Microsoft Faces Lawsuit Over Windows 10 Support

Microsoft's stock fell 0.38% alongside a lawsuit against the company over its plan to end support for Windows 10 in October. The lawsuit argues that Microsoft should continue to support Windows 10 until its user base drops below 10%. Analysts' consensus rating for Microsoft is Strong Buy with an average price target of $623.34.

Microsoft's stock fell 0.38% following a lawsuit against the company over its plan to end support for Windows 10 in October. The lawsuit, filed by a California resident named Lawrence Klein, argues that Microsoft should continue to support Windows 10 until its user base drops below 10%. The lawsuit alleges that Microsoft's decision to discontinue support for Windows 10 is part of a broader strategy to dominate the emerging artificial intelligence (AI) market by forcing users to upgrade to Windows 11, which is optimized for AI-powered services like Copilot.

Klein owns two laptops that cannot be upgraded to Windows 11 and contends that Microsoft's decision will render millions of devices obsolete. He argues that this move poses significant cybersecurity risks for businesses and consumers still relying on Windows 10. The lawsuit also notes that Microsoft is well aware of the heightened risk of cyberattacks and data security incidents that users will face once Windows 10 support ends.

According to Statcounter data from July, 53.39% of worldwide desktop users are on Windows 11, while 43% still use Windows 10 [3]. The lawsuit seeks a court order that would require Microsoft to continue providing free support for Windows 10 until its market share falls below 10%. Currently, Windows 10 holds approximately 43% of the Windows operating system market share [2].

The lawsuit has broader implications for the tech industry and consumers. It raises questions about the responsibilities of big tech companies in managing software transitions and their impact on customers. If the lawsuit succeeds, it could set a precedent for how companies handle software support and lifecycle management.

Microsoft's original plan for users with ineligible hardware includes using Windows Backup, paying for extended security updates, upgrading to Windows 11, or switching to an alternative operating system like Linux [2]. However, Klein argues that Microsoft should have offered these options for free and that it should remain an option until Windows 10 becomes less popular.

The outcome of this lawsuit could have far-reaching implications for the tech industry and consumers. As the case proceeds through the legal system, millions of Windows 10 users on ineligible hardware must decide their next steps before the October 2025 deadline.

References:
[1] https://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-sued-for-ending-windows-10-support-and-knowingly-jeopardizing-your-data/
[2] https://theoutpost.ai/news-story/microsoft-faces-lawsuit-over-windows-10-end-of-support-accused-of-monopolizing-ai-market-18926/
[3] https://www.pcmag.com/news/microsoft-sued-for-killing-windows-10-lawsuit-says-its-forcing-ai-upgrades