What are your thoughts on the direction of operating systems following Windows?
What are your thoughts on the direction of operating systems following Windows?
Microsoft seems focused on refining existing platforms rather than launching new OSes. The shift appears to be toward stability with current Windows versions, moving away from the NT kernel since 2006. Linux, FreeBSD, or Unix-based systems with compatibility for modern Microsoft devices aren't currently in development.
They're continuing the same approach they've always used, but with fewer features and more complications. It feels like turning the computer into a server terminal, pushing all tasks to the cloud while cutting reliability. They're focusing on paid services, software control, ad income, and collecting personal data. Your future Microsoft OS is just a minimal set of software and drivers—barely enough to connect to a server. That's pretty exciting, right?
I believe Microsoft will keep working on Windows NT while also attempting to merge Linux features. Their kernel development seems focused on enhancing security by restricting certain options, such as preventing changes in TaskMgr and disabling system tamper protection. While this approach may strengthen security, it limits functionality and could make the system behave more like iOS.
I believe nothing shifts significantly. Microsoft discovers through tough experiences that individuals resist radical changes and prefer stable surroundings. Windows Phone, Vista and 8—each time Microsoft introduces too many alterations, users feel let down. Consequently, Windows 10 becomes the final operating system they launch, with subsequent updates resembling previous ones (modifications proceed gradually to allow people time to adjust). I suspect Microsoft is exploring alternative revenue streams beyond selling the operating system, which they have already achieved.
They used Xenix and later sold it to SCO, then shifted attention to Windows. That was unfortunate. It seems they won’t develop a Unix-based platform. The only remaining Unices are AIX, HP-UX, and Solaris, with HP-UX being the most likely to disappear soon. I could tolerate Microsoft acquiring Solaris and combining it with Illumos again, but I doubt Oracle would sell their patents, even if they don’t mind Sun’s assets anymore. I really dislike Oracle. That’s one of the reasons.
macOS is a verified Unix operating system. I've also worked with BSDs; it feels more like Unix than Linux, so it could be considered Unix too.