Windows pricing future

[Brian Stirling]

So Windows 10 is supposed to be the last version and that from then on there will just be incremental updates -- is this in fact what's planned?

The question has some bearing on how we buy and pay for Windows going forward as the incremental approach smells a lot like Adobe's CC policy and subscription based pricing.

So, is Windows going to subscription based pricing or will it remain a perpetual license with a one time payment? Or will they offer both options?

Finally, with MS now providing a default "reserve" option within Windows Update many of us with older PC's running Win7/8 may wind up with the PC's being updated to Win10 and so far this is being offered for free. However, it appears the Home versions will be automatically updated and it's unclear to me if the free update is free forever. Do we have confirmation that a PC updated to Win10 for free will continue to operate and receive updates for as long as you own the PC?


Brian

 

[SparkyJJO]

As of right now no they are not doing subscription licensing. Once you get that free update, it does remain free for that device. (Retail licenses of 7/8.1 getting the update are still an unknown how that part works.)

Frankly, if MS did a subscription based licensing on their operating system I think it would be not only stupid and I'd never upgrade to something like that, but I think they also know it would be suicide to try doing it as they'd lose a lot of customers.

 

[Brian Stirling]

If Windows 10 is the last version they offer the only money they'd get is when a new license is purchased, usually when a new PC is purchased. In the past when a new version of Windows came out they would charge you to upgrade. And again, the movement to continual incremental updates is just like Adobe with the CC software and that IS subscription based though I guess you can still get older copies of PS CS6 and Lightroom.

I absolutely hate subscription based software but it's pretty clear that most every major software company is either thinking about subscription based or moving to it and with some of MS's offerings already subscription based one has to wonder how long before they largely dump the perpetual model.

So, if the Windows 10 update for existing PC's is in fact free and for the life of the PC, are we certain that you will be eligible for all updates going forward.


Brian

 

[SparkyJJO]

But this is an operating system, not a software package. That's a key difference. To completely disable someone's PC if they don't pay a yearly fee would be suicide.

Besides, MS has already confirmed that Windows 10 is NOT a subscription. You own it for the life of the device, no different than any other version in that sense as far as the OEM copies go. Stands to reason that updates for that version will be included, although keep in mind if the update is some major change that requires a certain level of hardware that your PC does not have it may not work. I could see that happening.

I still don't really totally believe the whole "this is the last version ever" thing anyway.

 

[dbcooper1]

But this is an operating system, not a software package. That's a key difference. To completely disable someone's PC if they don't pay a yearly fee would be suicide.

Yeah, how would that differ from 'ransomware'?

 

[lxskllr]

Yeah, how would that differ from 'ransomware'?

MS doesn't know what they're doing until they do it. I'd take anything, even a direct quote from MS with a grain of salt. It isn't a thing until it happens.

MS would love to go with a subscription, but I highly doubt they'd disable an O/S that's out of date. One way they could encourage people to spend money is charge a smallish amount for an incremental update(let's say $25 per year), but charge more for skipping updates($75 for a two update jump).

 

[RampantAndroid]

If Windows 10 is the last version they offer the only money they'd get is when a new license is purchased, usually when a new PC is purchased.

The store is likely where they want to get money. And new hardware. How many people before the free 8.1 upgrade actually upgraded to a new version of windows? I don't know anyone outside of the group of people who build their own PCs who do upgrades. They get a new version of Windows when they get a new PC.

 

[SparkyJJO]

In case you want an exact wording from MS:
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...ndows-10/5c0b9368-a9e8-4238-b1e4-45f4b7ed2fb9

I heard Microsoft representatives mention they are moving to a servicing model for Windows 10, does that mean Windows 10 is going to require a subscription?

No, Windows 10 remains a perpetual license, which means, you can upgrade to Windows 10 and use it forever without it expiring or going into any reduced functional mode.

 

[Brian Stirling]

OK, I'm feeling a little less uncomfortable about being locked into Win10 but I am damn sure going to wait to see how it performs in the hands of millions before jumping on the update.

There was additional talk about there being two methods of update dependent on which version of Windows you have. As the story goes folks with the higher versions like Pro will be able to chose when to update whereas those with the Home version will be auto updated. Honestly, that doesn't make any sense and forcing millions of people to update at more-or-less the same time would be a support nightmare so I have to believe that story is also wrong.


Brian

 

[RampantAndroid]

OK, I'm feeling a little less uncomfortable about being locked into Win10 but I am damn sure going to wait to see how it performs in the hands of millions before jumping on the update.

There was additional talk about there being two methods of update dependent on which version of Windows you have. As the story goes folks with the higher versions like Pro will be able to chose when to update whereas those with the Home version will be auto updated. Honestly, that doesn't make any sense and forcing millions of people to update at more-or-less the same time would be a support nightmare so I have to believe that story is also wrong.


Brian

Windows Update already has an idea of releasing things slowly. Having everyone up to date is probably a better thing support wise. No asking "what updates did you install?"

 

[SparkyJJO]

OK, I'm feeling a little less uncomfortable about being locked into Win10 but I am damn sure going to wait to see how it performs in the hands of millions before jumping on the update.

There was additional talk about there being two methods of update dependent on which version of Windows you have. As the story goes folks with the higher versions like Pro will be able to chose when to update whereas those with the Home version will be auto updated. Honestly, that doesn't make any sense and forcing millions of people to update at more-or-less the same time would be a support nightmare so I have to believe that story is also wrong.


Brian

Just to clarify, this is Windows Updates in Windows 10. It is not going to force Windows 10 onto Windows 7/8.1 Home users.

 

[WildW]

Seeing how free updates for the life of the PC works in practice is going to be interesting. I expect many of our PCs are a bit ship-of-Theseus and go on forever changing one component at a time. I know they usually tie it to the motherboard, but in practice I've been moving both retail and OEM Windows licences between motherboards for years without issue.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Re the "free update" to Win 10:

If you have a "retail" version of 7 or 8.1, you will allegedly be upgraded to a "retail" version of 10 and retain the right to transfer to a new motherboard as many times as you want in the future, just as you now can with a retail 7 or 8.1 license. As long as it's "once machine at a time".

I say "allegedly" because this allegation regarding retail status (as of 24 hours ago) was from a Microsoft MVP "Community Manager", NOT from a high-ranking Microsoft employee. So, I'd wait for that to be certain and probably even wait till the release to find out if ti works that way in practice.

As regards Windows 10 "updates" after you have it installed:

As I understand it, Win 10 Home will have no control over when and which updates are installed.

Win 10 Pro users will have some degree of control over the "when" to conform to a schedule or to wait to be certain that updates are not problematic, but cannot totally refuse an update forever. At some point, even Pro users will have to accept all updates.

The pertinent feature is called "Windows Update For Business" and it is not found in Win 10 Home.

Windows Update for Business will provide:

• Distribution rings, where the IT Pro can specify which devices go first in an update wave, and which ones will come later (to ensure any quality kinks are worked out).
• Maintenance windows, where the IT Pro can specify the critical timeframes when updates should and should not occur.
• Peer to peer delivery, which IT can enable to make delivery of updates to branch offices and remote sites with limited bandwidth very efficient.
• Integration with your existing tools like System Center and the Enterprise Mobility Suite – so that these tools can continue to be that ‘single pane of glass’ for all of your systems management.


That's the way I understand it now, subject to change of course.

I'm thinking many Win 7 Home Premium users will want to upgrade to Win 10 Professional to retain some control over updates. I think you can do that with a "Pro Pack" for $99.

 

[postmortemIA]

upgrade to pro from home was always a ripoff.