Microsoft Faces Lawsuit Over Windows 10 End-of-Support, Accused of Forcing AI Upgrades

Microsoft Sued for Killing Windows 10, Lawsuit Says It's Forcing AI Upgrades

Some people really don't want to upgrade to Windows 11. A Windows 10 user is suing Microsoft over the upcoming end of official security updates for the operating system. Lawrence Klein, who owns two Windows 10 laptops that don't support Windows 11, says Microsoft is forcing customers to buy newer devices. The lawsuit notes that Microsoft is ending Windows 10 support despite a huge number of people still using the older OS. July stats from Statcounter show that 53.39% of worldwide desktop users are on Windows 11, but 43% still use Windows 10. Though Windows 11 launched in 2021, the newer OS only overtook Windows 10 last month. Klein says an estimated 240 million computers are unable to run the Windows 11 upgrade. He says Microsoft's move is designed to make people buy new hardware and embrace AI tech. The lawsuit reads, "Microsoft's decision to discontinue support for Windows 10 while most of its consumer base was still using it was part of the company's larger strategy to force its customers to purchase new devices optimized to run Microsoft's suite of generative artificial intelligence (AI) software such as Copilot, which comes bundled with Windows 11 by default." Microsoft recently opened its Extended Security Updates (ESU) program. It allows users to spend $30 to get an extra year of security-only updates, taking them to October 2026. If a customer doesn't want to pay, they can opt to sync their Windows Backup directly to OneDrive and get access for a year, or they can spend Microsoft Reward program points to purchase a year of updates. Klein says Microsoft should have offered this to its customers for free, and says it should remain an option until Windows 10 becomes less popular. "Neither Microsoft nor its original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) disclosed to customers the potential additional costs or the consequences of Microsoft's decision to end support for all operating system versions compatible with the device," the lawsuit says. Klein also wants Microsoft to stop this practice for future versions of its Windows software. He says Microsoft should provide "clear disclosures to consumers purchasing a Windows OS license" on how long the software is set to last at the point of purchase. There isn't much precedent for this, but the situation is slowly changing. In recent years, many Android manufacturers have started telling customers how many years of software updates they'll see at a minimum. It's early days for Klein's lawsuit, but it may have interesting repercussions for Windows 10 customers. Right now, if you have a Windows 10 device, continue to plan for the end of support in October, or start shopping around for a new laptop.

