Overview

• Lawrence Klein filed a complaint on August 9 in San Diego Superior Court seeking an injunction to compel Microsoft to continue free Windows 10 updates until its market share falls below 10%.
• Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates program offers paid extensions at $30–$60 per device or conditional free coverage through OneDrive backups or Rewards points but excludes many hardware-ineligible PCs.
• Nearly 45% of Windows users remain on Windows 10, representing hundreds of millions of devices that will lose security patches after the October 14, 2025 end-of-support deadline.
• The lawsuit alleges Microsoft’s support cutoff is intended to force customers onto Windows 11 devices optimized for its Copilot AI suite to consolidate market dominance.
• Critics warn the planned end of Windows 10 support risks increased e-waste, reduced consumer choice and heightened cyberattack vulnerability for millions barred from upgrading.