Microsoft promises at least 10 years of support for Win10

[Lazy8s]

I doubt Windows 10 will be the final version as questioned below, but I wouldn't mind an "era"of perpetual updates as either.

by Ben Funk — 1:36 PM on July 17, 2015

Despite some confusion over statements made by Microsoft executive VP Terry Myerson at Windows 10's introduction, the new operating system does indeed have a support life cycle. The company's freshly updated life cycle schedule shows that WIndows 10 will enjoy the same ten-year support period as Redmond's previous operating systems, with a minimum of five years of mainstream support and five more years of extended support.

The dates don't exactly correspond with the July 29 release date, extending to October 13, 2020 for mainstream support and October 14, 2025 for extended support. Those dates are calculated using the date of general availability, which might be explained by Microsoft's plan to roll out Windows 10 upgrades over an extended period. Microsoft notes that these periods are only minimum guarantees, and support periods may be extended depending when (and if) another, newer OS is released.
There is one asterisk related to Windows 10 updates: the company says "a device may not be able to receive updates if the device hardware is incompatible, lacking current drivers, or otherwise outside of the Original Equipment Manufacturer’s ('OEM') support period." It seems like Microsoft is reserving plenty of wiggle room for itself beyond its usual support lifecycle guarantees. Will Windows 10 really be the final version of Windows and usher in a new era of perpetual updates? We'll let you know in ten years.

Source: TechReport

[nutcrackr]

Lots of DLC to come!

[Lazy8s]

Lots of DLC to come!

[bittermann]

So basically Widows 10 as a service will have the same ole life cycle. The more things change the more some stay the same. Hardware compatibility is just common sense.

[Thr0tt]

No one questioning the service subscription cost model ?

[ShaidarHaran]

No one questioning the service subscription cost model ?

Why would they? It's no different than the existing system. Large organizations have already and currently do pay for extended support beyond the stated end date.

[WarlorD721]

Sounds the essentially the same as Android or IOS...

[Thr0tt]

Why would they? It's no different than the existing system. Large organizations have already and currently do pay for extended support beyond the stated end date.

Microsoft Office, yearly subscription, they recently posted $2 billion loss why not look at the option for all to subscribe to the OS and receive updates ? Those that don't wish to pay then just don't get updates ?

Calling it a service... Apart from charity what other services are free ? Mark my words we will be asked to pay

[daPhoenix]

Why would they? It's no different than the existing system.

The difference is they'll implement it for home users in the future without a doubt once a suitable payment method is implemented that is easy enough to roll out in the west (or even globally).

Microsoft needs to make more money because investors demand it and the only way they can leech more is either to make must have software or then find new ways to get more money out of people who have to use their current existing software - like Office or Windows.

It's coming, whether you want it or not.

[Lazy8s]

The difference is they'll implement it for home users in the future without a doubt once a suitable payment method is implemented that is easy enough to roll out in the west (or even globally).

Microsoft needs to make more money because investors demand it and the only way they can leech more is either to make must have software or then find new ways to get more money out of people who have to use their current existing software - like Office or Windows.

It's coming, whether you want it or not.

I think so too. Arstechnica and others called it before Vista even launched.

[ShaidarHaran]

Microsoft Office, yearly subscription, they recently posted $2 billion loss why not look at the option for all to subscribe to the OS and receive updates ? Those that don't wish to pay then just don't get updates ?

Calling it a service... Apart from charity what other services are free ? Mark my words we will be asked to pay

Windows does not have a subscription option. If your argument is that Office has it so Windows will some day too, that's speculative. I would counter that argument by saying that MS will find it incredibly difficult to charge for updates, which is essentially what they would have to do should they choose to implement a subscription model for Windows. They are giving Windows 10 away to all existing users, can't charge for something after you give it away.

The difference is they'll implement it for home users in the future without a doubt once a suitable payment method is implemented that is easy enough to roll out in the west (or even globally).

Microsoft needs to make more money because investors demand it and the only way they can leech more is either to make must have software or then find new ways to get more money out of people who have to use their current existing software - like Office or Windows.

It's coming, whether you want it or not.

I'll point you to the above response.

[|MaguS|]

So they are giving it less support then Windows XP?

[ShaidarHaran]

So they are giving it less support then Windows XP?

I don't think that will be the case. Microsoft has to set a deadline from the beginning. That doesn't mean it will ultimately end there. XP's deadline was set to expire long before it actually did because MS kept pushing it back (they had to, no one wanted Vista and it took several years for 7 to surpass XP's marketshare).

[bittermann]

I don't think that will be the case. Microsoft has to set a deadline from the beginning. That doesn't mean it will ultimately end there. XP's deadline was set to expire long before it actually did because MS kept pushing it back (they had to, no one wanted Vista and it took several years for 7 to surpass XP's marketshare).

I'd have to agree...XP was the exception more than the norm.

[SirBaron]

Windows does not have a subscription option. If your argument is that Office has it so Windows will some day too, that's speculative. I would counter that argument by saying that MS will find it incredibly difficult to charge for updates, which is essentially what they would have to do should they choose to implement a subscription model for Windows. They are giving Windows 10 away to all existing users, can't charge for something after you give it away.

It' been speculated many times that they will charge for future service packs, and of course they can charge for something after they give it away for free. If you want new features you Pay for windows 10.1, otherwise if you don't you stick to windows 10.

It's the Apple route and you didn't see people kicking up a fuss about paying £20 for a service pack

If anyone thinks Microsoft is giving Windows 10 away for free without a future intention to make money off it is very naive.

[ShaidarHaran]

It' been speculated many times that they will charge for future service packs, and of course they can charge for something after they give it away for free. If you want new features you Pay for windows 10.1, otherwise if you don't you stick to windows 10.

But it's just that until it happens, speculation.

It's the Apple route and you didn't see people kicking up a fuss about paying £20 for a service pack

Apple hasn't charged for OSX for several versions now. Not sure what you mean...

If anyone thinks Microsoft is giving Windows 10 away for free without a future intention to make money off it is very naive.

They're only giving it away to dissatisfied users. It's a PR move to deal with the poor public perception of Windows 8. Also why the name is Windows 10, not 9. They're still selling it to OEMs and people that don't qualify for an upgrade. There's plenty of revenue to be made from Windows sales.

[daPhoenix]

Also why the name is Windows 10, not 9.

I'd be more willing to believe the speculation that it's Windows 10 because of the version check theory rather than any marketing reason.

[ShaidarHaran]

I'd be more willing to believe the speculation that it's Windows 10 because of the version check theory rather than any marketing reason.

Are you talking about the Win 9x legacy software issue? I don't think that really matters. Who uses software that old anymore?