[OP]
Contributor
Remember that time Microsoft said Windows 10 would be the last release ever, and that it would be our forever operating system, and it will always just get updated, and it will be around forever and ever and ever as our most special operating system ever?
What they ACTUALLY meant to say is that it will follow the same exact cycle as every other version of Windows.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/lifecycle
As usual, they're winging it and making it up as they go along.
Contributor
I must admit that I've never seen where Microsoft said that Windows 10 would be the last version of windows ever. Windows 10 is the first time, at least that I can find, that MS has said from the outset how long they will be supporting it. Until now, they were "winging it".
Grant
Ottawa ON
Guest
I had thought MS said that Win10 was going to be the last version that followed the conventional product cycle of Windows releases.
Next-up is going to be some form of Windows 365, as I understand it, which will be a subscription-based product. Maybe they will charge for it, maybe they will offer it up free as the base to install other MS apps for which they can charge a license fee.
[OP]
Contributor
They've said multiple times that Windows 10 would be the last Windows release, and that it would be supported for the lifetime of whatever product it's installed on. What they're saying now is that it will simply follow the same exact schedule as the other Windows releases. It's completely different, and they've done it very quietly. I guess they've decided that everyone's product lifetime is 5 years (10 years for security fixes, but 5 years ends the active development). It's a complete 180 from their previous comments.
Everyone had taken it at face value and assumed that Windows 10 would be continuously updated for the foreseeable future, and that would be that. I'm surprised it hasn't made bigger news, but I'm sure it will once everyone picks up on it. I just happened to see it browsing around.
Grant:
The last several versions of Windows have all followed the same cycle. 5 years mainstream support, 10 years extended support. Windows XP went longer, but that's only because Windows Vista was such a piece of junk that they had no choice. They've been consistent for a good while now, which is what makes this all the more baffling. They made such a big deal about NOT following this cycle, but now they're following this cycle. Very confusing and it makes me wonder if they've realized that Windows 10 will have major problems and will need to be replaced. Until they explain themselves, I think they're going to look very very bad.
So really the only change in the upgrade/product lifecycle arena is that updates are now automatic unless you're a pro or enterprise user...and then they're still mandatory to continue getting support, but you can defer them for a bit. Everything else stays the same. All of that talk about "Windows as a service", "Makes no sense to talk about which version you're on anymore", etc is all just nonsense and code speak for "updates are mandatory".
Last edited by John Coloccia; 07-22-2015 at 9:46 AM.
Member
I saw a Windows 10 commercial last night that showed various shots of toddlers playing and the narrator was saying stuff like these kids will grow up in a world of Windows 10, the world of the forever operating system (or something to that effect). Now this? No wonder everyone is confused. Come on Microsoft, make up your mind!
Larry J Browning
There are 10 kinds of people in this world; Those who understand binary and those who don't.
Contributor
Microsoft would still be supporting Windows 10 at the dawn of the next century if they really planned to support until the last system quit running it. I know companies that will warehouse old hardware to keep old systems running indefinitely. The cost to move to new software is too expensive. In some cases there are computers that run expensive machinery. The manufacturer of the machinery won't support replacing the computers that run the machinery. You have to replace the machinery if you replace the computers running it. The problem is the machinery may have a 20 to 30 years expected lifetime while most computers will not last that long before being obsolete. Manufacturers of machinery should have plans to keep the supporting computers upgraded through the 20 or 30 year lifespan of the machinery, but many do not.
There are plenty of companies that would still be running Windows 2000 or Windows XP if Microsoft was still supporting it.
Contributor
Originally Posted by Larry Browning
Kids grow up so fast these days....
Guest
This commercial?
https://youtu.be/Gu6vmNz-PhE
I don't think they say it will be a forever O/S.
Microsoft is switching to "Windows as a service," they never said they'd support Windows 10 forever (how would anyone think they could do that?), I think people just misunderstood that Windows is going to be sold like Office 365, as a service (in other words, a subscription).
Last edited by Phil Thien; 07-22-2015 at 4:24 PM.
Contributor
If Microsoft starts charging a yearly fee for Windows a lot of home users are going to jump ship. Large businesses are already paying hefty fees for support and licensing of Windows to Microsoft so it probably won't affect them so much. Businesses also have a lot large installed base of Windows applications that could not easily be replaced.
Guest
I concur. Lots of small business users will look for other solutions, too.
The question is, will Microsoft require a monthly fee for Windows "as a service." I've heard no, but I expect (at some point) yes.
Which would beg the question, if people aren't going to be willing to pay a monthly fee to use Windows, what will they use instead?
I'm not sure this is a brilliant move on Microsoft's part.
Contributor
Well, one thing is certain - Microsoft will do whatever they decide to do, whether I like it or not.
But if I have to start paying a subscription, that will be enough for me to consider switching to a Mac. Or I might investigate the feasibility of using a unix-based operating system (Linux, etc) plus Open Office for the things I do. Those options won't necessarily work for industrial users, but one of them might be a viable alternative for my personal use.
Guess we'll see what happens, huh?
Member
A subscription based operating system sound crazy now, but if Microsoft bundles the OS with Office it will sake some of the sting out of the idea of a periodic payout. If this new OS makes the desktop PC more of an internet terminal that does most of the booting from the internet with greatly reduced malware problems, I can see it catching on.
John
Member
I guess when the guy said "They'll grow up with windows 10" I heard forever implied. Man, I am a Windows guy through and through, but I really HATE the idea of a subscription. I will give serious thought to switching to a Mac or even Linux if the make that switch. We are on Office 365 at work and I HATE it compared to Office 2010!
literally 95% or more of that is completely useless to me. What a total PITA it is. Glad I'm not paying for it!
Last edited by Larry Browning; 07-22-2015 at 11:08 PM.
Larry J Browning
There are 10 kinds of people in this world; Those who understand binary and those who don't.
Member
I will be retiring in a year or so and I may start looking at a Chromebook. It's got the web and email. what else will I need in my golden years? Oh, one thing, I promised Dave Richards I would learn to use Sketchup after I retired. I bet that won't run on a Chromebook!
Larry J Browning
There are 10 kinds of people in this world; Those who understand binary and those who don't.
Contributor
For home and small business users, I wouldn't be surprised to see preinstalled Windows be supported free for a certain period, perhaps 3-4 years. Beyond that 'useful life' a user would have to pay a fee for support to continue. Do you think HP, Dell, Lenovo et. al. would be upset with that arrangement? It's cheaper to buy a new machine with its free support rather than to pay for continuing support on older but functional hardware?
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