California man sues Microsoft over Windows 11 upgrades

He wants Microsoft to keep supporting Windows 10 until its market share drops below 10% Many are unhappy about Microsoft's Windows 10 retirement plans, but a California man appears to be angrier than most. He's sued Redmond over the matter, and is demanding continued free Win 10 updates until the OS's popularity wanes. Complainant Lawrence Klein is identified in the filing [PDF] only as a California resident who owns two Windows 10 laptops that can't be updated to Windows 11 due to their lack of a Trusted Platform Module 2.0 (TPM), which is required for the updated OS to run. Microsoft designed that restriction to improve security, but the company previously had a workaround that would allow you to install the OS without TPM. "With only three months until support ends for Windows 10, it is likely that many millions of users will not buy new devices or pay for extended support," Klein's lawyers argue in their complaint. Support for Windows 10 ends on October 14. Klein's argument boils down to claims that Microsoft violated California's business, advertising, and consumer legal relief regulations by forcing unnecessary upgrades on Windows 10 users and leaving those who choose not to upgrade without necessary security updates. Users actually don't have to switch to Windows 11 to keep getting support after October, however. Microsoft currently charges $30 for the first year of extended Windows 10 support, and you get this year free if you use Microsoft Reward points or sign in with a Microsoft account and sync your data to the cloud. But 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, his lawyers said, the court could also force Microsoft to loosen those unnecessary hardware restrictions. The complaint says that, unlike with previous Windows phaseouts, the end of life for Windows 10 is premature. After Windows XP, which lost support seven years after Vista's release, all the subsequent versions of Windows ended their lives eight years after their successor launched. Windows 11 has only been on the market for four years, meaning that Windows 10 should have another four years of support available if Microsoft had adhered to the same retirement calendar. The complaint also notes that Windows 10 still had more than 50 percent market share at the time Microsoft announced the phaseout plans last year. This has since changed, with Windows 11 finally overtaking Windows 10 in July when the new OS reached 53.5 percent of Windows installations, but nearly 43 percent are still on Win 10. That's far more than prior phaseouts, the complaint contends. "Each time Microsoft announced that it would end support for an operating system, the number of active users had declined to a small overall percentage of the operating systems in use," Klein's legal team maintains. In essence, Klein argues, the Windows 11 transition has been forced, artificial, and unfriendly to users, while potentially being incredibly profitable for Microsoft and the PC makers that license Windows from it. "Windows 11 does not present many enticing features that warrant an upgrade, and consumers do not find the new interface appealing," the complaint continues. "This sluggish demand for Windows 11 presents a unique challenge to Microsoft in the race to corner the AI market." By forcing users to transition to a PC that's fully compatible with Windows 11 and Copilot, Microsoft could build an advantage over competing AI firms. "Consumers do not need to seek out or install Copilot because it is already integrated into the OS. Microsoft can also actively promote Copilot within Windows 11 settings, making it a central AI experience," the complaint states. "In contrast, other AI companies ... rely on web-based or app-based distribution, meaning they must convince users to opt in rather than being the default AI assistant." In other words, Microsoft and the OEM manufacturers of AI PCs and other Windows 11 devices have a strong incentive to make 2025 year of the Windows 11 refresh, and need to push satisfied Windows 10 users along. Microsoft didn't respond to questions for this story. ®

Microsoft faces a lawsuit over cutting Windows 10's support as it's accused of monopolizing the AI market

* A person is suing Microsoft over ending Windows 10 support, arguing it will jeopardize millions of users. * The plaintiff demands support until Windows 10 holds less than 10% market share to prevent users from being stranded. * Microsoft is accused of monopolizing the market by pushing users to buy new devices with Windows 11, which some PCs cannot upgrade to. With Windows 10 falling out of support in mid-October, people have been preparing for the occasion. Some are planning to use Microsoft's extended support plans to get an extra year for their PC, while others will change operating systems. Some of the latter group will force Windows 11 on their computer, while others will use an alternative operating system, such as Linux. However, one person wants to make it so that people won't need to do anything whatsoever. They're suing Microsoft over handling Windows 10 and demanding that it extend support until people have begun moving away from the operating system. Microsoft is being sued over Windows 10's end-of-support date In an article on Courthouse News Service (thanks, Neowin!), a plaintiff called Lawrence Klein is taking Microsoft to court. They own two laptops, both of which run Windows 10 and cannot upgrade to Windows 11. They argue that once the cutoff date comes around, his devices will become obsolete, and accuse Microsoft of "[monopolizing] the generative AI market" by pushing people toward purchasing new Windows 11 PCs with NPUs in them. Klein made the following statement: With only three months until support ends for Windows 10, it is likely that many millions of users will not buy new devices or pay for extended support. These users -- some of whom are businesses storing sensitive consumer data -- will be at a heightened risk of a cyberattack or other data security incident, a reality of which Microsoft is well aware. In other words, Microsoft's long-term business strategy to secure market dominance will have the effect of jeopardizing data security not only of Microsoft's customers but also of persons who may not use Microsoft's products at all. Klein goes on to lay out the terms they want Microsoft to obey. Basically, Klein argues that Microsoft should continue supporting Windows 10 for all users at no additional cost until the market share for the operating system falls below 10%. At that point, Klein concedes that Windows 10 will have fallen out of enough favor to justify Microsoft pulling the plug on it; however, with Windows 10 currently holding 43% of the share, Klein argues that that's far too many people to leave stranded without ways to continue support without bowing to Microsoft's demands. If the lawsuit doesn't go through and Microsoft sticks to its original plan, people will either need to use Windows Backup, spend 1,000 Microsoft Points, or pay $30 to get security updates for another year. However, people who want to extend support and keep using local accounts are in for a nasty surprise.

