Rumor: Windows Blue, the First Free Windows Ever

[samit]

Citing sources familiar with Microsoft’s plans, The Verge reports that Windows Blue is going to be released in mid-2013 and will comprise significant UI changes, most likely supposed to address the controversial Windows 8 features.

The Redmondians are reportedly planning to make Windows Blue a low-cost or even free operating system, just to make sure all users will make the move to the new OS. The Windows SDK would also be updated to the new release, while Microsoft would encourage developers to create apps for Windows Blue, with a lowered focus on Windows 8.

Source: http://news.softpedia.com/news/Microsoft-to-Release-Windows-Blue-the-First-Free-Windows-Ever-Rumors-310494.shtml

 

[Deleted member 178]

Any OS should be free for home users and the company making them focus on business-oriented paid features to sustain the free development.

Comodo is a good example of this.

 

[tapoo]

that will be not so easy for microsoft..... but if they do so, Windows Blue must have lots of limitation....

surely they not gonna offer full-fledged OS like linux distros in free, there must have some limitation like maximum RAM, HDD, Resolution etc. support.....

Their Windows Starter versions may be free version with lots of limitations....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Vista_editions#Comparison_chart
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_7_editions#Comparison_chart
.

 

[Exterminator]

Any OS should be free for home users and the company making them focus on business-oriented paid features to sustain the free development.

Comodo is a good example of this.

I agree with this in part.Yes, Comodo is a great example of a Security software that is free,and very good I might add,for the home user in which they rely on businesses for their revenue.I think this works for security software companies but For Microsoft I just dont think this is feasible and they would be killing themselves and their business.I would surely be in favor of a free unlimited OS but I cant blame Microsoft for not doing this.When you think about it though,Microsoft almost does this now anyway.They seem to allow pirating of their products with very little resistance,which makes you wonder if they arent letting this go on as a marketing ploy.I could see a windows starter version as a free OS with more limitations than it had.

 

[Spirit]

The only software I have no regret of paying for is OS made by Microsoft.


Life is easy with windows OS and its terrible to use free OS


P.S. Its my point of view

 

[HeffeD]

that will be not so easy for microsoft..... but if they do so, Windows Blue must have lots of limitation....

surely they not gonna offer full-fledged OS like linux distros in free, there must have some limitation like maximum RAM, HDD, Resolution etc. support.....

Why does it need to have limitations?

Yes, I understand that Microsoft does charge more for "extras", but you can't tell me that adding these extras really justifies the price jump...

And no, I don't think they would really need to change their business model much to make a free OS a reality. They've actually been eating money on each and every Xbox sold since it's inception, with the money being made on the back-end. (Xbox Live, Software licensing, etc...)

Basically, Microsoft doesn't make its money from the consumers as it is. Microsoft makes it's money from business. Here is an interesting article:
Why Microsoft doesn't need your money: Business brings home the bacon

A free (or very cheap) OS for the home market really wouldn't affect their bottom line to any great degree.

And yes, it would definitely get people to stay up to date with their OS. The reason I'm still running Windows XP is because I feel it is absolutely ridiculous to fork out $100+ every few years on an OS that quite frankly isn't worth that much money...

 

[Coffeeman]

MS may gain more from corporate users of their products, but I don't thinks that they will ever release a free, pretty feature rich version of Windows, may it be 7,8,9........or windows infinite. They are used to get money from every user, home or corporate. They could extend trial periods for 6 months ), after that disable a couple of features and let home users keep it