Microsoft Sued for Ending Windows 10 Support: Lawsuit Raises Questions About Consumer Rights and E-Waste.

A California man, Lawrence Klein, has sued Microsoft over its plan to end support for Windows 10 in October 2025, citing high user numbers and potential e-waste. The lawsuit demands free updates until adoption rates drop significantly, arguing that current policies unfairly force costly upgrades. Microsoft has already offered a free year of extended support for users syncing certain settings to OneDrive, but the lawsuit suggests linking end of support to adoption rates instead of set deadlines.

A California resident, Lawrence Klein, has filed a lawsuit against Microsoft, challenging the tech giant's plan to discontinue support for Windows 10 by October 2025. The lawsuit argues that ending support too soon will force users to upgrade to Windows 11, which has stringent hardware requirements, potentially leading to e-waste.

Klein's lawsuit contends that Microsoft's decision is unfair to consumers and businesses, as Windows 10 still has a significant user base. According to recent market share data, Windows 10 accounts for approximately 43% of all Windows users, a figure much higher than that of earlier OS versions at a similar stage [1]. The lawsuit demands that Microsoft provide free updates until adoption rates for Windows 11 drop significantly, rather than adhering to a fixed deadline.

A key issue in the lawsuit is Microsoft's hardware requirements for Windows 11. Klein argues that the high standards, such as the need for TPM 2.0 security chips and modern CPUs, make it impossible for many devices to upgrade. This could result in millions of still-functioning PCs being discarded, contributing to a substantial e-waste problem [1].

Microsoft has already offered a free year of extended support for users who sync certain settings to OneDrive, but Klein contends that this is not enough. He suggests linking the end of support to adoption rates instead of a set deadline, which could make the transition smoother and reduce unnecessary upgrades [1].

The lawsuit also raises broader questions about corporate responsibility and sustainable tech policies. It highlights the need for clearer disclosures to consumers about the longevity of software at the point of purchase, a practice that is becoming more common in the industry [2].

While the lawsuit is still in its early stages, it has sparked a broader conversation about the balance between technological innovation and consumer rights. If Microsoft changes its stance, it could set a precedent for how tech companies handle OS transitions in the future.

References:
[1] https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/us/microsoft-sued-for-killing-windows-10-could-this-lawsuit-force-a-shocking-u-turn/articleshow/123323392.cms
[2] https://www.pcmag.com/news/microsoft-sued-for-killing-windows-10-lawsuit-says-its-forcing-ai-upgrades