this post was submitted on 23 Jan 2026
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They're selling Windows and one of the selling points is that it includes full disk encryption. Thus they are selling full disk encryption.
Most people have windows because of OEM keys, so you don't really have a direct bussiness relationship with Microsoft so its kinda harder to sue.
If you build a pc then separately bought a key, then you might have a better case.
(Disclaimer: I am not a laywer)
What if you downloaded an iso from Microsoft and typed a simple command into powershell to activate it? 🏴☠️
But yeah all I'm saying is Microsoft are definitely on shaky ground with their sales claim here. However it's no less shaky than things they were already convicted of years ago yet seem to be doing yet again, eg bundling Internet Explorer/Edge as the default browser - which has now expanded into occassionally resetting your default apps to Microsoft ones with system updates.
I mean you're gonna have to prove in court how you've been "harmed" and if you don't have a sales receipt from microsoft, then I don't see how a court is gonna side with you.
Pretty sure some lawyer that works for Microsoft is gonna try to counterclaim and say you committed copyright infringement by bypassing the normal activation method.
And can you even afford lawyers lol? Most of us cannot afford constantly paying for laywers that cost $200/hour on the cheaper end, and suing a massive corporation is an uphill battle.
Lol setting aside the joke, and of course if you don't pay you won't have a case, but if you had paid I think there would be some statutory rights that would make a claim straightforward and wouldn't require a lawyer. Small claims is a pretty universal concept regardless of jurisdiction, the limit varies but everywhere has some similar avenue. Filing fees are small and lawyers are not usually involved, just two parties and a judge, and these days it can be done remotely.
Mandatory Arbitration in ToS have entered the chat
You have like 30 days, from the date of sale, to opt out in most of these clauses, if you didnt mail a fucking letter to them to opt out, then you're fucked.
Thankfully mandatory arbitration isn't a global problem.