Submitted 7 months ago by billiam0202@lemmy.world to technology@lemmy.world
https://www.pcmag.com/news/windows-12-may-require-a-subscription
[A]n INI configuration file in the Windows Canary channel, discovered by German website Deskmodder, includes references to a “Subscription Edition,” “Subscription Type,” and a “subscription status.”
I’m looking forward to the Year of the Linux desktop ™️
Right now, my Windows 10 installation is pretty bloatless and is easily revertable when an update wants to change things. However I’m definitely looking for a more mainstream Linux solution because I know these times won’t last.
Check out Endeavor OS. I’ve been using it for about 3 months now as a full replacement to my old windows 11 set up… everything I’ve needed it to do, with the exception of a few games has worked either right out of box or with minor tweaks. The forums are active and the Arch Wiki has answers to nearly every question you may have about the backbone of the OS. System updates are incredibly easy and are done on your schedule, not Microsoft’s.
I’ve got a windows 10 PC that I built as a gaming computer like 10 years ago. To be honest it spends a lot of time turned off because Linux has become much better for gaming using Proton.
However sometimes it is really useful to have a windows computer around. Being able to use Visual Studio for C# and C++ projects is particularly good given how much scaffolding their frameworks give you. Still, if I end up having the system being forcibly upgraded or when it leaves LTS it will probably end up being sold for spare parts.
We would need large companies and developers to start making their applications for linux and right now thats very hard because linux has 2500 different package managers and no one wants to maintain version of their apps for even the top 5 linux packaging methods, so unless that changes they will continue to make windows/mac only apps
It’s the decade of the Linux desktop over here.
Been and gone for me.
Actually, yeah, that’s a cool way to look at this. Imagine everything getting support over night. The only reason I don’t use Linux is because a ton of the things I do on a computer require windows.
Cries in having to use office 365
I had to do a video call with Teams and it worked in browser pretty well
I assumed that was all possible in their browser web app these days
it may actually come now if this happens
Literally can’t happen. It’s amazing how little Linux die-hards know about Linux.
Remember when Microsoft said that Windows 10 would be the last edition?
In effect, it will be for some people fed up with all this bullshit.
As someone who switched to Linux primarily because of Windows 11’s never ending BS (bugs, resource mismanagement, etc) and the inevitably end of Windows 10, I can confirm that Windows 10 will be my last.
It was for me. 11 was the reason why I switched to Linux.
They’re not wrong. It’ll be the last Windows for me.
tbh, it was Jerry Nixon who said that, a developer for microsoft, not the company itself. the media just ran with it.
Yeah it’s crazy how often it gets quoted as fact. I mean, just think about it from a logical standpoint, why would a profit-driven software development company just stop making new versions of one of their main money makers?
I don’t believe for one bit that windows will move to a pure subscription based model. They are greedy, but not stupid.
What’s more likely is that the base OS will be the same as usual, but if you want fancy AI assistants in your OS, you must subscribe, with the justification being that MS must pay for the servers running the models you’re using.
Yeah this sounds like the most reasonable outcome but companies have been surprising me recently with how dumb they can be.
They are greedy, but not stupid
The difference between greedy and stupid grows smaller every time the shareholders demand a profit. The only proof you need of that is tracking the OS development from win7 to win11.
The logic “We know you guys pay $120 for a license but here’s ads on your lockscreen” was called stupid 10 years ago.
Then, “We know you guys pay $120 for a license and deal with forced updates and lockscreen ads, but here’s a framework for ads in your file explorer” was called stupid a few years ago.
Now here we are listening to them say, “We know you guys pay for a license and deal with ads all over everything you’re doing with mandatory updates and setting reversion when we don’t like what you’re doing, but we’re also gonna charge you $10/month indefinitely” and saying to ourselves that they can’t be that stupid.
The reality is that there’s no reason to push a new version of windows that doesn’t make them more money. This is that.
What’s more believable is that the base OS will be the same as usual, but if you want fancy AI assistants in your OS, you must subscribe
So I can pay less and have less of their bullshit on my system? Sounds like a great deal
Which would be valid
I agree, corpo world is already 100% in subscription mode and consumers buy windows through OEM. If you buy OEM laptop, how would you sell subscription windows with it? I see it as a no go, it would force OEM laptops to be sold with Linux.
If you buy OEM laptop, how would you sell subscription windows with it?
