A Californian individual has decided to take legal action against Microsoft due to their compulsory Windows 11 update.
Microsoft's decision to retire Windows 10 and the subsequent requirements for extended security updates (ESU) have sparked controversy, with a lawsuit filed by California resident Lawrence Klein alleging violations of California's business, advertising, and consumer legal relief regulations.
Klein, who owns two Windows 10 laptops that cannot be updated to Windows 11 due to a lack of Trusted Platform Module 2.0 (TPM), argues that Microsoft's practices are forcing users to link a Microsoft account to receive ESU, infringing on user privacy rights and consumer protection laws under California regulations.
After Windows 10's retirement on October 14, 2025, users who want to keep their devices secure by enrolling in the ESU program must use a Microsoft account. Local (offline) accounts are no longer permitted for this extended security support, even if users pay $30 for up to 10 devices. This forceful linkage could be seen as a violation because it removes user choice and privacy, which are protected values under California’s Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).
Klein's lawyers also point to concerns over transparency and consent. Requiring account linkage to receive security patches represents a shift in terms that users may not have explicitly consented to when purchasing Windows 10. If Microsoft did not clearly disclose this requirement or obtained insufficient consent, it could violate California’s regulations on fair consumer practices.
The potential exploitation of users’ dependence on security updates is another ethical and legal concern. Users still running Windows 10 may be effectively coerced into providing personal information due to the critical nature of security updates.
The lawsuit contends that the transition to Windows 11 has been forced, artificial, and unfriendly to users, and that the new interface of Windows 11 is not appealing to consumers. The complaint also argues that the number of active users of Windows 10 is far greater than in prior phaseouts, making the retirement premature.
As of July, Windows 11 has overtaken Windows 10 in market share, but nearly 43% of users are still on Windows 10. Microsoft and the OEM manufacturers of AI PCs and other Windows 11 devices have a strong incentive to make 2025 the year of the Windows 11 refresh.
Klein wants the court to force Microsoft to offer free support for Windows 10 until the number of devices running the OS falls below 10% of total Windows users. Alternatively, Klein's lawyers want the court to force Microsoft to loosen hardware restrictions.
This lawsuit highlights the ongoing debate around user privacy, consent, and the role of tech giants in shaping the digital landscape. As Microsoft continues to evolve its offerings, it remains to be seen how these issues will be addressed and resolved.
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