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'UpgradeSubscription.exe' File In Preview Build Hints At Windows 10 Subscriptions (zdnet.com)
An anonymous reader writes: A file named "UpgradeSubscription.exe" is found buried in the System32 folder of Windows 10 build 14376, alongside 590 other .exe files. ZDNet reports the file has been part of other recent preview builds, but just recently uncovered. "In the file's properties, it's described as the Windows Upgrade to Subscription Tool, and its date and time stamp corresponds to other administrative tools in the same build," reports ZDNet. You can view the screenshot here. Microsoft responded to ZDNet saying: "The Windows Upgrade to Subscription tool, found in the latest Windows Insider builds, helps to manage certain volume licensing upgrades from Windows 10 Pro Anniversary Update to Windows 10 Enterprise. This binary file is not associated with the free consumer upgrade offering nor is it applicable to consumer Windows editions." When pressed for additional details, Microsoft responded with, "No further comment." While the file does nothing, it does appear to confirm that it's related to licensing, referencing a registry value called AllowWindowsSubscription. Build 14376 reveals a few references to servicing packages named Microsoft-Client-License-Platform-Upgrade-Subscription-Package. Last year, there was some talk about Windows 10 being the last version of Windows as Microsoft is pushing a "Windows as a service" vision. When news broke in April about Windows Phone's sharp revenue declines, PCWorld reported that CEO Satya Nadella's strategy is to grow Microsoft's revenues by convincing customers to adopt its paid subscription services.
Welcome the Windows refugees with open arms.
The first one is always free.
Suckers.
It is all about rent seeking, the ultimate business model! Let's see what happens to all those free upgrades from pirated editions, popcorn ready.
I don't like this, and I don't use Office 365 for this exact reason. Software as a service makes no sense at all for individuals. For corporations, sure. RENTING shit is generally a fucking waste of money. At the end of the day, you have nothing.
"Oh my God. This is terrible. This is the end of my Presidency. I'm fucked."; ~ Donald J. Trump
I'd rather just use OpenOffice.org or LibreOffice than paying Microsoft $100 or more. I'm still using Windows, but if Microsoft decides that all future Windows computer sales need a monthly "Windows license fee" to operate then I'll look into a Mac or will buy a Windows laptop and will put Linux on it.
My sci-fi novel, Ghost Thief, is now available from Amazon.com.
Yeah yeah, this is what people were saying they were going to do when Windows Me came out...switch to Linux. Then again when Windows Vista came out. Then again when Windows 8 came out. Then again when Windows 10 came out. But it doesn't happen, still any Windows story on here gets the same comments and the same furious people with the empty threat of saying they will move to other operating systems.
Seriously for all the pontificating about how great Linux (and FreeBSD) is and all the anecdotes about "i put it on my family members' computer and they love it" the stories about Windows should be pretty devoid of those furious comments by now. I'm predicting that much like every other thing Microsoft has done that has created the faux backlash here, this won't change their usage share at all. They could ship Windows with a camera that they shove up your ass and ultimately you'd still use it, it's sad that that is the case and effort and money should instead be spent on making desktop Linux (or FreeBSD) a truly viable alternative but I doubt that will happen.
Nadella - if you are reading this thread?
Piss off.
There is no way on God's Green Earth that I will ever pay a subscription fee for an operating system.
_ _ _ Go for the eyes Boo! GO FOR THE EYES!
From the context, it's supposed to be read as "it's not a bad business model for the companies doing it", what with the mention of revenue streams.
I subscribe to Office 365, I quite like the model actually...
You've never upgraded software only to find a feature you rely on has been removed, or that it no longer opens some old document format from your archives like the previous version did? And you're OK with having no control over the version you run in the event you would like to keep that feature or open those documents?
Do you really trust that Microsoft will let you access your data indefinitely, or will they start rolling out fees to open documents?
You are completely off your rocker.
You can use office 365 online, and you can use it on Linux or OSX too.
First, no you really can't use the online versions in a professional environment... yes, they work fine in a pinch, but if you're building or editing a 143 slide PowerPoint, that is just painful.
Desktop applications exist for a reason.
Also, this has nothing to do with Windows vs Linux vs OSX, it has to do with MS Office in general.
Correct. They couldn't disable it. They could start showing you ads if you don't subscribe though.
Listen, the real lesson here is that, like it or not, Stallman was right. I'm not speaking as an FSF fan or Free software zealot either.
Linux is your only viable escape from this. Apple isn't. Android isn't. It's starting to dawn on the masses that Stallman saw something 30+ yeas ago that they are only just beginning to understand. Those who control the source code, control you (see also, Volkswagon and the emissions scandal).
It's happening all the time.,You only find out about a tiny number. You can't stop them unless you have the source code and the means to modifying the system.
Call it the right to repair, the right to tinker, the right to hack. Whatever.