“SomeShittyAntivirus free for 12 months with purchase of this laptop!”
s/SomeShittyAntivirus/Windows/g
The article addresses literally all of your points. Installing windows would be free for oems so it’s actually good for them, and MS would probably offer a free tier with ads for end users who don’t want to pay.
To me that’s completely believable and sounds exactly like something MS would do.
My guess is that MS will figure out a different approach. Maybe the enterprise versions are behind a subscription while the consumer version stays the way it currently is. They could also take the Apple approach. Offer a little bit of something for free (like iCloud) and charge if you want more of it. There could also be specific features that are not available if you don’t pay (like Apple Music). MS could offer a certain part of consumer windows for free, and charge for some other part, like advanced settings.
It could be for their cloud based OS
Kind of funny to me how the role of operating system has evolved.
We’ve gone from “low level software to manage memory and hardware” to “bloatware that will let you use our hardware with your hardware”
I don’t think 12 will be pure subscription, but if its not, 13 definitely will be
Microsoft is most definitely stupid. I mean, look at the mess that is Windows 10. That OS is just plain stupid.
Jokes on them, I don’t want their invasive AI crawling my system and reporting back to MS
Yeah, the average consumer doesn’t buy Windows. They buy a computer and it happens to come with Windows most of the time. Those consumers aren’t going to want to pay for a subscription. Especially when you look at the prices of the kinds of computers that most people are buying. They’re budget machines. No way a subscription would go over well. And why would OEMs want to deal with the fallout of people not buying their computers because of subscriptions?
The idea that windows would require a subscription for an OS pisses me off more than I thought.
Kinda like the reddit exodus…
Can anyone confirm that my understanding of the source article is correct?
The "Windows 12 may require a subscription" is coming from the fact that the word "Subscription" exists in a Windows config file somewhere?
That seems like a pretty big leap to me. Not that I don't think it's impossible that Microsoft would do this, but the evidence here seems thin to say the least.
Time to contribute heavily to Linux open source and make Linux desktops super useful to everyone.
Maybe this will finally convince the world to move to Linux Mint
Incredibly unlikely to happen to home versions. MAYBE “pro” could be subscription, but I assume this will be a paid support model instead.
Because Microsoft’s market share comes from everyone pirating copies and getting free copies from university. It is the same reason Apple has so many discounts for students and position themselves as “required for art”
Because when those people enter the corporate world? It is easier to support the OS that people sort of know how to use and like.
So yeah, there is almost zero chance of consumer grade windows requiring a subscription. And any outlet that would even entertain the thought mostly shows itself to not understand the market.
I have used Windows for a decade now and keep using it because my workflows and the application support are there. But as someone that uses Linux on my server, has tried out Linux desktops, and uses WSL, I can confidently say that I am gone if they start charging me a subscription. It will be annoying as hell but just like leaving Reddit I am willing to give up some niceties to keep my money and my morals.
So the year of the Linux desktop is finally happening
The rise of Linux is upon us
So does Linux, I subscribe to the Arch rss feed, which is the operating system I use btw.
I knew sooner or later they’d push me to Linux, but that’d do it alright
“We’ll shut down your computer after this quick message from our sponsor!”
With this subscription, the year of the Linux desktop will finally be here.
I know there’s always someone evangelizing Linux when you mention Windows anything, but when Microsoft requires a subscription for Windows is the day I will actually move to Linux.
This might finally provide the momentum to switch to Linux.
I can confirm if Windows ever required a subscription I’d be swapping to Linux so fast. So Fast.
Linux. Again. Install Linux
Ubuntu Linux Debian Linux Fedora Linux Pop!os linux Arch Linux for all i care
Install Linux, stop accepting this bullshit from Microsoft. ALL of their software sucks, they care more about marketing and pulling money out of your pocket than actually giving quality software.
Open source software blows everything Microsoft out of the water, stop accepting the bullshit
Not even confirmed but people here are already losing their mind.
Good thing I’ve been learning to use linux for the past couple of years, if they double down on this I’ll switch permanently, just got to find a distro I like because I haven’t been able to find anything that just “works” without eventually having to open the terminal for one reason or another.
Would fit in with the fact that Microsoft has just patched the remote activation exploit that was used for years.
I’m probably going to get flammed for this, so let me just say I’m already a Linux user.
We need to cool our jets here. Windows 12 isn’t even confirmed yet, and there’s no proof that it will require a subscription. That being said, a subscription service isn’t necessarily a bad thing if it will allow users to have access to features they need, or replace other existing subscription services like xbox game pass, cloud storage, media, etc…
I actually rather like win 10. Win 11 I’m holding off on until they fix the taskbar.
If they go subscription, I go Ubuntu.
Maybe this isn’t for personal editions.
I’d suspect Microsoft would prefer to move personal editions to being mostly perpetual and OEM licenses, while a subscription service for business/enterprise makes more sense. Windows licensing for business is a nightmare and a per-install subscription model could be much simpler to manage while still offering good breaks under Enterprise Agreements and putting license and support under one annual sku.
I'm already using Linux alot, and Windows 10 sometimes. I would drop Windows entirely if it were subscription model.
I will happily just not use it. My desktop usage is already 99% Linux, and it has been for considerable amount of time too. The only thing holding me back is my Destiny 2 guild. The moment that is allowed through Proton, I will be removing the partition completely
I’m somewhat amused by the fact that lots of people are suggesting Linux as an alternative but can’t agree on which flavor to use as the alternative.
Don’t get me wrong, I think Linux is awesome, but this is the problem. You’re never going to get the saturation necessary to bring average consumers over in significant numbers until they have a clear choice.
q47tx@lemmy.world 7 months ago
Veedem@lemmy.world 7 months ago
For the average consumer, this would help Apple and Google out more than anything. People want what they know.
On the more savvy user side and for gamers, this move would, potentially, help Linux adoption rates.
penguin@sh.itjust.works 7 months ago
It would help all of their competitors. A non zero number of people would move from windows to each of the others.
Whether or not the number moving away from windows and on to each of the others is significant or not is a different matter.
The biggest thing helping Linux right now is Valve’s work improving the gaming experience, IMO.
cm0002@lemmy.world 7 months ago
Exactly, which is with this will probably work, do you really think the average consumer that’s used to Windows is going to switch to Mac when they can just pay 5$/month instead? Lol
As long as the price isn’t ridiculous like 50$/month or some shit, the average consumer is just going to pay it lolol
johnlobo@lemmy.world 7 months ago
valve would be really happy if Microsoft do windows subscription, lmao
Venutianxspring@lemmy.dbzer0.com 7 months ago
Yup, Chromebooks are already cheap and pretty intuitive, I think this will bump their sales a lot. I’ve ditched windows long ago except for my gaming PC and the PCs at my office (I don’t have a say in those though, I just much prefer Linux
wintermute_oregon@lemm.ee 7 months ago
I’d switch at that point. I’ve only not switched because the pain isn’t worth the reward right now. I’d have to learn a bunch of new apps and hasn’t been worth it.
Start charging a subscription fee. I’ll learn to use whatever tools a priority.
WeirdGoesPro@lemmy.dbzer0.com 7 months ago
Trust me, it’s already worth it. Literally every other operating system in existence is better than windows. I’d use Temple OS before going back.
Moobythegoldensock@lemm.ee 7 months ago
Start trying some of the new apps on Windows. For example, try using LibreOffice for a bit and see how it compares to Microsoft Office.
SkyeStarfall@lemmy.blahaj.zone 7 months ago
My biggest argument for Linux is: Windows isn’t going to get better, but Linux will.
isles@lemmy.world 7 months ago
I started using a lot of the same open-source tools that are on Linux as replacements in Windows to ease the transition. As someone else mentioned, most of the top projects strive to match the workflows of traditional Windows options. Some lemmy instances have huge posts of top tier open source alternatives to most things you need and somethings you don’t.
ColeSloth@discuss.tchncs.de 7 months ago
There might be a subscription option or a subscription tier with a windows suite like office and stuff included in it, but for normal windows OS, they’re decades away from going to a subscription only model, at best.
cmbabul@lemmy.world 7 months ago
I imagine they’ll split it into an enterprise version and then multiple cinsuner tiers, with a “free/lite” version with ads and progressively more function or less ads. Folks that dont use a computer for more than web browsing will jump on that
GigglyBobble@kbin.social 7 months ago
Judging by this decade I don't estimate in decades anymore.
Neato@kbin.social 7 months ago
Why? They could roll out W12 with subscription-only plans. Besides the contracts they currently have that specify a specific amount of security updates for X years, they can let W11 and previous versions die. No more updates besides what they need to protect themselves.
