos via the free “Uhale” app. Share the special life moments instantly and privately, creating a seamless connection with your family and friends. The sleek design fits any home decor and comes with crystal-clear image quality to highlight every cherished moment.

Join the millions of happy customers who call Euphro “a game-changer for photo sharing.” Order yours now for $79.99 on Amazon!

Unlock unlimited streaming with a free Amazon Prime trial!
Sign up today!

Help Power Techcratic’s Future – Scan To Support

If Techcratic’s content and insights have helped you, consider giving back by supporting the platform with crypto. Every contribution makes a difference, whether it’s for high-quality content, server maintenance, or future updates. Techcratic is constantly evolving, and your support helps drive that progress.

As a solo operator who wears all the hats, creating content, managing the tech, and running the site, your support allows me to stay focused on delivering valuable resources. Your support keeps everything running smoothly and enables me to continue creating the content you love. I’m deeply grateful for your support, it truly means the world to me! Thank you!

BITCOIN

Bitcoin Logo