Redazione RHC : 12 August 2025 08:10
A lawsuit has been filed in California against Microsoft, accusing it of prematurely ending support for Windows 10 and forcing users to purchase new devices. The plaintiff, San Diego resident Lawrence Klein, claims that the decision to stop security updates on October 14, 2025, will affect approximately 240 million computers worldwide, half of which will be unable to upgrade to Windows 11 due to stringent hardware requirements.
He claims this will force millions of people to pay for “extended support” (from $30 a year for consumers to $244 a year for businesses in the third year) or replace working devices, creating mountains of e-waste and exposing data to cyberattacks.
The lawsuit alleges that Microsoft is exploiting its dominant position in the operating system market to promote a new line of devices running Windows 11 and a built-in AI assistant called Copilot, which requires advanced neural processing units (NPUs).
This, according to Klein, gives the company a competitive advantage in the rapidly growing generative AI market, while limiting user choice and reducing incentives for competitors.
It also notes that Windows 10’s support cycle is nearly halved compared to previous versions of the operating system, and that users have not received clear information about the end of support and the consequences when purchasing devices.
In addition to financial losses and compatibility issues, Klein highlights the security risks, even for organizations handling sensitive data. It asks the court to force Microsoft to extend free support for Windows 10 until the user base falls below a reasonable threshold, or to relax the requirements for Windows 11 and require mandatory disclosure of support periods and associated risks when selling devices.
Redazione