12mo ago

Microsoft will charge Windows 10 users $30 per year for security updates

www.tomshardware.com

Windows @sopuli.xyz

Nemeski @lemm.ee

12mo ago

Microsoft will charge Windows 10 users $30 per year for security updates

www.tomshardware.com /software/operating-systems/microsoft-will-charge-windows-10-users-usd30-per-year-for-security-updates

41 comments

This is just the beginning of a yearly subscription for Windows OS. Just wait.
- By offering extended support? Same as they've done since at least windows 95?
  
  Windows bad, remember?
- Yeah I'm already switching to Linux next year, I don't need rage bait in my life.
Nah, I would rather use free Linux.
- It’s actually incredible how good Linux is, and it’s entirely free. No ads, no bullshit, just a rock solid OS. It’s staggering how small a proportion of people use it.
  
  It’s amazing how much better an operating system can be when it’s built by the community.
  
  can you point me in the direction to learn?
- Arch BTW?
  
  Hannah Montana Linux btw?
For one year.
They're not eligible to continue to get security updates after that (even though they'll still be doing them because businesses will).
How much for security updates for XP?
- The navy pays $9million a year for xp updates
  
  I want to meet the windows XP update team in 2024 😁
- My understanding is that the cost of Extended Security Updates (ESU) goes up every year.
Tbh sounds fair. I mean keeping systems secure is not cheap task . If we can kep using w10 without all the “free AI “ shit , is not bad . I mean they will get their income from w11 from it on users… From users data. They should add windows clean with the office subscription and a not clean option . I would not say free. We are used to think that free is better, but there are a lot of time invested in development and updates. Linux free distros are not so secure, they even do a statement you have to agree to use them. that’s why companies pay Read hat .
- Unless you pirated W10 it was not free. The price of laptop and PC hardware with Windows per-installed is subsidized.
OK Looks like my little MS Surface is going to be running Linux.
- I'm running Win 10 Ameliorated on mine. