Microsoft to stop producing Windows versions

carwiz · 08 May 2015

It will most likely be that nothing can be installed except through the "store" or subscription updates. This means MS and developers will nickel and dime owners of PCs for every little utility like they do smart phones. There will only be a few places that distribute all software so you'll be locked in. MS has already tanked most XP links and the tech info for W7 is now member only through your MS Account. It won't be long that all access to MS will be through your account. No account, no OS. If you don't pay the fee all they have to do is pull the plug on your account and you own an electric brick.

groze · 08 May 2015

carwiz said:

It will most likely be that nothing can be installed except through the "store" or subscription updates. This means MS and developers will nickel and dime owners of PCs for every little utility like they do smart phones. There will only be a few places that distribute all software so you'll be locked in. MS has already tanked most XP links and the tech info for W7 is now member only through your MS Account. It won't be long that all access to MS will be through your account. No account, no OS. If you don't pay the fee all they have to do is pull the plug on your account and you own an electric brick.

Carwiz,

I don't think that would happen at all. Google wouldn't like it. Mozilla wouldn't like, Free software foundation wouldn't like. Virus protection software companies wouldn't like it. Mozilla & Free Software foundation would actually do something about this. Mozilla has in the past. I wouldn't be surprised if other companies would also do something about this.

You can still access some tech info windows 7 without signing in. Tip, don't use I.E. when accessing tech info for widows 7.

carwiz · 08 May 2015

MS could care less. It's a way to control the quality of software that will run on Windows. There could still be free software. It would have to meet standards just like smart phone aps. (Except like Google-Play) The methodology is already in place and will start July 1st. That's when MS will raise the standard for web pages in IE. It's suppose to block corrupt or confusing page links. Like what you see on "not so friendly" software sites. It will also ~~include~~ <block> advertisements that are designed to confuse the reader <by getting the reader to click a link or load a script>.

andrew129260 · 09 May 2015

groze said:

carwiz said:

It will most likely be that nothing can be installed except through the "store" or subscription updates. This means MS and developers will nickel and dime owners of PCs for every little utility like they do smart phones. There will only be a few places that distribute all software so you'll be locked in. MS has already tanked most XP links and the tech info for W7 is now member only through your MS Account. It won't be long that all access to MS will be through your account. No account, no OS. If you don't pay the fee all they have to do is pull the plug on your account and you own an electric brick.

Carwiz,

I don't think that would happen at all. Google wouldn't like it. Mozilla wouldn't like, Free software foundation wouldn't like. Virus protection software companies wouldn't like it. Mozilla & Free Software foundation would actually do something about this. Mozilla has in the past. I wouldn't be surprised if other companies would also do something about this.

You can still access some tech info windows 7 without signing in. Tip, don't use I.E. when accessing tech info for widows 7.

That's just it, none of that would matter with a locked in app store. Microsoft would not give a crap what those other companies out there would like or not. They are creating a ecosystem. They are even tying there xbox platform into it. If the other companies do not like it, oh well. Microsoft has the user locked in and will steer them towards there services and offerings. The average user would not notice or care. Firefox is in trouble. They have firefox OS, but no one is going to care except geeks. It now comes down to this: Your operating system is going to dictate your browser, account, apps etc. Look at what Google is doing. They could care less about windows. They have there own ecosystem with Android and Chrome OS. Everything is becoming an eco system to lock you into that company so they can milk and dime you and get your personal information and sell it to advertisers and feed you more junk and keep you locked in. That is where this computer generation is going.

Heck even PC gamers are locked into steam. Guess what steam is doing? Steam OS. An operating system that is literally just steam and a web browser basically. It is all about locking the customer into a platform/ecosystem, because if you do that you get more money and information out of them.

carwiz said:

MS could care less. It's a way to control the quality of software that will run on Windows. There could still be free software. It would have to meet standards just like smart phone aps. (Except like Google-Play) The methodology is already in place and will start July 1st. That's when MS will raise the standard for web pages in IE. It's suppose to block corrupt or confusing page links. Like what you see on "not so friendly" software sites. It will also include advertisements that are designed to confuse the reader.

That is the whole point actually. Microsoft wants to be an even more closed operating system for multiple reasons:

-Malware is a lot harder to infect machines when the only way to install software is through an official store.
-Updates and apps are tightly monitored, making sure Microsoft can keep windows quality at a higher level then before.
-They can then start subscriptions with windows where every device gets free updates provided your a member. They will probably throw in office and other goodies to increase the "value".

I do not like this one bit, as windows is going to be a platform where it will be closed like apple. I understand the malware aspect, and honestly that part is great. But things are defiantly going downhill from here.

