Mystery file in preview build hints at Windows 10 subscriptions

Winuser · 30 Jun 2016

swarfega said:

I sure won't be paying for updates.

If MS decides to go this way it will be for upgrades and not updates. I do remember that at least once MS did charge for a update. It came on a cd.

Winuser · 30 Jun 2016

ARC1020 said:

the last thing Microsoft will want to do is have people running for the hills by making them subscribe to use the OS (and they will run, myself included, as I won't use subscription software).

I'm sure if MS decided to go that route there would be a few that would run for the Hills(older version of Windows, Linux or Apple) There would also be a few that would be OK with it. The largest majority of Windows 10 users would probably just complain about it but continue to use Windows 10.

Wynona · 30 Jun 2016

Winuser said:

I'm sure if MS decided to go that route there would be a few that would run for the Hills(older version of Windows, Linux or Apple) There would also be a few that would be OK with it. The largest majority of Windows 10 users would probably just complain about it but continue to use Windows 10.

You might be surprised as to just how many would run for the hills. I would be the one passing Arc up, going after some form of Linux.. It's one thing to subscribe to Office 365 that allows installation on five computers and quite another to subscribe to an OS that I'd be required to pay a forever ongoing fee for each computer it was installed on. Even at $10 per month, that would be $120 per year for every computer I own. So, yeah, I think quite a lot of folks would run for the hills.

For businesses, it would be the cost of doing business, but for me, as an individual using my computer to do volunteer work that I don't get paid for, it would make the difference of whether I could continue volunteering or not.

Trust_No1 · 30 Jun 2016

Wynona said:

Neither will I, but at some point, I think Microsoft may be forced to charge for major upgrades.

I am curious as to why people think Microsoft would need to charge anything for their OS.

If they are making phones, making tablets, charging for licensing to Corporations, (don't know about OEM), making X-box, have an app store, and trying to push gaming into app installs only, plus they sell your info to vendors. Why would they need to charge anything for software or upgrades?

Apple you buy the OS once and can upgrade forever. And their OS is only $19.99 US, so I see absolutely no reason to charge anything for Windows 10, except maybe a nominal fee.

Geneo · 01 Jul 2016

For those who think M$ wouldn't do this and it doesn't make sense, don't forget they want to charge you a subscription for solitaire. Does that make sense?

BunnyJ · 01 Jul 2016

Charging for a game is one thing and for an entire OS upgrade is quite another thing. A game is an optional thing that one doesn't need to make the OS work and there are other games available for free. Charging for upgrades to 10 would be stupid on MS's part. I don't know what I would do if they did start to charge but switching to Mint would be a viable option for me.

But having said that.. it's just one file and there is no way to really say what it's for.

Keep calm and carry on..

cereberus · 01 Jul 2016

This is really a non story - it is only about enterprise and people are just adding two and two making five, then re-engaging in discussion held a year ago. Just typical press conspiracy theory garbage.

BunnyJ · 01 Jul 2016

cereberus said:

This is really a non story - it is only about enterprise and people are just adding two and two making five, then re-engaging in discussion held a year ago. Just typical press conspiracy theory garbage.

+1000000 It says that it's Enterprise in the OP and not the consumer editions.

Mystery file in preview build hints at Windows 10 subscriptions-capture.png

alphanumeric · 01 Jul 2016

You can upgrade from Pro to Enterprise or Education with a simple "change product key". Just like you can upgrade from Home to Pro with a key change. I just did an edition upgrade from Pro to Education on my desktop PC, completely offline, no internet connection. All the files were there for the upgrade. I didn't have to mount an ISO of supply any install media. The extra features are unlocked with the product code change. So it shouldn't be a big surprise if some Enterprise files etc are there in Pro, just in case they are needed.

simrick · 01 Jul 2016

My guess is they'll look to provide WaaS, and perhaps charge for "features" in the future.