California man sues Microsoft to keep Windows 10 running until usage falls below 10%

Can this lawsuit set a precedent on how big tech handles software transitions? A California man is suing Microsoft, alleging that ending Windows 10 support is an anticompetitive move to force users into buying new PCs, creating a captive market for its AI-powered services. What's happened? California resident Lawrence Klein has filed a class-action lawsuit against Microsoft. The suit centers on Microsoft's plan to officially end support and security updates for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. Klein alleges this creates forced obsolescence for PCs that cannot meet the strict hardware requirements for Windows 11. The lawsuit's central claim is that this strategy is not about security or technology, but about forcing users onto new Copilot+ PCs that are optimized to run Microsoft's generative AI software. The plaintiff argues this is an attempt by Microsoft to leverage its operating system dominance to unfairly control the emerging AI market. Klein wants Microsoft to continue offering free Windows 10 support until its share of all Windows installations drops below 10%, a significant gap from the current market share of 43%. Recommended Videos This is important because: It directly challenges the tech industry practice of phasing out older software and hardware, potentially setting a new legal precedent. An estimated 240 million PCs are expected to become obsolete, creating significant electronic waste and financial burdens for consumers and businesses. The lawsuit highlights the growing link between hardware, software, and the race for AI dominance, questioning whether consumers are being forced into an ecosystem they didn't choose. With nearly half of all Windows users still on Windows 10, the end of support poses a major cybersecurity risk for a massive global user base. Why should I care? If your current PC runs Windows 10 but can't upgrade to Windows 11, it will stop receiving free security updates after October 14, leaving it vulnerable to viruses and malware. Users will now have to face a choice, either buy a new computer, pay Microsoft an annual fee for Extended Security Updates (ESU), or risk using an insecure device. The cost of the ESU program for individuals is expected to increase each year, making it an expensive temporary fix. This situation could force you into an unplanned and potentially costly hardware upgrade simply to maintain a secure computer. What's next? Microsoft has not yet publicly responded to the specifics of the lawsuit. The case will proceed through the legal system, but a resolution is unlikely before the October 2025 deadline. Windows 10 users on ineligible hardware must decide in the weeks whether to purchase a new PC, pay for extended support, or switch to an alternative operating system. The outcome of this lawsuit could influence how major tech companies manage future software transitions and their responsibilities to their existing customers.

