Microsoft to stop producing Windows version

[SimonMac]

Microsoft to stop producing Windows versions - BBC News

Instead of new stand-alone versions, Windows 10 would be improved in regular instalments, the firm said.

Windows 10, 10.1, 10.2 etc am I the only one getting a sense of déjà vu, I wonder if they will give each iteration a snazzy name based on an animal

[Ticktock]

My guess is that they'll no longer be selling new versions, but will probably tighten up on number of installs (at least initially, until the complaints come in).

So you'll need to buy a new copy for a new PC - the complaints would come from build-your-own guys. If I was forced to buy a new copy everytime I upgrade my HDD I'd be very annoyed. When I upgrade my CPU/MB I could almost understand it, but I still wouldn't be happy.

[SimonMac]

Microsoft to stop producing Windows version

My guess is that they'll no longer be selling new versions, but will probably tighten up on number of installs (at least initially, until the complaints come in).

So you'll need to buy a new copy for a new PC - the complaints would come from build-your-own guys. If I was forced to buy a new copy everytime I upgrade my HDD I'd be very annoyed. When I upgrade my CPU/MB I could almost understand it, but I still wouldn't be happy.

Office was always their biggest revenue source, they have drastically changed the way they sell that with Office365 going to a subscription model, maybe they will do that with Windows too

[sal]

My guess is that they'll no longer be selling new versions, but will probably tighten up on number of installs (at least initially, until the complaints come in).

So you'll need to buy a new copy for a new PC - the complaints would come from build-your-own guys. If I was forced to buy a new copy everytime I upgrade my HDD I'd be very annoyed. When I upgrade my CPU/MB I could almost understand it, but I still wouldn't be happy.

There is no real restriction on the number of times you can activate retail copy of desktop Windows. The automatic activation might start failing after/around the 3rd time but you can always activate by phone. Of course if you start abusing it activating 100 times a week it won't work.

MSFT simply realized that their main income from Windows licenses is coming from the corporate world, and most of it is already on a Software Assurance / subscription type of agreements getting the new versions for "free" anyway. By giving Win 10 for all pirated copies of win 7 and 8 now and the updates thereafter for free to end users MSFT is not losing much.

[Boo]

...MSFT simply realized that their main income from Windows licenses is coming from the corporate world, and most of it is already on a Software Assurance / subscription type of agreements getting the new versions for "free" anyway. By giving Win 10 for all pirated copies of win 7 and 8 now and the updates thereafter for free to end users MSFT is not losing much.

This is invented. MS's intentions are to put all users on a subscription basis so that you will need to pay a monthly or annual fee to continue to use your Windows installation. This is in line with the general corporate push to move from "event" (individual sales) based income models to "income stream" (subscription) based income models.

MS have not disclosed whether the subscription charges will be on an annual or monthly basis after the initial free year of access to W10 for qualified users, but make no mistake, there is nothing "free" about either W10 or its future updates.

I will personally not be upgrading any of my W7 installations until MS have fronted the relevant info. And possibly not afterwards either...

Boo

[eek]

This is invented. MS's intentions are to put all users on a subscription basis so that you will need to pay a monthly or annual fee to continue to use your Windows installation. This is in line with the general corporate push to move from "event" (individual sales) based income models to "income stream" (subscription) based income models.

MS have not disclosed whether the subscription charges will be on an annual or monthly basis after the initial free year of access to W10 for qualified users, but make no mistake, there is nothing "free" about either W10 or its future updates.

I will personally not be upgrading any of my W7 installations until MS have fronted the relevant info. And possibly not afterwards either...

Boo

Linky?

[Boo]

Linky?

No, but I could cut my head off and post you my brain in a cardboard box if you like...

Boo

[darrylmg]

There's more detail around now:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/gordonke...has-high-cost/

[eek]

There's more detail around now:
'Free' Windows 10 Has High Cost To Windows 7 And Windows 8 Users - Forbes

That's not details just boo's scare theory written on another website.

It however ignores the reason why Windows 10 is free and going to force updates on you and that's because its far cheaper to support 1 consistent, continually up to date system rather than 10 variations.... It may well be that Microsoft see that its cheaper to allow current users to have everything free knowing that they will still get £50 every few years when people purchase the next laptop / desktop...

[sal]

The devil is in the details Win 10 will be free but not the Enterprise version, which is where the majority of the income is anyway. It's the same reason why MSFT (and many others like Apple) are offering products to Education bodies at heavy discount - to hook people up, so they start demanding the same product at work, at the same time stifling the competition.

Subscription model or no, Windows is here to stay, anyone with even a little experience/insight of an Enterprise level IT knows that.