Microsoft Announces Considering Allowing Consumers To Repair Their Own Console Hardware

Microsoft could be one of the first companies to join the “right to repair” movement. Although it is perfectly legal for each user to repair their own devices, no company offers any kind of help to do so. Companies like Apple and Microsoft refuse to offer replacement parts or even technical documentation that makes it easy to repair their devices, unless you are a duly authorized partner to repair the devices.

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1 Microsoft faces a dilemma

2 Will Microsoft keep its word by offering repair parts and documentation? Or will your relationship with ESA prevent you from doing so?

2.1 Related posts:

It appears that Microsoft would be considering changing its policy in this regard. According to Grist reports, Microsoft struck a deal with As You Sow, a nonprofit investment group. They asked Microsoft to study the potential “environmental and social benefits” that can be achieved by making it easy to repair your devices. Microsoft agreed to hire an independent consultant to conduct the study on the benefits of providing consumers with access to parts and repair documentation. It will also look at whether this could reduce carbon emissions and waste.

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As expected, Microsoft will not release this study as it may contain trade secrets and other confidential information. However, it will share a summary of its findings in May 2022. If it is confirmed that it brings benefits, the company agreed to make new parts and documentation available to users related through its authorized repair network by the end of 2022.

Microsoft faces a dilemma

However, Nathan Proctor of the US Public Research Interest Group informed Grist that Microsoft is still a member of groups that oppose to this right of reparation. One of them is the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), the trade association for the video game industry in the US. This association has already made its position clear and, if these benefits are confirmed, Microsoft would be accepting a new policy that goes against the ESA. It could at least improve its reputation with consumers, who consider it one of the most hated tech companies.