Slashdot Mirror
'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.
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 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.
MS is poised to once again make a Moderately funny joke into reality.
I wish OneDrive was a better product though. Ever tried to sync large OneDrive folders between two machines on your local network? Unlike Dropbox it doesn't seem to realize that there's no need to do a roundtrip to an Oregon server to copy files between computers that are two feet apart.
lucm, indeed.
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.
It's not too shocking right?
I'm in the market for a new kitchen table. Any ideas on where I can rent one for the next 20–30 years?
I recommend getting the pro version, I got the home premium one first but it was too wobbly because they disable one leg.