Microsoft: Difference between revisions - Consumer_Action

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Microsoft is a dominant American technology company founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen. Initially focused on developing BASIC interpreters, the company rose to prominence through its MS-DOS and Windows operating systems, which became fundamental to the personal computer revolution. Under successive CEOs Steve Ballmer and Satya Nadella, Microsoft expanded beyond operating systems into diverse technology sectors, including cloud computing, gaming, and hardware. Notable acquisitions include Skype, LinkedIn, and most recently Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion, making Microsoft the third-largest gaming company globally.

As one of the Big Five American tech companies, Microsoft maintains market dominance in PC operating systems and office software, while offering a wide range of products and services including the Azure cloud platform, Xbox gaming consoles, Surface computers, and enterprise solutions. Despite reaching a trillion-dollar market valuation in 2019, the company has faced criticism for monopolistic practices and software security issues. Microsoft's early success created significant wealth for its employees, with its 1986 IPO leading to three billionaires and an estimated 12,000 millionaires among its staff.

As one of the Big Five American tech companies, Microsoft maintains market dominance in PC operating systems and office software, while offering a wide range of products and services including the Azure cloud platform, Xbox gaming consoles, Surface computers, and enterprise solutions. Despite reaching a trillion-dollar market valuation in 2019, the company has faced criticism for monopolistic practices and software security issues. Microsoft's early success created significant wealth for its employees, with its 1986 IPO leading to three billionaires and an estimated 12,000 millionaires among its staff.

== Controversies ==

=== Court cases up to the early 2000s ===

In the major antitrust case brought by the US Department of Justice, U.S. v. Microsoft Corp., 253 F.3d 34 (D.C. Cir. 2001)<ref>https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F3/253/34/576095/</ref>, Microsoft argued that there was no barrier to entry in the market they were in. A central issue at that time was whether Microsoft could bundle the web browser Internet Explorer with the Microsoft Windows operating system. The following ~~was said ~~in the court case: "The District Court condemned a number of provisions in Microsoft's agreements licensing Windows to OEMs, because it found that Microsoft's imposition of those provisions (like many of Microsoft's other actions at issue in this case) serves to reduce usage share of Netscape's browser and, hence, protect Microsoft's operating system monopoly."

In the major antitrust case brought by the US Department of Justice, U.S. v. Microsoft Corp., 253 F.3d 34 (D.C. Cir. 2001)<ref>https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F3/253/34/576095/</ref>, Microsoft argued that there was no barrier to entry in the market they were in. A central issue at that time was whether Microsoft could bundle the web browser Internet Explorer with the Microsoft Windows operating system. The District Court stated the following in the court case: "The District Court condemned a number of provisions in Microsoft's agreements licensing Windows to OEMs, because it found that Microsoft's imposition of those provisions (like many of Microsoft's other actions at issue in this case) serves to reduce usage share of Netscape's browser and, hence, protect Microsoft's operating system monopoly."

The court specifically identified three main license restrictions for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) that were considered problematic:

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In the case United States v. Microsoft Corp., 87 F. Supp. 2d 30 (D.D.C. 2000)<ref>https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/FSupp2/87/30/2307082/</ref>, Microsoft's Conduct taken as a whole is described as "deliberate assault upon entrepreneurial efforts that, could well have enabled the introduction of competition into the market for Intel-compatible PC operating systems". Further, "Microsoft's anticompetitive actions trammeled the competitive process through which the computer software industry generally stimulates innovation and conduces to the optimum benefit of consumers".

=== Edge~~~~===

=== Edge===

Microsoft's web browser, Edge, comes preinstalled on Windows and cannot be removed through ordinary means, typically also being reinstalled after major updates.<ref>https://www.windowscentral.com/how-prevent-microsoft-edge-chromium-installing-automatically-windows-10</ref> Edge was also shown to import user data from Chrome and Firefox without asking for user consent.<ref>https://www.komando.com/news/microsoft-edge-caught-importing-data/</ref>

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=== Microsoft account dark patterns when installing Windows===

Numerous dark patterns have been implemented in the form of ~~sneaky~~ language and user interface ~~during~~ the ~~installation process~~ to ~~mislead users into thinking~~ a Microsoft account ~~is required~~ and ~~thus logging in or creating an account~~. The dark patterns ~~to push users towards linking a Microsoft account~~ have been in place since Windows 10 was launched in 2015 and continue into the Windows 11 installation process.

[[File:MSInstall.png|thumb|An image of a Windows 10 installation, to illustrate the effort required to make an account unattached to a Microsoft account.]]

Numerous [[wikipedia:Dark_pattern|dark patterns]] have been implemented in the form of vague language and a confusing user interface which hides the option to create an account without a Microsoft account under sub-menus and small text. The dark patterns in the Windows installation menu have been in place since Windows 10 was launched in 2015 and continue into the Windows 11 installation process.

=== De-listing/destruction of access to games ===

In early September of 2016, Microsoft shut down access to purchasing Xbox 360 Indie Games <ref>https://www.polygon.com/2015/9/9/9297959/xbox-live-indie-games-shutting-down</ref>, and in late July of 2024, Microsoft shut down their storefront for Xbox 360 games<ref>https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2023/08/17/xbox-360-store-will-close-july-2024/</ref>. These shutdowns have caused hundreds of games to become impossible to obtain new copies of and for some, additionally play.

