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Celestial [soylentnews.org] writes:

A California woman has won $10,000 in compensation from Microsoft [theguardian.com] after Windows 10 automatically tried and failed to install on her Windows 7 computer.

The automatic install of Windows 10 failed, leaving her with a unstable and often unresponsive computer used to run her travel agency from an office in Sausalito, California.

Teri Goldstein reportedly said [seattletimes.com]: “I had never heard of Windows 10. Nobody ever asked me if I wanted to update.”

After attempting to fix the problem with Microsoft’s support, Goldstein sued the company for a new computer and loss of earnings, winning $10,000. Microsoft dropped its appeal to avoid further legal expenses, leaving Microsoft footing the bill.

In March, users started complaining that Windows 10 automatically started to install on their computers without their permission, leading some to hilarious interruptions to weather forecasts and pro-gaming sessions alike.

The forceful rollout has angered users, but has also boosted Windows 10 numbers, crossing 270 million users by the end of March 2016, running on 17.43% of the worlds’ computers - second only to Windows 7 - according to data from Netmarketshare.

Whether the lawsuit and $10,000 judgment will spawn further suits over failed or forced Windows 10 installs remains to be seen. Goldstein has shown it’s possible, which could open the floodgates.

Windows $10k has a certain ring to it.

Original Submission