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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.
Hello FreeBSD
Also, first post!
It's not too shocking right?
Welcome the Windows refugees with open arms.
The first one is always free.
Suckers.
Embrace equality and vote Starlight Glimmer in the 2016 US Presidential election! Starlight invites us to experience an America where we don't flaunt our special talents because we have no special talents to flaunt.
Windows 10, according to Microsoft, has always had mainstream support ending October 13, 2020, and extended support ending October 14, 2025. Various sites reported this a year ago, but people forgot, I guess.
Since this was the "last windows you'll ever buy", that meant that the next one would have to be a "rental-only" version.
I wouldn't be surprised if 10 includes a time bomb to deactivate at it after it goes out of support.
"Transparent" is a shit show that trades on every stereotype going. A man in drag is NOT a transsexual.
I subscribe to Office 365, I quite like the model actually...
I have multiple computers and being able to install Office and have it always up to date, along with 5 OneDrive accounts with plenty of storage is totally worth it to me.
Windows as a service could work, if done right. The key is to take into account those people who have more than 2 or 3 computers and to provide an inexpensive way to grow that number (which Office 365 really doesn't under one account).
But really it needs to be on a per-user basis, so I can install Windows on as many computers as I want, so long as my first log-in is and remains the primary account. Remove that account and the "activation" goes away. Perhaps the primary account needs to log-in once every 30 days to keep it active?
Does it brick your hardware? Can you then wipe the mass storage and install a BSD, Chrome, or Linux? When your Windows subscription expirws does it all stop working?
Like I'm going to pay to receive their Bing spam and other crap.
Hello Ubuntu for work,
Hello PS4 for games.... and I guess I could always dual boot into SteamOS too
I can see a time when you go buy a new computer and it comes with Windows on it and 3 years of "free" updates and support, with the option to pay X dollars per year after that to get continued updates...
This way people who don't need to buy a new computer can, at least for awhile, continue to use that machine and keep it current...
The question is, how much per machine, or per user, per year?
$5 per machine per year might be reasonable, or perhaps $20 per user for up to 5 machines, or perhaps a family licence for $50 per year for 25 machines and 10 users...
I imagine they won't be that generous, but they would be smart to do so to soften the blow when they roll it out. Either way, the idea of selling Windows and giving away 10 years of free updates is probably not going to survive, whatever comes next...
That's what I've been saying since 10 was announced as a "free" upgrade from 7/8. Soon as they get enough people updated, via hook or crook, they'll adopt a PAID subscription. Adobe did it. On one had, it's not a bad business model, as you can pretty much know what your revenue stream from month to month, year to year will be, but, as with Adobe Photoshop, I'll just hang onto CC6 for a while longer.
For a business with lots of terminals, this would be a godsend. They'll be able to fire the entire IT staff, and lease everything from Microsoft. No more license audits! Yippee!
“He’s not deformed, he’s just drunk!”
anybody who hands over money for privilege of paying to raped by their scamware deserves exactly this:
- a subscription model so they can extract revenue from you, regularly instead of once
- to a piece of shit that holds your data hostage
- changes the way it behaves, whether you like it or not
- sells info to the highest bidder (for additional $$$)
- occasionally just hands it right over
- studies your behaviour
this trash makes Cerber/ransomware seem almost gregarious
Something smells a little funny about this to me.
-- Brought to you by Carl's JR
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.
MS is poised to once again make a Moderately funny joke into reality.
I would be interested in Windows subscriptions if it included full virtualization rights. As it is now, licensing Widows for virtualization is a clusterfsck.
As long as 'UpgradeSubscription.exe" doesn't interfere with the "NotAVirus.exe" i recently installed then i say go for it.
You're going to be nagged every time you want to use it to buy a subscription (or should I say prescription?) to keep using it.
they've been wanting a subscription model for windows since xp's longevity allowed people and businesses to hang onto their computers for much much longer than the 2-3 years microsoft wants everybody to buy a new one (and new operating system and software for it). IIRC microsoft even trialed a subscription model for windows previously somewhere 10? or so years ago.
fact is, system requirements for windows plateaued with vista. that was nearly 10 years ago now. you don't "need" more than an old dual core pentium or athlon x2 and 4gb of ram for virtually everything most people use a computer for. the only way for microsoft to increase revenues in this space is with ads (windows 10), baked-in "app store" (windows 8 and newer), and subscriptions (office 365 since 2011.. coming soon to windows, count on it)
Guessing about extreme abuse by Microsoft: "That's what I've been saying since 10 was announced as a "free" upgrade from 7/8. Soon as they get enough people updated, via hook or crook, they'll adopt a PAID subscription. Adobe did it."