@@ Line 5: / Line 5: @@
 Microsoft is a dominant American technology company founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen. Initially focused on developing BASIC interpreters, the company rose to prominence through its MS-DOS and Windows operating systems, which became fundamental to the personal computer revolution. Under successive CEOs Steve Ballmer and Satya Nadella, Microsoft expanded beyond operating systems into diverse technology sectors, including cloud computing, gaming, and hardware. Notable acquisitions include Skype, LinkedIn, and most recently Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion, making Microsoft the third-largest gaming company globally.
-As one of the Big Five American tech companies, Microsoft maintains market dominance in PC operating systems and office software, while offering a wide range of products and services including the Azure cloud platform, Xbox gaming consoles, Surface computers, and enterprise solutions. Despite reaching a trillion-dollar market valuation in 2019, the company has faced criticism for monopolistic practices and software security issues. Microsoft's early success created significant wealth for its employees, with its 1986 IPO leading to three billionaires and an estimated 12,000 millionaires among its staff.<!-- Unsure how appropriate this is for a company page... seems more like an incident. A page about microsoft should really just focus on an overview, and linking to relevant Incident pages, and the other high-level things discussed on the article types page. -->
+As one of the Big Five American tech companies, Microsoft maintains market dominance in PC operating systems and office software, while offering a wide range of products and services including the Azure cloud platform, Xbox gaming consoles, Surface computers, and enterprise solutions. Despite reaching a trillion-dollar market valuation in 2019, the company has faced criticism for monopolistic practices and software security issues. Microsoft's early success created significant wealth for its employees, with its 1986 IPO leading to three billionaires and an estimated 12,000 millionaires among its staff.
 == Controversies ==
 === Court cases up to the early 2000s ===
-In the major antitrust case brought by the US Department of Justice, U.S. v. Microsoft Corp., 253 F.3d 34 (D.C. Cir. 2001)<ref>https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F3/253/34/576095/</ref>, Microsoft argued that there was no barrier to entry in the market they were in. A central issue at that time was whether Microsoft could bundle the web browser Internet Explorer with the Microsoft Windows operating system. The following was said <!-- By whom? -->in the court case: "The District Court condemned a number of provisions in Microsoft's agreements licensing Windows to OEMs, because it found that Microsoft's imposition of those provisions (like many of Microsoft's other actions at issue in this case) serves to reduce usage share of Netscape's browser and, hence, protect Microsoft's operating system monopoly."
+In the major antitrust case brought by the US Department of Justice, U.S. v. Microsoft Corp., 253 F.3d 34 (D.C. Cir. 2001)<ref>https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F3/253/34/576095/</ref>, Microsoft argued that there was no barrier to entry in the market they were in. A central issue at that time was whether Microsoft could bundle the web browser Internet Explorer with the Microsoft Windows operating system. The District Court stated the following in the court case: "The District Court condemned a number of provisions in Microsoft's agreements licensing Windows to OEMs, because it found that Microsoft's imposition of those provisions (like many of Microsoft's other actions at issue in this case) serves to reduce usage share of Netscape's browser and, hence, protect Microsoft's operating system monopoly."
 The court specifically identified three main license restrictions for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) that were considered problematic:
@@ Line 24: / Line 23: @@
 In the case United States v. Microsoft Corp., 87 F. Supp. 2d 30 (D.D.C. 2000)<ref>https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/FSupp2/87/30/2307082/</ref>, Microsoft's Conduct taken as a whole is described as "deliberate assault upon entrepreneurial efforts that, could well have enabled the introduction of competition into the market for Intel-compatible PC operating systems". Further, "Microsoft's anticompetitive actions trammeled the competitive process through which the computer software industry generally stimulates innovation and conduces to the optimum benefit of consumers".
-=== Edge<!-- tone is way off here -->===
+=== Edge===
 Microsoft's web browser, Edge, comes preinstalled on Windows and cannot be removed through ordinary means, typically also being reinstalled after major updates.<ref>https://www.windowscentral.com/how-prevent-microsoft-edge-chromium-installing-automatically-windows-10</ref> Edge was also shown to import user data from Chrome and Firefox without asking for user consent.<ref>https://www.komando.com/news/microsoft-edge-caught-importing-data/</ref>
@@ Line 41: / Line 40: @@
 === Microsoft account dark patterns when installing Windows<!-- Tone, and needs sources -->===
-Numerous dark patterns have been implemented in the form of sneaky language and user interface during the installation process to mislead users into thinking a Microsoft account is required and thus logging in or creating an account. The dark patterns to push users towards linking a Microsoft account have been in place since Windows 10 was launched in 2015 and continue into the Windows 11 installation process.
+[[File:MSInstall.png|thumb|An image of a Windows 10 installation, to illustrate the effort required to make an account unattached to a Microsoft account.]]
+Numerous [[wikipedia:Dark_pattern|dark patterns]] have been implemented in the form of vague language and a confusing user interface which hides the option to create an account without a Microsoft account under sub-menus and small text. The dark patterns in the Windows installation menu have been in place since Windows 10 was launched in 2015 and continue into the Windows 11 installation process.
 === De-listing/destruction of access to games ===
 In early September of 2016, Microsoft shut down access to purchasing Xbox 360 Indie Games <ref>https://www.polygon.com/2015/9/9/9297959/xbox-live-indie-games-shutting-down</ref>, and in late July of 2024, Microsoft shut down their storefront for Xbox 360 games<ref>https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2023/08/17/xbox-360-store-will-close-july-2024/</ref>. These shutdowns have caused hundreds of games to become impossible to obtain new copies of and for some, additionally play.