Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) is facing a lawsuit in Illinois related to its Windows 10 operating system, according to a new report.
The suit, filed Thursday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, alleges that the software giant failed to ensure that Windows 10 would not cause problems for users who download and install it, Sci-Tech-Today reported.
The plaintiffs are Stephanie Watson, Robert Saiger, and Howard Goldberg. They are being represented by the Chicago law firm of Edelman, Combs, Latturner & Goodwin.
According to the plaintiffs, after downloading and installing Windows 10, they lost data and their computers stopped working properly. Watson claimed that her computer was upgraded to Windows 10 without her permission.
“A great number of people have installed the Windows 10 system inadvertently or without full realization of the extent of the download,” according to the complaint.
“Once downloaded, the Windows 10 system does not have an option for its deletion. The program can be deleted but it takes a significant effort to find out how to do so; a typical user will not have the expertise to remove the system without professional IT help,” the complaint said.
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) released the cloud-focused Windows 10 in 2015 as a free upgrade for one year to users of existing versions of Windows. The software giant received criticism for how it distributed Windows 10, including the automatic downloads of installation files, the recurring display of pop-ups advertising the upgrade, and allegations of the installation process being initiated automatically without a user permission.
“The Windows 10 free upgrade program was a choice designed to help people take advantage of the most secure, and most productive Windows. Customers had the option not to upgrade to Windows 10,” Microsoft told Courthouse News Service. “If a customer who upgraded during the one year program needed help with the upgrade experience, we had numerous options including free customer support and 31 days to roll back to their old operating system. We believe the plaintiffs’ claims are without merit.”
The plaintiffs are seeking more than $5 million in damages.
Shares of Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) were trading down 0.29% in the morning session. The stock is up 4.78% year-to-date. Shares have gained 19% during the last 12 months.