Microsoft to stop producing Windows versions

[Night Hunter]

                               

 

Windows 10 is going to be the last major revision of the operating system.

Jerry Nixon, a Microsoft development executive, said in a conference speech this week that Windows 10 would be the "last version" of the dominant desktop software.

His comments were echoed by Microsoft which said it would update Windows in future in an "ongoing manner".

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

Mr Nixon made his comments during Microsoft's Ignite conference held in Chicago this week.

In a statement, Microsoft said Mr Nixon's comments reflected a change in the way that it made its software.

"Windows will be delivered as a service bringing new innovations and updates in an ongoing manner," it said, adding that it expected there to be a "long future" for Windows.

'No Windows 11'

The company said it had yet to decide on what to call the operating system beyond Windows 10.

"There will be no Windows 11," warned Steve Kleynhans, a research vice-president at analyst firm Gartner who monitors Microsoft.

He said Microsoft had in the past deliberately avoided using the name "Windows 9" and instead chose Windows 10 as a way to signify a break with a past which involved successive stand-alone versions of the operating system.

However, he said, working in that way had created many problems for Microsoft and its customers.

"Every three years or so Microsoft would sit down and create 'the next great OS'," he said.

                        

                                               Microsoft has developed the HoloLens augmented reality system for use with Windows 10                                                         

"The developers would be locked away and out would pop a product based on what the world wanted three years ago."

Microsoft also had to spend a huge amount of money and marketing muscle to convince people that they needed this new version, and that it was better than anything that had come before, he explained.

Moving to a situation in which Windows is a constantly updated service will break out of this cycle, and let Microsoft tinker more with the software to test new features and see how customers like them, he added.

'Positive step'

Most of the revenue generated by Windows for Microsoft came from sales of new PCs and this was unlikely to be affected by the change, Mr Kleynhans pointed out.

"Overall this is a positive step, but it does have some risks," he said.

"Microsoft will have to work hard to keep generating updates and new features, he said, adding that questions still remained about how corporate customers would adapt to the change and how Microsoft would provide support.

"It doesn't mean that Windows is frozen and will never move forward again," Mr Kleynhans told.

"Indeed we are about to see the opposite, with the speed of Windows updates shifting into high gear."

 

Source http://www.bbc.com/news/

[Vanaraud]

#1 it means there will be yearly subscription as the rumor goes, which will be expensive for consumer, if it will be 99.99$ a year, instead of 8-9years with one time paymeant for winXP, then Win7 then, win10 etc.

#2 even (l)unix based systems have major revisions in 3-4y interval (Ubuntu LTS for instance)

 

So good luck with that, hope Steam will get AAA games going for that time on SteamOS.

[blackknight8653]

What is everyone's opinion if Windows also adopt the subscription model like Microsoft Office? I don't really like them being moved to a subscription model. I agree that it means that you will always have the latest version of the product but I don't like the fact that I have to keep paying for it just to keep using the software. I don't mind subscription model for services like server hosting as it makes sense to have a subscription model to pay for the maintenance cost such as electricity and customer services etc. However, in the case of software products like Windows and Microsoft Office I would still prefer it not being a subscription based model. I don't mind using an older version as in my opinion, not every new versions of the software products suits my taste. Sometimes, I still prefer the older version.

[CruelKind]

I wont pay a subscription, I'll move to Linux

[blackknight8653]

I wont pay a subscription, I'll move to Linux

 

That is an option

[Raskin]

I've never been able to make ET work on Linux worth crap...guess I don't know how.maybe I can just not update windows 7 like I'm doing on my other PC using xp? This sounds like a mcsoft money grab on basic home PC owners to me...

[blackknight8653]

I've never been able to make ET work on Linux worth crap...guess I don't know how.maybe I can just not update windows 7 like I'm doing on my other PC using xp? This sounds like a mcsoft money grab on basic home PC owners to me...

 

I believe it was reported that Windows 10 will be a free upgrade for the first year so most likely it will be in Windows update. Not sure if they will force you to update. If they do, then you might need to exclude that update in Windows update. Based on Microsoft decisions, it seems they are trying to make everyone who are on older versions of Windows to upgrade to Windows 10 so that everyone would have the most up to date Windows Version. This is just a speculation but they might make Windows 10 a recommended update if they want to bring everyone over to Windows 10.

 

It is ok. I do not have experience with linux as well though I did try Ubuntu. Linux might not be the most user friendly operating system for those who are less tech savvy. I suppose most will still adopt the subscription model or stick to their old version of Windows since linux might not be the best alternative for many.

Edited May 10, 2015 by blackknight8653

[Vanaraud]

Btw the subscription option is just a wild rumor and anybody even don´t know who started it.

It comes out theres more info from week ago: http://www.computerworld.com/article/2917799/microsoft-windows/microsoft-fleshes-out-windows-as-a-service-revenue-strategy.html

 

Makes also sense to give the Windows OS license for free so everybody can use Bing and other services to increase revenue on "app market".