A citizen of California filed a lawsuit against Microsoft, accusing the tech giant of discontinuing Windows 10 in a ploy to corner the market for generative AI.
Microsoft is locked in a legal battle over the discontinuation of support for Windows 10, with a case filed by Southern California resident Lawrence Klein in the San Diego Superior Court. The case, if successful, could potentially set a precedent for future software support obligations by major tech companies.
The sunset of Windows 10 by Microsoft is imminent, with only a couple of months remaining before the official end of support on October 14, 2025. This means no more security updates, bug fixes, or official technical support for Windows 10 on most editions. For users unable to upgrade to Windows 11, the main options include continuing to use Windows 10 without support, enrolling in Microsoft's Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, or planning hardware and OS upgrades.
Klein, who owns two Windows 10 laptops that will become obsolete come October, is requesting that Microsoft be compelled to support Windows 10 at no additional cost until its market share falls below 10% of all Windows users. However, it is expected that the outcome of Klein's case against Microsoft will not be determined before the sunset of Windows 10.
Microsoft is likely to contest this case, potentially escalating it to the Supreme Court. The company's legal team is expected to employ its resources extensively in an attempt to contest the case. If the court agrees with Klein, this will incur additional fees for Microsoft and may delay the adoption of Windows 11.
It's worth noting that TPM 2.0 is a non-negotiable requirement for all future Windows versions, and devices without it are not eligible for upgrade. This requirement, among others, highlights the challenges faced by users who are unable or unwilling to upgrade their devices.
The case underscores the potential impact of legal challenges on the timeline and strategy of major tech companies' product releases. Microsoft is discontinuing support for Windows 10 to push customers to purchase new devices optimized for its generative artificial intelligence software.
For users considering the ESU program to maintain security temporarily, it's important to note that a one-time $30 purchase extends support for Windows 10 by one year, but it requires a Microsoft Account.
In summary, users unable to upgrade should consider the ESU program to maintain security temporarily or plan hardware and OS upgrades. No legal remedies are presently available due to Microsoft’s disclosed product lifecycle policies. The adoption of Windows 11 may be delayed if the court agrees with Klein's request, potentially incurring additional fees for Microsoft.
[1] Microsoft (2023). Windows 10 End of Support FAQ. Retrieved from https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wsl/wsl-faq#windows-10 [2] TechRadar (2023). What happens when Windows 10 reaches end of life in October 2025? Retrieved from https://www.techradar.com/uk/news/what-happens-when-windows-10-reaches-end-of-life-in-october-2025 [3] ZDNet (2023). Windows 10 end of life: What you need to know. Retrieved from https://www.zdnet.com/article/what-happens-when-windows-10-reaches-end-of-life/ [4] CNET (2023). What happens when Windows 10 support ends in October 2025? Retrieved from https://www.cnet.com/tech/computing/what-happens-when-windows-10-support-ends-in-october-2025/ [5] Microsoft (2023). Extended Security Updates (ESU) for Windows 10. Retrieved from https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/wdsi/esu/windows-10-esu-faq
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