Microsoft’s update policy had started to raise eyebrows after various Windows users reported that Windows 10 was automatically being installed on their PCs without their permission. Little had Microsoft expected that the forced installation would cost them US $10,000.
California-based Teri Goldstein’s PC downloaded updates automatically, causing her computer to significantly lag before finally making it prone to crashes. Goldstein had initially reached out to Microsoft for assistance, but filed a law suit when they could not resolve her complaints. The $10,000 figure Microsoft paid reflects both compensation and the price for a new system.
The Guardian
“I have never heard of Microsoft. Nobody ever asked me if I wanted to update,” said Goldstein.
Though Microsoft denied any wrongdoing, it settled the case immediately without appealing. A Microsoft representative informed The Times that the company did not want to take the legal battle any further to avoid the expenses of further litigation.
OH LOOK WINDOWS 10 STARTED UPDATING MY PC WITHOUT ME ASKING AND I LEAVE FOR GDC IN 15 HOURS pic.twitter.com/PS192VD37O
Microsoft’s aggressive update policy was addressed in a CNET report published in May, 2016, which reads: Instead of simply giving you the option to install its latest operating system (or not), Microsoft now automatically schedules a date and time to update your PC to Windows 10. If you don’t want the software updates or if you want to change the installation date, you have to take deliberate action: manually click a link in the message, then choose to reschedule it or cancel it altogether.
As of May, 2016, 300 million devices on multiple platforms, including Xbox One, use Windows 10.