It's not like governments and businesses will balk. They already pay a premium for Windows licenses and they'd probably get deals, anyways. Average home users might not upgrade, but all new PCs sold will have W12 and require a subscription if you want to be able to use most of the features.
This is what happens by not breaking up MS more or imposing penalties for anti-competitive behavior.
hamsterkill@lemmy.sdf.org 7 months ago
I could see them releasing hardware that’s tied to a subscription that Windows would track, perhaps, or offering subscription as a payment model for Windows.
You’re right, though I can’t see a straight migration to subscription-only happening. They haven’t even gotten Office to subscription-only yet, despite their wish to.
1bluepixel@lemmy.world 7 months ago
I’ve been hearing a variant of this since I joined Slashdot in 1999. “Microsoft really messed up this time, mainstream Linux adoption is right around the corner!”
sebinspace@lemmy.world 7 months ago
Yeah, except the Steam Deck has been giving a huge reason to provide compatibility with Linux, and Valve/WINE have been pushing hard as hell to help facilitate it.
Unity pushed me to go with Godot. Unity already had a Linux editor, but this has pushed me to also move from Photoshop to Krita, since we’re in that kind of mood.
I tried several games last night that were rated gold or platinum rather than native on ProtonDB. While some people provided launch options, they all worked flawlessly out of the box.
Piper let me configure my mouse and keyboard without the need for GHub. My HOTAS works flawlessly without the Saitek software, since I’m used to configuring buttons in-game.
I tried this last year, and went back to Windows with the same “it’s not quite there” response as everyone there. But I’ve been keeping an eye on this since I had to use ndiswrapper to get Ubuntu to play nice with my wlan adapter, and this month, I installed PopOS, and have been getting along pretty well. I haven’t encountered a single issue or compatibility that outright breaks this move for me, and I’m generally stubborn as shit to learn new things.
It may not be the “year of the Linux desktop” for everyone, but it is for me. If you’re expecting some monolithic mass adoption, keep dreaming, but this progress doesn’t seem to be slowing down.
PeutMieuxFaire@kbin.social 7 months ago
Right!
If I had gotten 10 cent each time I heard (or said) this I would be close to 10 € by now :D
I switched to Linux back in 2006 but not everyone has the knowledge, the capacity or the motivation to do so.
wjrii@kbin.social 7 months ago
Someday Linux desktop percentage will jump up, but not how the optimists have thought. It's going to be more because the younger generations don't think they need desktop operating systems, leaving them exclusively to to younger gen-X, older gen-Y, various hobbyists, and those who need a desktop workflow at work and like it enough to bring it home. The desktop will settle into its niche, like live theater, fountain pens, and a thousand other mass culture relics, and Linux will still be there chugging along while Windows and OS X (as we know them) slowly molder due to reduced profits in the desktop space.
I have a kid, and yes, there's a laptop she uses, but to her it's exclusively for games and for dicking around in Roblox Studio or TinkerCAD. I've even seen her close a game, settle into her chair at the very same desk, and pull up Youtube on an iOS device. And this is from a kid who is more comfortable with a PC than most of her peers.
Moobythegoldensock@lemm.ee 7 months ago
2025 is the year of the linux desktop!
MrOxiMoron@lemmy.world 7 months ago
Yeah, and steamdeck might gain more customers too
SuiXi3D@kbin.social 7 months ago
Or folks like myself that refuse to get a TPM just to run a worse OS. I’m fine with Windows 10.
ares35@kbin.social 7 months ago
if microsoft doing stupid shit with windows affected linux adoption rate, we'd all have switched by now.
Spellinbee@lemmy.world 7 months ago
I’ve played around with Linux before, but never really wanted to use it. I’ve always just been happy with windows. Without a doubt though, if they started a subscription for it. I would switch to Linux.
knova@links.dartboard.social 7 months ago
I’m the tech savvy guy in the family. I’ve always said that I keep windows around for gaming and some level of music production. However, if this happens with Windows 12, I’ll move 100% to Linux and deal with the ramifications. Most of my game collection is on Steam which I know has some Linux support now for certain titles.
GenEcon@lemm.ee 7 months ago
Only if they manage to contain pirates.
sock@lemmy.world 7 months ago
im really sad to say this because linux bros are cancerous but if they did a windows subscription i would probably have to swap linux…