From Newsgroup: uk.comp.homebuilt

(CN) u A Southern California man sued Microsoft on Thursday over the
software giant's plan to discontinue support for the old version of its
widely used operating system Windows.

Though Windows 11 was launched nearly four years ago, many of its billion
or so worldwide users are clinging to the decade-old Windows 10. In fact,
the newer Windows only just recently overtook its predecessor, in July.

According to StatCounter, nearly 43% of Windows users still use the old version on their desktop computers. The bad news for them is that
Microsoft is discontinuing its routine support for Windows 10 in nearly
two months on Oct. 14.

Not that computers running Windows 10 will completely stop working on that day. But they will no longer receive new features or security updates.

The plaintiff, Lawrence Klein, says in his complaint filed in San Diego Superior Court, that he owns two laptops, both of which run Windows 10.
Both laptops, he says in his complaint, will become obsolete in October,
when Microsoft ends support for Windows 10.

Klein says that the end of Windows 10 is part of Microsoft's strategy to
force customers to purchase new devices and to "monopolize the generative
AI market."

Windows 11 comes with Microsoft's suite of generative artificial
intelligence software, including the chatbot Copilot. To run optimally, Microsoft's AI needs a piece of hardware called a neural processing unit, which newer tablets, laptops and desktop computers have u and which the
older devices do not.

"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 writes in his complaint. "These users u some of whom are businesses storing sensitive consumer data u 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, MicrosoftAs long-term business strategy to secure market dominance will have the effect of jeopardizing data security not only of MicrosoftAs customers but also of persons who may not use MicrosoftAs
products at all," he adds.

Although the Windows 11 upgrade is free, an estimated 240 million personal computers don't have the right hardware to run the new operating system.
And without security updates, they will be increasingly vulnerable to
malware and viruses. Those customers will have the option of extended security, which will last until 2028, but at a price: $30 for individuals
and $61 per device for businesses, increasing to $244 by the third year.

According to one market analyst writing in 2023, Microsoft's shift away
from Windows 10 will lead millions of customers to buy new devices and
thrown out their old ones, consigning as many as 240 million PCs to the landfill.

"If these were all folded laptops, stacked one on top of another, they
would make a pile 600km taller than the moon," the analyst wrote.

Klein is asking a judge to order Microsoft to continue supporting Windows
10 without additional charge, until the number of devices running the
older operating system falls bellow 10% of total Windows users. He says nothing about any money he seeking for himself, though it does ask for attorneys' fees.

Microsoft did not respond to an email requesting a comment.

https://www.courthousenews.com/microsoft-sued-for-discontinuing-windows- 10-support/

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