Microsoft Is Now Being Sued Over Sunsetting Windows 10

Windows 10 end of life is nigh: On Oct. 14, 2025, Microsoft will officially stop supporting the OS. That doesn't mean Windows 10 machines will stop working overnight. On the contrary, the experience will feel exactly the same. The difference, however, is that Microsoft will no longer issue security updates for Windows 10, putting those users at great risk going forward. Those users will either have to update their existing machines to Windows 11, buy a new machine that is compatible with Windows 11, or enroll in an extra year of Extended Security Updates. That last option is likely the choice for most Windows 10 users who want to continue safely using their OS in an uninterrupted manor: It's like an alternate reality in which Microsoft never ended Windows 10 support, and now continues to patch security vulnerabilities -- at least for a year. If you want to keep your Windows 10 PC protected from security vulnerabilities past Oct. 14, this is the option for you. The thing is, it likely involves a one-time payment of $30, unless you're open to one of Microsoft's two alternative enrollment methods: opting into Windows Backup, or redeeming 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points. There's apparently another option, however, that most of us hadn't considered: suing Microsoft directly. Lawrence Klein of California filed a lawsuit against Microsoft in June, alleging the company is unfairly forcing customers to buy new computers in order to continue using Windows. Klein argues that customers bought their Windows 10 PCs with the expectation that they'd be able to upgrade them into the future, while, at the same time, Microsoft was knowingly selling machines that they planned to make impossible to update. Klein himself has two PCs that reportedly cannot be upgraded to Windows 11. The lawsuit doesn't specify which minimum requirements Klein's hardware is missing, but it does highlight general specs including Intel 8th Gen Coffee Lake or Zen 2 CPUs and up, TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module) support, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage. The TPM 2.0 requirement in particular went viral when Windows 11 dropped, because it's simply a piece of security hardware. Even high-end machines without TPM 2.0 weren't "Windows 11 ready." Klein points to Microsoft's market dominance in this area as the reason behind the decision. In Klein's view, Microsoft wants customers to use their new AI products, both those products require newer hardware -- such as those with neural processing units (NPUs) -- in order to run. Windows 10 machines largely do not have the necessary hardware to run Microsoft's AI products, and, as such, Klein believes Microsoft is trying to force users to buy new machines to boost the number customers using the AI products. Klein also argues that Microsoft has offered more of a sunset window for previous OS deprecations. The lawsuit points to how the last three deprecations offered an eight year window between when a new OS launches and the previous OS was dropped, while the fourth, Windows XP, offered a seven year window. By contrast, Windows 11 came out in 2021, which offers users a four year window. There's also the argument about the number of users who will be affected by this decision. Independent estimates suggest Windows 10 might be running on as many as 54% of PCs around the globe. Klein's lawsuit argues that Microsoft is putting hundreds of millions of devices in jeopardy, since a lack of security update will leave devices vulnerable. I'm no legal expert, but I am a cynic who covers technology for a living, so my gut says "no." It's not necessarily the fact that this is one man against the entity that is Microsoft, though there is that: It's that some of the main arguments here won't stand up to scrutiny. The plaintiff claims Microsoft only gave users less than a year's notice for Windows 10 end of life; that simply isn't true. As early as 2021, Microsoft listed the retirement date for Windows 10 on its website. I can buy that the company might not have been as transparent as it could have been with its messaging -- general users are not going to be digging through Microsoft's support documentation -- but, to be fair, Oct. 14, 2025 has been the date for over four years now. Microsoft is also not the first company to drop software support for an OS. In fact, it's an inevitability. Sure, the window between Windows 11's release date and Windows 10 end of life is only four years, but Windows 10 came out in 2015. 10 years is not a bad run for an OS. Apple dropped support for macOS Monterey, for example, in 2024, less than three years after it first came out. When you look at hardware support, macOS Monterey was the last supported version for a number of Macs, which were generally released anywhere between 2013 and 2017. That means, depending on your Mac, you received seven to 11 years of security updates. It's not a perfect comparison, but this is largely how tech works. I agree that it's scummy that Microsoft blocked users from upgrading to Windows 11 because of TPM requirements, especially since upgrading an unsupported machine to Windows 11 could result in dropped Microsoft support anyway. I also agree that it's concerning that the Windows 10 market share is still so high: While some users may enroll in Extended Security Updates or buy a Windows 11 machine, I can imagine millions will not. Will Microsoft really allow that many machines to connect to the internet totally exposed? But at the end of the day, do I think the arguments in this lawsuit are enough? I don't. For all we know, Microsoft changes its stance before Oct. 14, and offer users another option. Maybe they'll kick the can down the road for another year, and automatically enroll everyone in Extended Security Updates for free. Maybe Klein will win his lawsuit, and bring real change to tech industry. But that's speculative. I can only give advice based on what we know now. And right now, Windows 10 support is dropping in October. Before that happens, you need to make a decision that will guarantee continued security updates going forward. That means enrolling in Extended Security Updates in one of the three aforementioned ways, moving to a new Windows 11 machine, or permanently disconnecting your Windows 10 PC from the internet. There are no other safe options. While I believe it's unwise to use any unsupported software while connected to the internet, it's especially dangerous with something like Windows 10. Considering the market share, and the high profile nature of the OS, Windows 10 users are going to be prime targets for bad actors and hackers as soon as Microsoft pulls the plug. They'll look for any and all security vulnerabilities they can exploit, and without a patch to protect users, they'll be able to run those exploits against millions of targets. Personally, I hope Microsoft changes something before October, but there's no way to know if they will. Until then, the best thing you can do as a Windows 10 user is prepare.

