Tech giant Microsoft (MSFT) has drawn a lot of flack lately over its planned move to Windows 11, and the fact that it will basically be abandoning Windows 10 users once the move emerges. While for years, it was possible to continue using an older version of Windows, Microsoft’s plan to halt updates for Windows 10 is leaving some out in the cold. And no less than Consumer Reports itself came out against Microsoft for it. The news set investors’ collective teeth on edge, and Microsoft shares slipped fractionally in Wednesday afternoon’s trading.
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Consumer Reports called out Microsoft in no uncertain terms, though it was very polite about the matter. Consumer Reports pointed out that around 46% of Windows computers are currently running Windows 10, and many of them are unable to upgrade to Windows 11 due to hardware requirements. Thus, the move to Windows 11 will effectively leave these devices with limited protection, and make them targets for hackers when October 14 arrives.
Consumer Reports thus obliged Microsoft to “…do the right thing and continue supporting Windows 10 without charging consumers.” It supported this position by pointing out how Microsoft’s decision to offer only paid support for a year is a serious security risk, and how this decision will directly impact, and harm, consumers.
Now Hiring: “Gaming China Business Development Lead”
China has been a gamer-unfriendly place for some time now. Back in 2021, China established what The Economist called “…the world’s strictest limits on video games.” While there are some signs that restrictions are loosening, especially given how many games Chinese developers release, there are concerns as well. It is into this market that Microsoft is looking to hire a Gaming China Business Development Lead.
With the Chinese market now on par with the United States, and having about three times the players as well for added potential, having someone in place to address the Chinese market could be a big win. Getting games released in China can be a challenge, though; every game must be approved by a government regulatory body, and must be free of explicit violence and skeletons. Oh, it must also have all its menus translated into simplified Chinese before release.
Is Microsoft a Buy, Hold or Sell?
Turning to Wall Street, analysts have a Strong Buy consensus rating on MSFT stock based on 34 Buys and one Hold assigned in the past three months, as indicated by the graphic below. After an 18.16% rally in its share price over the past year, the average MSFT price target of $625.78 per share implies 23.06% upside potential.