And then: " On one had, it's not a bad business model..."
It amazes me how easily people commenting on Slashdot accept abuse. They give excuses.
What are you a menonite? 10 users and 25 machines in your family?
Microsoft's previous family products included 3 licenses, don't expect that to change as they've had that policy for almost a decade.
> 3 years of "free" updates and support,
Microsoft said that Windows 10 will be free for the "supported lifetime of the device" without defining what that meant. If the "_supported_ life" meant the length of the warranty then, yes, when the warranty expires so does the free. Note: it did _not_ say: 'the supported life of the OS'.
"""This is more than a one-time upgrade: once a Windows device is upgraded to Windows 10, we will continue to keep it current for the supported lifetime of the device – at no additional charge."""
But it's not free.... and it's a product lifetime license.
You know they only put these getyourpantiesinabunch.exe files in there see what your reaction will be, right?
I've expected that once the "free" upgrade program to Windows 10 ends on July 29, 2016, those who have installed the update will get a notice that the software will require a subscription to continue using your Windows 10 computer. Unless you pay $20 per month beginning August 30, 2016, your computer will be bricked. But Wait! We have a special deal: you can also continue to use your computer with Windows 10 for only $199 for 12 months. Prices are expected to increase yearly.
In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act. George Orwell
I have family who works at Microsoft. I told you all this was coming last year and you laughed at me. Enjoy it, cocksuckers. Pay your subscription, or be spammed by ads. Either way it's not your computer anymore.
Comment removed based on user account deletion
Wouldn't surprise me in the least either & I wouldn't doubt a 'bad patch' will destroy 7 onwards on most folks' systems...
See subject: Like that, I predict it will destroy them too...
APK
P.S.=> I suspect they're intentionally devaluing their stock via artificially ruining it first, then, once they've done enough corporate buyback of their stock SLOWLY (so as to not arouse suspicion or setoff flags), they'll release a version of it that is CLEAN (they'll have to if they want to survive, as no one is buying it as is, spyware & all etc.) + "perfected" (if such a thing exists that is) & then, they will CLEAN UP large as the stockprice soars + subscriptions 'go wild' - call it a hunch (crazy? Maybe, but it's possible, plus if someone can imagine it?? It's already BEING done)... apk
What are you a menonite? 10 users and 25 machines in your family?
Microsoft's previous family products included 3 licenses, don't expect that to change as they've had that policy for almost a decade.
I have at least 15 under my control in a non commercial environment. Fortunately only 1 is an internet connected W10 machine, with nothing personal on it at all. 5 W10 networked machines but air gapped, and the rest linux or OS X. Guess which one computer is a pain in the ass. Hint, not any Unixy ones.
Oh, and a cute little RPi 3 running Ubuntu Mate. I have a subscription plan for Apache Office on them all. They update AO and I download and install it. They have a money back guarantee as well.
The shepherds did so well protecting the flock that the sheep no longer believed that wolves existed.
What are you a menonite? 10 users and 25 machines in your family?
What, I can't have 8 kids?
As for the computers, that isn't hard.. desktops, laptops, computers on the TVs, a file server, build and test machines, a few computers at the beach house, etc...
Microsoft's previous family products included 3 licenses, don't expect that to change as they've had that policy for almost a decade.
Office 365 Family is 5, so frankly your statement isn't even correct today, much less in the future...
Not gonna happen. I'll go back to linux or start hacking on haiku or syllable before I rent my os
the article is stupid. this has an actual use.
plenty of other files in windows fhat provide an payment dialog and periodical content. anyways, its a decision by ms to push payment code. they cant force it without customwrs agreeing
Ironic, considering he was quoted as saying that his goal was to make people love Microsoft's software. On what planet? Everything he's done so far is awful.
I never expected or realized he could be worse than Ballmer.
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!
In our tests, 10 is much less sluggish than 7. Our MSP (CDW) screamed at us and threatened to murder us when we asked for a quote for the upgrade cost from 7 to 10. They also called my boss and claimed I threatened to murder him with a baseball bat for asking for a quote. The MSPs have been ordered by Microsoft to react violently to upgrade requests.
Why the fuck do you end every sentence with three dots instead of one? Are you a fucking retard who failed first grade English and never caught up?
lol
The first one is always free.