Microsoft at first with windows 10 will be fine, but gradually they will cut your freedom with windows until they have you locked in tight. This is why I still like Android, it has that lock in for the average user, but anyone with a little knowledge can sideload apps and do crazy awesome things and not even need a google account. Not even touch google at all if desired. Maybe/hopefully windows could take this strategy. Main app store up front in average users faces, people with more knowledge can sideload apps or do more advanced tasks.

Linux, here I come. After 7 support ends, I am most likely going zorin only. Problem is, most distros still are not up to snuff yet with everything I do. Mostly everything works fine, but some things are going to be hard to adjust to. Plus I do like windows, just not the direction it is going.

Also, a lot of companies are even exploring options to get away from windows. A lot of companies are now deploying windows servers and using citrix with dummy terminals to save on licensing so they do not need to buy windows PC's any more. They buy dummy linux terminals, hook them up with citrix to windows servers and voila. User does not notice much of a difference and the companies IT department can shrink saving the company money. Now instead of a desktop team all you need is a server team. There are no longer specific problems with just one computer where someone needs to go out to fix it.

In all honesty, it is a little scary to be in IT right now. Many things are changing so rapidly I am afraid I am going to miss something and kiss my job goodbye. Windows is no longer the main forefront. One now needs to learn a lot about other platforms.

groze · 09 May 2015

I do not think Microsoft would be moving to a more closed system that would be to extreme. In fact, they had the a meeting where most of the audience didn't use windows at all. There actually are going to be moving to open source more because of this meeting according to the article I read.

Yes, I think Microsoft would pay attention if the companies & organization sued them. I am not saying they would be it is a possibility. Mozilla almost did again but came to an agreement with Microsoft. In the U.S. and Europe I am sure the governments would take some type of action and they would be on the fast track to prevent some of this from happening. With windows as a service, not sure under U.S. law if they would be FTC or FCC jurisdiction or Department of Justice. FCC would slow it down or stop it like they did Comcast.

scr · 09 May 2015

Andrew,

What you have said tends to run a chill up my back. None of this sounds very good for anyone, except MS of course. It would seem that the days of the PC being something with a choice are coming to a slow death. Kind of reminds me of the old show that started with "we will control the horizontal, we will control the vertical, we will control everything you see and hear" I believe it was "Outer Limits" back in the 60's.

I just ordered a new system with Win7 pro and will pass this one to my wife to replace the 13 year old XP she is using. In as much as I will be 75 when when win7 EOL comes around I doubt seriously that I will be purchasing any more computers. If both these systems are still running, which I have no reason to doubt they will, I'll just risk the possibility of what ever nasty the bad guys throw at me. Of course this dependent on if I'm still running.

Then again maybe something will come along that will fill the giant hole MS will leave in the wake of their path to "MS or nothing" business model. My most sincere hope is that Linux seizes the opurtunity.

groze · 09 May 2015

Scr,

It is the retailers, OEMs, & printer manufactures that needs to change. I see Ubuntu and Ubuntu derivatives as the easiest to use and is real close Windows 10. We also need to get some cheap low end machine at walmart or other national chains that have computer with Ubuntu that is pre-installed. This is the only way Linux could take over. I find Ubuntu and it derivatives real easy to use and best for novices. After initial setup, you don't see the sudo prompt to often. I do change the read permission on my home folder, to read & write just for me not for others.

carwiz · 09 May 2015

The single source software precedence has already been set by Apple and Linux. Linux has a one man approval scheme for software so what's the difference if MS controls what's run on their OS?

Linux is nothing like Windows unless you add a pot-load of utilities and add-ons from some place that sounds like a metro coffee shop or discothèque. (Or some such chic named place.) There are so many different variations of Linux the average PC user would have no idea where to start; Except maybe go to programming school and learn a new language. And that's why it will never be a mainstream OS--At least for Personal Computers.

Lady Fitzgerald · 09 May 2015

carwiz said:

The single source software precedence has already been set by Apple and Linux. Linux has a one man approval scheme for software so what's the difference if MS controls what's run on their OS?...

The difference is not all people want an OS that controls what's run on it. It's one reason why Windows has enjoyed far more popularity than Apple. Windows has a huge wealth of software to pretty much anyone's needs, no matter how odd or obscure, far more so than Apple does (with the exception of smart phones and tablets). Now M$ is heading on a path of taking away our ability to choose as freely as we want, something most users will find repugnant because it will take away something we already have.

whs · 09 May 2015

LF, you are so right. The direction MS is taking really worries me. It is important now to look at alternatives - and if it is only for peace of mind. As we say in German: "Other mothers have pretty daughters too".