After Windows10, consumers won't pay for updates or upgra

Kari said:

I like to way Windows has evolved, where it seems to be going. I am quite sure that if Microsoft one day started to offer a subscription based Windows I would be if not the first to sign up, at least one of those users to sign up the first day possible.

Personally I find nothing negative in a system where I pay for a subscription which gives me the latest upgrades the day they are released. I am an Office 365 user and fan already and I have to say I really like it and the subscription based way I get it.

I think that is what would make it work. Assuming your hardware can handle the upgrades. If your monthly fee got you each new version when it came out, that could end up being cheaper than paying a lump sum for each new version. Assuming they keep with the rapid release cycle. With the 2 or 3 year cycle, or longer, between releases, lump sum could be cheaper. Especially if you skip an OS or two.

Kari said:

Personally I find nothing negative in a system where I pay for a subscription which gives me the latest upgrades the day they are released. I am an Office 365 user and fan already and I have to say I really like it and the subscription based way I get it.

The trouble is that updates often break stuff.

I updated Pale Moon to version 25 (a couple of days ago) and it broke some add-ons and Google Image Search!

jimbo45 said:

Hi there

Actually doing that for the OS would be a disaster --you'd re-create the "XP" scenario all over again -- 100,000's of computers / tablets etc etc all where people keep them for a long time without bothering to update ("If it works .....").

I can see (although I personally don't like the model) subscriptions for APPLICATION Software like Office - but for the OS itself -- no thanks. I really would like to see updates handled a bit better with the ability to download and install OFF LINE so if you have to re-install Windows you don't need to re-download 1001 updates again (especially if you have several machines).

Cheers
jimbo

How would it make it any worse than it is now? I don't get your logic?

The one big gotcha that I see with the subscription option is that at some point your hardware isn't going to support the new features/OS. What then? Do you keep paying so you can continue using Windows? Even though it won't receive any more updates? What happens if you end the subscription for that device, will that Windows still be usable or will it be non functional? The OEM's will be wanting you to buy a new device. What are you going to do with the old one? Who's going to buy that?

dougout said:

While we are on the topic of the cost of Windows, it seems to me that this whole Windows 10 business is about Microsoft making money.

We all know that businesses exist to produce products or services and as a USA guy I see this as a good thing as the consumer can use the product or not.

But so far Windows 10 is simply Windows 8.1 with a Start Menu. From what I have read this was originally going to be Windows 8.2 which was a move to satisfy the 2/3 of Windows users who do not like the Metro thing.

It appears that Microsoft decided that they can call the version with the Start Menu Windows 10 and make a great deal of money on it. If they had added the Start Menu to Windows 8 far fewer people would be interested in upgrading to Windows 10.

It's not a finished product. More features are likely to be added and more changes made. Hopefully based on customer feedback, not what they think we want? The final product could be a lot different than what it is now.