As I understand it, Microsoft needs to keep Windows everywhere so they can sell everything else (Office, Exchange, Server, SQL and Sharepoint).
Why don't they give Windows for free ?
Why don't they give Windows for free ?
I think you know the reason, its because they make a shit load of money selling it.
It's not at all clear that they would be better off giving it away for free.
If I was them I'd rather make less money now and stay relevant for the next 20 years than satisfy my immediate greed and disappear* in the next decade ...
* disappear is too strong but my English being limited I don't have the word I need to convey what I mean.
The only question is whether it declines because they make it free, or because fewer people will be buying and using it.
(Note, I haven't checked the 25% part, but their last quarter's revenue was ~$24bn).
"Guys, I know we've been making around $20 billion a year selling Windows licenses but this guy jmnicolas on Hacker News is suggesting we should give it away".
"That's... brilliant... Why didn't we think of that before?"
Unless MS find a way for the people to genuinely like the products they peddle to the Devices and Services target audience - their cash will last only so far.
Google bought YouTube. Which appears to have been a very successful way to buy its way into video.