Windows 12 May Require a Subscription

Billiam@lemmy.world to Technology@lemmy.world – 930 points –
Windows 12 May Require a Subscription
pcmag.com

[A]n INI configuration file in the Windows Canary channel, discovered by German website Deskmodder, includes references to a "Subscription Edition," "Subscription Type," and a "subscription status."

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Can anyone confirm that my understanding of the source article is correct?

The "Windows 12 may require a subscription" is coming from the fact that the word "Subscription" exists in a Windows config file somewhere?

That seems like a pretty big leap to me. Not that I don't think it's impossible that Microsoft would do this, but the evidence here seems thin to say the least.

Yep!

Also lemmy is full of open-source Linux nerds who will upvote anything that bashes on Microsoft (oh excuse me Micro$oft for the old heads).

Of course it is. Open source nerds created lemmy and operate the instances. They are the primary audience that would care to abandon reddit over the API change and now the privacy policy change.

This is like going to a gun club and campaigning for better gun control. You might find a couple supporters but for the most part you'll just be pissing everyone off.

I see more comments like this than comments of these boogeyman you guys speak of. You guys are doing your own little circlejerk, thinking you're cool and smart.

......what? The fact that this post is at the top of my feed is proof enough. They're absolutely right, it's purely speculation with very little evidence that has been upvoted to shit.

Also, "Lemmy is full of open-source Linux nerds" is NOT a controversial statement. I am an open-source Linux nerd. YOU are an open-source Linux nerd, looking at your comments. This place is absolutely riddled with nerds, look around my dude.

You think everyone who upvotes or participates in the bashing of Microsoft is a "open-source Linux nerd"? You think people who use Windows love Windows and love their business practices and don't have a history of being shafted?

Just unbelievable with you people.

It looks like they will add a subscription edition, doesn't necessarily mean current editions will go away. If they don't offer free upgrade again, for a lot of people they will need to decide to either buy a full license or roll a subscription.

There is not a lot known here tho, will Windows be part of the existing 365 subscription? Will OEMs offer a full license any more? Or will it be a trial before adding a sub or license.

No one knows

Hey, guys. I found the word "subscription" in Steam's terms of use.

I guess sometime soon, GabeN is gonna start charging $5 a month for people to access their gaming libraries.

They already have their staple programs subscription based, why not windows too? People must be paying.

It's more likely to be some sort of license for companies than anything else. I'd be impressed if they actually think the average windows user would pay for it.

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I think the most likely outcome is that this is somehow integrating an o365 or m365 style subscription into windows, carving out "pro" features into the subscription. Either power-user features, or org management features like Ad-joining and management. Maybe subscription versions of Windows that only work with m365 managed accounts, and don't actually support local accounts.

It could replace professional edition, maybe it will be an alternative product SKU, but that seems like the most Microsoft thing that those config strings could mean.

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