Achieve 7 or higher on 8.1 or 10.
Achieve 7 or higher on 8.1 or 10.
Consider that Windows 7 ends support in 2020. It also doesn’t officially back newer hardware, which essentially means Microsoft is warning users not to anticipate updates for Windows 7. They’ve emphasized that Windows 10 is the final release. I’m convinced they’re moving toward continuous updates. This approach forces users to stay current by discontinuing support for older versions of 10, a strategy they’ve already implemented. Keep in mind, Microsoft has shifted from being just a software company. The new CEO is steering them into different areas like advertising, cloud services, and hardware. They also run the Windows App Store, even with limited usage—some people still purchase items there. They gather data from Windows 10 to target ads more effectively. There are many ways they aim to generate revenue. They’ve shown they’re indifferent about users sticking with Windows 10, allowing it to run unactivated indefinitely. Previously, each version came with a 30-day trial period. I doubt there will be another significant Windows release. The only major updates they seem focused on are for their server OS products.
RIP MS, it seems these shifts aren’t sustainable, especially with privacy concerns online. Where do you typically purchase games, software, and other items? Who are you confident sharing your data through communications? Most likely, platforms like Steam, Amazon, and Google are involved. MS appears to be attempting involvement in all three, though their efforts with Google’s email client and Bing fell short—Bing’s only advantage is its visuals. Is version 10 the final operating system? If this marks the end of an era, Windows 7 remains the closest successor to XP in sales. Windows 10’s market share stems mainly from being free. According to Wikipedia, Windows XP sold over a billion units; Vista had around 400 million used copies (not sold), and 7.65 billion two years prior before they ceased production. About 8 out of 10.1 million units were sold, with only 600 million reported as used. The poor design of Windows 8, which I experienced firsthand through insiders, was a major factor in its decline. The fact that it’s being offered free raises concerns—it feels like a setup for future adware. I’ve turned off location tracking (the least I can do without risking my data), disabled background programs (most of them), and enabled automatic updates (due to issues with third-party software). I’m open to turning it off again if something bothers me. I don’t fear Linux—I’m in favor of it. If MS truly follows this path, I hope Apple and Linux continue to grow. We’ll find out once they release updated end-of-life information after the next major upgrade, or if they stop supporting Windows entirely. Dell’s move toward Ubuntu has been sound for nearly a decade now.
They used to be a software company but are now offering services. Windows and Office aren't their main focus anymore. Most folks now handle tasks on phones and tablets. Microsoft understands they need to spread their revenue streams. They'll make it work. If Windows does, that's another matter. The truth is, Microsoft can't keep demanding large sums for their operating system. Why? Because Apple gives away their OS when buying hardware, and Google earns money through the App store—similar to how iOS functions. Linux is open-source but requires support fees, which helps companies like Canonical stay afloat with Ubuntu. Microsoft is adapting by expanding into areas like Xbox, Surface tablets, cloud services, Bing, games, and more.
The main concern is missing windows means no app store; updates are solid even if Windows were free, but users would quickly move to Linux or Apple because of bloat and privacy issues at first. Linus launched How to Game on Linux six years too late for me, though it’s a great timing for others. People no longer use their operating systems on phones anymore—Nokia is essentially gone and now just makes phones. Without a strong OS, they can’t dominate unless they launch something amazing. BBM was a passing trend, so Microsoft’s products would be similar. They might need to lower phone prices to risk losing profits just to retain market share, but Alcatel is a decent brand, affordable yet reliable.
For Xbox, I’m unsure if Microsoft is making money from the hardware itself. Revenue likely comes from games and fees, but the systems are now lagging behind computers by two generations. The biggest shift for Microsoft would be to stop relying on Windows every five years, cut back, reorganize, and maybe adopt a new gaming platform like Nvidia Shield. That could position Windows as the only relevant OS for businesses soon. It’s better to wait a couple of years and watch what happens, while speculating on the future. For Microsoft, the ideal move would be to exit Xbox and build a gaming system similar to Nvidia Shield—soon it might be the only choice for Windows users outside the business sector.