"Once a device is upgraded to WIndows 10, we'll be keeping it current for the supported lifetime of the device," said Terry Myserson, executive vice president of the Operating Systems Group. "With Windows 10, we think of Windows as a service..."
Most of the money that the Windows OS brings in is from corporate sales. Considering how difficult it can be to get these kinds of users to upgrade (think of how many businesses still use the no longer supported Windows XP) I think this might be Microsoft paving the way to convert more corporate users to a subscription based arrangement.
I don't necessarily think this means that home users will be switched over to a subscription to "windows as a service" because Microsoft really isn't losing any money from these customers. The cost of the Windows OS was paid by the computer manufacturer and upgrading windows to the newest version is an easy way to make sure out of date computers show their age and get replaced, aka more oem os sales.
Most of the money that the Windows OS brings in is from corporate sales. Considering how difficult it can be to get these kinds of users to upgrade (think of how many businesses still use the no longer supported Windows XP) I think this might be Microsoft paving the way to convert more corporate users to a subscription based arrangement.
I don't necessarily think this means that home users will be switched over to a subscription to "windows as a service" because Microsoft really isn't losing any money from these customers. The cost of the Windows OS was paid by the computer manufacturer and upgrading windows to the newest version is an easy way to make sure out of date computers show their age and get replaced, aka more oem os sales.