Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
AS FAR AS releases go for Microsoft, Windows 10 has been highly anticipated. One that is not only learning from the mistakes of previous releases (we’re looking at you, Windows 8), but is attempting to span all devices like your PC, tablet, smartphone and future devices like the HoloLens, making it a universal OS.
Yet what may come across as surprising is the announcement that Windows 10 will be the last major release of Microsoft’s OS.
One of its employees, developer evangelist Jerry Nixon, said at Microsoft’s Ignite conference in Chicago that “right now, we’re releasing Windows 10, and because Windows 10 is the last version of Windows, we’re all still working on Windows 10.”
That doesn’t mean that Windows will be killed off for good anytime soon. It means instead of major releases like Windows 10 happening from now on, updates would be smaller and more frequent, indicating a shift of priorities for Microsoft.
The reason Microsoft give for this is they want to deliver Windows as a service, rather than a product. Instead of having to make one major update, individual sections like the start menu, apps, and settings can be updated independently of Microsoft’s core section.
This is highlighted by a statement from the company to the Verge.
Recent comments at Ignite about Windows 10 are reflective of the way Windows will be delivered as a service, bringing new innovations and updates in an ongoing manner, with continuous value for our consumer and business customers.
It means making changes will (theoretically) be easier since one adjustment won’t affect the entire system, but it is ambitious considering the different types of devices that will run it.
How frequent the updates will be isn’t clear yet. It could possibly be similar to Mac OS X where updates happen every so often or it could be like Chrome or apps where small updates happen reguarly without anyone noticing.
Ultimately, it means the likelihood of you seeing a Windows 11 or Windows 12 (if Microsoft wanted to follow the same jump from Windows 8 to 12) certainly isn’t going to happen anytime soon.
Much like browsers and apps, it’s unlikely that people won’t care what version or edition software is at this point so long as it works. And maybe we’ll hit a point where it will just be known as Windows, dropping the 10 entirely.
For now, the focus is on Windows 10 being released. The desktop version will arrive this summer while the smartphone version of Windows 10 will be released at a later date.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Does Windows-as-a-service imply a subscription model for windows? If so, I’m out.
Yes. This is exactly what this is all about. Paying a monthly or yearly sub to use windows.
No thanks, I’ll be sticking with 7.
Linux use is going to go through the roof.
No, it doesn’t. Microsoft have confirmed that Windows 10 will not be subscription based and if you’re a current Windows 7 or 8 user, you have a window of 1 year in which you can upgrade to Windows 10 for free. After that year period, if you didn’t upgrade it’ll cost you a one time cost to upgrade.
I’ve been using Windows 10 for the last month, it’s pretty good. It’s definitely an evolution from Windows 8 rather than the move from Win 7 to Win 8 but it’s much better put together, though some system configuration has to be done in windowed metro style panels which I don’t like but I’ll get over that with a bit of time.
Isn’t Windows 10 going to be free?
“Development evangelist” is a job title, jesus wept. I bet everytime he opens his mouth he uses the word “passionate”
and words like ‘value add’ , ‘gotta get our heads in the space’ , ‘easy wins’ , ‘low hanging fruit’
From the article “Ultimately, it means the likelihood of you seeing a Windows 11 or Windows 12 (if Microsoft wanted to follow the same jump from Windows 8 to 10)”
Microsoft HAD to skip using the name ‘Windows 9′ due to legacy software issues. There would be no such issue going from 10 to 11, if they decided to make a Windows 11. Hopefully they’ll stick to updates only instead of new Windows versions.
They might turn it into a subscription model like adobe products? :-(
That’s what I was thinking too, but updating an Adobe product through CC would surely be more lightweight than a whole OS. Even if it’s only certain elements of the OS, it could get very tedious. I’m already sick of seeing “Windows needs to install updates” every second time I use my PC!
20 quid a month for Creative Cloud is waaaaaaaaaaay better value than shelling out 4k every couple of years.
It’s for your own security to be fair
I don’t think it will become a subscription service, rather they hope to make money through the Windows app store that will play an important part in the new OS.
It will be a subscription model in the future just like the OFFICE365 model, which is excellent. You’ll always be using the latest version through your updates.
It won’t be a subscription model.
They make most of their money from OEM licenses.
That’ll still be the case with windows as a service. OEM’s will still have to pay a license every time they make a new computer or laptop.
And commercial users. Windows 10 Enterprise won’t be free
So like ChromeOS. Original thinking is great. Well done Google. Lol!
God Windows is so bad I doubt any evangelicast uses it!!!
With continnum, developer apps for porting iOS and android, and a shared OS across phone, tablet and desktop I can really see windows make a comeback.
Yadda yadda yadda … until the next one. The Journal are really running this story to death, too.
It was just an engineer being stupid and plying for PR.
This is like Mac OSX, OSX (Ten) has been released in its first form over 10 years ago when OS9 died. Since then there have been incremental updates (i.e 10.10 is the latest) and since 10.9 these updates have been free.
Same model on iOS as well
have your say