Suckers.
Just like drug pushers....
I tried setting the clock of my Windows 10 VM (not activated) to decades in the future without an Internet connection, and it continued to function normally. But the time bomb may come as an update. They seem bold enough to do it.
Rent seeking is not what you think it is. But I get your point. Such a "rental" model isn't going to last long when we're in the final days of the unholy Roman empire. In the jobless future, the only business that'll matter is show business. Yes, games and porn, the better to keep the masses from revolting.
So here's my advice to Nadella, Sell off Office and your other enterprise software businesses soon be made obsolete by Big Data AI. Focus on the Xbox, VR, etc. Your main costumer is going to be the government, the .001 percent, who will do everything in their power to remain in power. An entertained population fed with the minimum necessary to keep their stomachs growling will the prime objective.
Suddenly the pushiness from MS to get people on to Win10 makes perfect sense. More subscribers! Most of us are more used to the older model of buying the software once and being able to use it forever. Is that really how it works in practice, though? A few years down the line the software is no longer the current version, and finally unsupported. I hate to be billed monthly as much as anyone, but you have to consider the upside of a win10 subscription: software always up to date. Of course, there is a better solution: move to Linux. Software up to date and no fees. Now that model looks better than ever.
I can see a time when you go buy a new computer and it comes with Windows on it and 3 years of "free" updates and support, with the option to pay X dollars per year after that to get continued updates...
So.. basically every version of Windows ever released?
This thing with subscriptions for Windows 10 makes me think Windows 10 will become a service and not a product.
If so, I wonder what the legal ramifications are. Maybe it is a way for Microsoft to spy on Windows 10 users, legally, forever, for anyone, for whatever reason, with any consequences.
It's called an ellipsis, and the use of it signifies that there are words missing. When used at the end of a sentence they imply there's more to be said, but the reader should be able to fill in the blanks, from the context of whatever has already been written.
I'm sure you'd know this if you had any great ability in, or facility with, the English language...
6.4 kids should be enough for anyone.
with the option to pay X dollars per year after that to get continued updates...
This would be acceptable. What's the bet that the concept of being allowed to use an expired license on a computer isn't what Microsoft agrees with?
The free anti-virus software that comes with new PCs usually lasts about a month before you have to pay. If Microsoft goes this route I imagine they will adopt industry best practice.
const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
Win 10 let's us do Workplace Join which can let us upgrade and activate an edition upgrade from Windows Home or Windows Pro to Windows Enterprise. This let's folks use their home computer but still use things like Bitlocker and DirectAccess which aren't part of Home. The way it works is we provide an edition change package, look up the Windows 10 Provisioning Package. Rather than relying on your home computer talking to the on-prem KMS, it uses essentially an old school MAC key for temporarily activating an upgrade. Once the PC is removed from the company's workplace join, it removes that edition. The goal is to let employees use any device they care to in order to get their work done and allow the company to reclaim that edition upgrade once they leave that role. Why MS insists on calling it a subscription, I'm not sure, but it probably has more to do with the fact that to have the Enterprise version, you have to have an EA agreement and a Software Assurance. Basically no, it's not what you think and the Microsoft response is reasonably accurate it's just the word subscription that should be replaced with the word "Activation." [Note, I'm a consultant who does Intune/Configuration Manager so I'm actively deploying these packages that do this with clients today.]
Microsoft's evil, but they know good business. Assuredly pulling an Adobe and changing to a subscription service for Windows 10 would cause far more damage than the short term profits they would get from the ransom payments, right?
Don't use Windows 10 because it's an Orwellian nightmare of surveillance, of course. But I am just doubtful Microsoft would shoot themselves in the head by doing what most commenters here are taking it to mean.
Not if you want it to work as a GSM/LTE phone. Those bits are proprietary.
Quick, everyone delete their System32 folders before the subscription policy takes effect!
$5 per machine per year might be reasonable, or perhaps $20 per user for up to 5 machines, or perhaps a family licence for $50 per year for 25 machines and 10 users...
I imagine they won't be that generous
Not sure which sickens me more, that you think this is reasonable, or that Microsoft probably does, too.
$20 per user per year for a thing you can have for free if not for the Microsoft lock-in.
And Red Hat is busy doing its best to lock in the big free option as well. Sigh.
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His point still stands. If you can't finish a single sentence without using one, it implies you can't formulate a complete thought.
