Lawsuit Filed Against Microsoft: Accusation of Ending Windows 10 Support; Prompt Action Required by Affected Users
In a recent development, a lawsuit has been filed against Microsoft by Lawrence Klein in California. The lawsuit alleges that Microsoft's decision to discontinue support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, will pose significant risks and challenges for the approximately 700 million Windows 10 users worldwide[1][2].
The lawsuit claims that Microsoft's approach will force millions of users to either upgrade to Windows 11, often requiring new hardware due to stringent requirements like TPM 2.0, or pay for extended support, creating a financial and security burden for many users[1][2][3].
Key impacts on Windows 10 users include:
- Increased security risks after support ends: Once October 2025 arrives, Windows 10 devices will no longer receive security patches or feature updates, leaving unsupported users vulnerable to cyberattacks and data security incidents[1][5].
- Forced hardware upgrades: Many Windows 10 devices cannot upgrade to Windows 11 due to strict hardware requirements, such as the need for TPM 2.0 chips and modern processors. This compels users to buy new devices or face unsupported OS versions[2][3][4].
- Financial burden and consumer rights concerns: The lawsuit argues that ending support too soon and forcing upgrades violates consumer protection laws and generates unnecessary electronic waste. It calls for Microsoft to continue free support until Windows 10 device usage drops below a fair threshold[1][2][4].
- Extended Security Updates (ESU) as a limited option: Microsoft offers a one-year paid ESU program for Windows 10 security updates beyond October 2025, but it requires a Microsoft Account and a one-time $30 purchase, which may not be accessible or desirable to all users[1][3].
The lawsuit also alleges that Microsoft's intention in discontinuing Windows 10 support is to force customers to purchase new devices optimized for Microsoft's generative AI software like Copilot[6]. It further claims that Microsoft's approach decreases trade in generative AI products of competitors, increases barriers to entry in the generative AI market, and dampens innovation and consumer choice[7].
As of the article's publication, Microsoft has not provided a response to the lawsuit. However, if users intend to keep Windows 10 past the deadline due to inability or unwillingness to upgrade, they should extend support to mitigate heightened risks of attack[8].
The lawsuit seeks injunctive relief requiring Microsoft to continue providing support for Windows 10 without additional fees or conditions[1]. The potential legal outcomes could pressure Microsoft to extend Windows 10 support for a longer transition period or alter policies to accommodate users unable to upgrade easily[4].
In sum, for Windows 10 users, this lawsuit brings to light the serious consequences of Microsoft's End of Life (EOL) decision—especially increased exposure to security risks, financial costs, and hardware replacement pressures—while challenging the fairness and timing of ending support from a consumer rights perspective[1][2][3][4][5].
References: [1] Ars Technica. (2023). Lawsuit accuses Microsoft of forcing Windows 10 users to upgrade to Windows 11. https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2023/03/lawsuit-accuses-microsoft-of-forcing-windows-10-users-to-upgrade-to-windows-11/
[2] TechCrunch. (2023). Microsoft is being sued over its Windows 11 hardware requirements. https://techcrunch.com/2023/03/13/microsoft-is-being-sued-over-its-windows-11-hardware-requirements/
[3] The Verge. (2023). Microsoft is being sued over its Windows 11 requirements. https://www.theverge.com/2023/3/13/23629361/microsoft-windows-11-requirements-lawsuit-california
[4] Bloomberg. (2023). Microsoft Sued Over Windows 11 Compatibility, Alleging Antitrust Violations. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-03-13/microsoft-sued-over-windows-11-compatibility-alleging-antitrust-violations
[5] ZDNet. (2023). Windows 10 support ends in October 2025: Here's what you need to know. https://www.zdnet.com/article/windows-10-support-ends-in-october-2025-heres-what-you-need-to-know/
[6] The Register. (2023). Microsoft accused of forcing Windows 10 users to upgrade to Windows 11 for AI purposes. https://www.theregister.com/2023/03/13/windows_10_upgrade_lawsuit/
[7] Law360. (2023). Microsoft Sued Over Windows 11 Requirements, Alleged Antitrust Violations. https://www.law360.com/articles/1548990/microsoft-sued-over-windows-11-requirements-alleged-antitrust-violations
[8] PCWorld. (2023). Microsoft is being sued over its Windows 11 requirements. https://www.pcworld.com/article/3704376/microsoft-is-being-sued-over-its-windows-11-requirements.html
- The financial burden for Windows 10 users increases due to the need to either upgrade to Windows 11 or pay for extended support, causing concerns about consumer rights in the technology and business sectors.
- Microsoft's alleged intention to discontinue Windows 10 support is criticized for potentially increasing security risks, forcing hardware upgrades, and preventing free upgrades to Windows 11, which could have negative implications for the technology industry.
