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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.
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.
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.