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If you're a company with a business and data retention plan, fine. But as a home user, why is it so fucking hard for computer companies to understand lately that
A) once I buy it it's mine,
B) I should have the right and ability to install whatever I'm physically capable of on it, and
C) if I don't upgrade it, it will continue working in its current state until the hardware gives out.
(Potential) Violation of A) renting the OS so that if I stop paying in perpetuity presumably it will cripple the computer. And by then we're likely to have even more SecureBoot etc. up the ass. I assume they'll be taking away the option to just buy it straight-up because that's not as profitable.
Violation of B) SecureBoot and hardware whitelists. Oh sure, SecureBoot is "just the tip" for now. Come back in 20 years and I guaranfuckingtee you it won't be disablable.
Violation of C) anything that requires an active Internet connection to work, subscription fee, etc.
C postscript) getting tricked into upgrading to an unusable state
If people want to rent this shit, fine. Just continue offering us the ability to buy it outright.
Computing used to be, you get the hardware, you draw up a table of ones and zeros, and you run the fucking ones and zeros on the hardware. Now it's all about control and what we are and aren't allowed to do with the hardware we bought and own ourselves. How far we've fallen.
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Someone found a filename they don't like. Microsoft explained - clearly - what it is for and what it isn't for. It's used for that version of Windows 10 that we have always known costs money and is part of a subscription: Enterprise.
All the posters ranting about how they've had enough and are switching to Linux, and all those smug people saying "I told you so" evidently didn't even read the summary.
This is a non-issue. The filename might as well have been NothingHasChangedInAnyWay.EXE
"Oh no... he found the
I guess Windows 7 might be the OS to last 20 years then. An OS as a service? Has MS lost their marbles?
"For the first time IT organizations will be able to provision virtual instances of Windows 10 as a service from the Microsoft Azure public cloud using their existing software licenses. The Windows 10 as a service will arrive via the Citrix XenDesktop virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) offering. The companies haven't said when the service will be available, but it appears they're aiming to have a technical preview out later this year. It's a significant move for Microsoft, which to date has never permitted anyone to offer Windows as a service under the existing end-user license agreement. The new agreement between Microsoft and Citrix Systems Inc. -- which eliminates the need for back-end infrastructure while using existing Windows licenses -- is just one of many new ways the two companies are going to help each other out. In what officials at both companies called their most significant partnership to date, they will also deliver Office 365 and Skype for Business as virtual applications via Citrix XenApp, share features among both companies' respective enterprise mobility and management suites, and bring features of Citrix ShareFile to Office 365 and SharePoint Online. "
See here:
https://redmondmag.com/articles/2016/07/01/help-from-friends.aspx
It really is depressing to watch the Microsoft apologists rationalize their own rape. But at the same time, it's somehow amusing.
$20 per user per year for a thing you can have for free if not for the Microsoft lock-in.
I can have Windows for free? All those people developing it don't need to be paid?
If you meant Linux, it isn't the same thing nor is it a replacement for Windows on the desktop, as much as the Linux folks want it to be.
Unlike the "I want everything for free" crowd, I'm ok to pay for things that I use.
This would be acceptable. What's the bet that the concept of being allowed to use an expired license on a computer isn't what Microsoft agrees with?
What about the option to keep using it, but Internet access is disabled?
In other words, if you want to keep rocking that old unsupported version of Windows, knock yourself out, but keep it off the net.
Think of this like emissions controls on cars, we don't allow those on the street for the same reason, harm to other people. Allowing computers on the net that aren't updated harms the public welfare.
Note: I'm sure many years ago when emissions controls came out, plenty of people were outraged back then as well, now they are normal. Outrage will happen if the above with computers happens, then it will become normal. The government will pass a law and cloak it in "stopping terrorists and protecting children" and most people will say "that sounds reasonable", and move on, while techies and a few others scream outrage and no one listens to them.
We already pay the "Windows Tax" for Windows to be pre-installed on basically every computer you can find, whether you want it or not. So apparently the problem is that it isn't making them enough money. They're still getting paid.
Plus there must be people buying boxed copies of Windows. Only for some reason it sounds like they're going to stop selling those in favor of the subscriptions.
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Unlike the "I want everything for free" crowd, I'm ok to pay for things that I use.
Pay for it every year, forever? Why would you want to do that when you can pay for it once?
Unity? Screw that: XFCE. Slashdot Beta? Screw that: SoylentNews. Australis? Screw that: Pale Moon. UX developers DIAF
Thing is, I wouldn't even really mind all that much if Windows did move to a pure subscription model.
