Win10 ISN'T free

[silvarios]

rjmacs wrote:
No disagreement here, but the point originally was that once Windows 11 is out, those updates will be provided only if you PAY for them. That is different than other OS's, like OS X.

That would be a pretty big change according to their current terms of service, but it wouldn't surpise me. Terms of service can always be amended.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/gp/lifepolicy

[Bimwad]

M A V I C wrote:
[quote=Bimwad]I haven't seen anything that suggests that Win 11 will adopt the subscription model, but admittedly, I don't follow MS closely either. Have they said so, or is it just speculation?

MS has said they are going with a subscription model in the near future. They've also said a few other things, and demonstrated some bit of forced upgrade (eg stopping security updates to W8 to force upgrades to 8.1.) I've seen multiple articles where MS was asked if Windows 10 users would be forced to upgrade to a subscription model, and MS has declined to comment. The fact they decline to state rather than flat out say it's not the case, is very telling, IMHO.
OK.

I'm not to worried about it, since it would be on the company's dime anyway. ;-)

[sekker]

M$ honestly doesn't know how they will go. They need everyone on the same version of the OS for developers, but something like 25% of users globally are STILL on XP.

They'd honestly be better off giving away updates once to get everyone synchronised. That's what they are trying to do.

In the future, they are likely going to lose the battle where someone is only renting the OS - the subscription model. Kind of like selling a car whose tires deflate unless you pay GM every year.

But they can probably charge businesses an annual support fee.

Given how much profit they make on each OS install, it should be lifetime support for your initial purchase.