Microsoft Sued for Ending Windows 10 Support

Lawsuit alleges that Microsoft is trying to dominate generative AI space Microsoft will end support for Windows 10 in October this year. In response, as many users transition to extended support options or switch operating systems, a California resident has filed a lawsuit against the tech giant. The plaintiff claims that Microsoft's move to phase out Windows 10 support is a calculated effort to push consumers toward buying new hardware and strengthen its dominance in the generative AI market. The lawsuit requests a court order requiring Microsoft to provide free support for Windows 10 until its user base drops. A Southern California man named Lawrence Klein has filed a lawsuit against Microsoft under ID 25CU041477C (via). He owns two laptops that currently run on Windows 10 but aren't eligible for an upgrade to Windows 11. Klein claims that once support for Windows 10 ends, his laptops will effectively become unusable. The lawsuit alleges that Microsoft is attempting to dominate the generative AI space by encouraging users to switch to Windows 11 machines, which come with its AI assistant, Copilot, already built in. These features work best with a neural processing unit (NPU), which is found in newer PCs but absent in older models. The lawsuit says, "With only three months until support ends for Windows 10, it is likely that many millions of users will not buy new devices or pay for extended support. "These users -- some of whom are businesses storing sensitive consumer data -- will be at a heightened risk of a cyberattack or other data security incident, a reality of which Microsoft is well aware". "In other words, Microsoft's long-term business strategy to secure market dominance will have the effect of jeopardising data security not only of Microsoft's customers but also of persons who may not use Microsoft's products at all." Klein is also seeking a court order requiring Microsoft to provide free support for Windows 10 until the number of devices running the operating system falls below a reasonable threshold. The lawsuit also seeks coverage for legal fees. Microsoft previously announced that it would end support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. Users with devices running Windows 10 are recommended to upgrade to Windows 11. Devices which do not meet the technical requirements to run on the latest version of the OS are advised to enrol in the Windows 10 Consumer Extended Security Updates (ESU) programme or replace the device with one that supports Windows 11.

Microsoft sued for ending Windows 10 support, sparking upgrade backlash

Klein accuses Microsoft of forcing hardware upgrades to push AI-ready PCs with Copilot pre-installed. Microsoft is set to end support for Windows 10 in mid-October 2025. Though users can purchase extended security updates for an extra year, while others will upgrade to Windows 11 or switch to alternatives like Linux. However, one user has sued Microsoft for ending Windows 10 support, forcing users to move to a new device. According to Courthouse News Service, Lawrence Klein, who owns two laptops that can't upgrade to Windows 11, has filed a lawsuit demanding that Microsoft extend Windows 10 support until its market share drops below 10%. Currently, Windows 10 holds around 43% of all Windows devices, a figure Klein argues is far too high to abandon without leaving millions at risk. Klein claims Microsoft's decision is a deliberate push to force hardware upgrades, benefiting the company's AI ambitions by shipping new PCs with Copilot pre-installed. He warns that millions of individuals and businesses, including those holding sensitive consumer data, will be exposed to heightened cybersecurity risks once updates stop. "This is a reality Microsoft is well aware of," Klein said, accusing the tech giant of prioritising market dominance over user safety. If the lawsuit fails, Microsoft's current plan will stand. Users will either need to rely on Windows Backup, pay $30 (or 1,000 Microsoft Points) for another year of updates, or migrate to a new system entirely. However, those hoping to keep local accounts under extended support may face further restrictions. Klein said Microsoft is killing the older OS when "Windows 10 users represented more than half of the Windows operating system (OS) market share." He also cited the 240 million PCs that cannot be upgraded, "forcing" users to "buy new devices capable of running Windows 11 or pay unanticipated sums for extended support." Also read: Apple iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro Max India launch next month: Specs, price and other leaks For the unversed, users can extend Windows 10 support by paying between $30 (roughly Rs 2700) and $60 (roughly Rs 5400).