IF, and only if, Win10 wasn't so completely loaded down with ads everywhere and all the tracking bullshit.
I don't have any issues paying for an operating system, sure, no problem. But if I pay, you sure as hell better not be exploiting me for even more money via shitty ads and data/identity theft.
Fuck them and fuck anyone who thinks this is acceptable business practice. Google gets away with it because google is free, and you know upfront.
> nor is it a replacement for Windows on the desktop, as much as the Linux folks want it to be.
It is for them, and for me. If you need Windows, then fine, do so.
We already pay the "Windows Tax" for Windows to be pre-installed on basically every computer you can find, whether you want it or not. So apparently the problem is that it isn't making them enough money. They're still getting paid.
I'm sorry, I didn't know that there was an "allowed amount of money" they can have, and no more...
Windows costs more to develop today than it did 20 years ago, yet the price hasn't changed.
MS provides a decade worth of updates for free, they have looked at the market and figured out that doing so is not a good idea. Rather than raise the price of Windows, they will shorten the time period for free updates.
This also helps with the problem of people staying on older versions of Windows for long periods of time, such as Windows XP.
Plus there must be people buying boxed copies of Windows. Only for some reason it sounds like they're going to stop selling those in favor of the subscriptions.
No, I imagine they'll still sell Windows, but now they can lower the price and offer 3 years of updates. Perhaps they could do $19 for a 1 year Windows licence or $49 for a 3 year licence, then sell annual updates for $20 a year...
Another thing they could do is include some OneDrive space, Skype minutes, and even a Windows store credit with that. Perhaps $10 of Windows Store credit per year of renewal.
Pay for it every year, forever? Why would you want to do that when you can pay for it once?
You can pay for it once, the problem is the expectation of updates for 10 years...
You can buy MS Office and own it forever, but you won't get updates forever... Or you can subscribe to it, pay less up front and always have the newest version.
This isn't complicated, but for some reason people want to get all hung up over this... What MS is doing is adjusting the expectations of 10 years of free updates... Rather than raise the price of Windows, they are lowering the "free updates" time...
I'm sorry, I didn't know that there was an "allowed amount of money" they can have, and no more...
Well, since I want to pay them one lump sum of money and you want to pay them all your money forever...you tell me who's being more reasonable. Me saying "they're not making enough money" makes no claim whatsoever about what number "enough" is, either.
Windows costs more to develop today than it did 20 years ago, yet the price hasn't changed.
Yeah, it's expensive to ram all these touchscreen features we don't want down the throats of users!
No, I imagine they'll still sell Windows, but now they can lower the price and offer 3 years of updates.
Just a couple paragraphs ago you were saying they aren't making enough money, now you think they're going to make Windows cheaper? Listen to yourself. You don't use a monopoly to make less money.
Another thing they could do is include some OneDrive space, Skype minutes, and even a Windows store credit with that. Perhaps $10 of Windows Store credit per year of renewal.
Hey, wow, all kinds of other shit I don't use or want. Maybe they could include a couple copies of Norton Antivirus and a coupon for a free anal probe, too?
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Think of this like emissions controls on cars, we don't allow those on the street for the same reason, harm to other people.
False equivalence. Emission controls are based on direct effects which is precisely why you can get old cars re-validated if you modify the engine. The computer argument on the other hand is based on some perceived risk which comes with a lot of assumptions. e.g. Firewalled vs direct connection. Grandma punching monkey vs careful and well trained operator.
Having an old unpatched computer on the net is not an immediate threat to the owner or to others, and I'd wage that an old NT4 machine currently connected to the net won't get owned anywhere near as much as some fancy Windows 7 + IE9 + Flash + Acrobat + Outlook sporting PC sifting through an endless stream of paypal phishing emails.
False equivalence.
No, it isn't, but you will keep thinking so... and you'll be ignored and it will happen sooner or later without you...
Having an old unpatched computer on the net is not an immediate threat to the owner or to others
You're wrong, but that's ok, we'll help you too...
Uh I *only* said it when Windows XP came out and well, here we are, been on Linux since 2001. So shut up.
Getting security updates is par for the course and is expected, if you sell a product and it is broken and doesn't work as expected, of course the vendor is obligated to fix it. With OS X, Ubuntu, Android, iOS, nobody is charging for updates, and not even charging for the OS. I don't get how they expect people to suddenly pay for this.