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Microsoft pays user $10,000 over Windows 10 automatic update
Although generally well-received by technology critics, Microsoft’s latest operating system, Windows 10, has caused discomfort to users whose computers constantly prompt them to update their computer system. Teri Goldstein’s battle against Windows 10, however, was more than just bugs and annoying notification-cum-advertisement pop-ups.
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Analysts say that part of Microsoft’s push for the Windows 10 stems from the desire to centralize users into one operating system, thereby limiting the amount of upkeep Microsoft engineers have to attend to. (Shutterstock.com/charnsitr)
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lthough generally well-received by technology critics, Microsoft’s latest operating system, Windows 10, has caused discomfort to users whose computers constantly prompt them to update their computer system. Teri Goldstein’s battle against Windows 10, however, was more than just bugs and annoying notification-cum-advertisement pop-ups. A few days after Windows 10 launched, she said her computer downloaded the update without her consent.
“I had never heard of Windows 10,” Goldstein said as quoted by the Seattle Times. “Nobody ever asked me if I wanted to update.”
The update eventually failed, causing her computer to become extremely volatile, crashing frequently and remaining unusable for days. Her work as a travel agent in Sausalito, California, was affected and she needed to purchase a new computer.
(Read also: Microsoft's Windows 10 push comes to shove for some users)
After reaching out to Microsoft’s customer support to no avail, Goldstein took the software giant to court with hopes of receiving compensation for lost income and the cost of her new computer. Teri Goldstein won the court ruling, earning her US$10,000 last month. Although the company has denied any wrongdoing, a spokeswoman said Microsoft would not appeal the decision to avoid the expenses of further litigation.
Goldstein’s case is only one of the many complaints against Microsoft, most of which criticize its increasingly “aggressive” roll out of Windows 10. Analysts say that part of Microsoft’s push for the Windows 10 stems from the desire to centralize users into one operating system, thereby limiting the amount of upkeep Microsoft engineers have to attend to. Those who join the Windows 10 bandwagon but decide that they don’t like it are given a 31-day period to return to their previous versions.
“We’re continuing to listen to customer feedback and evolve the upgrade experience based on their feedback,” Microsoft said in a statement. (sab/kes)
