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.
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.
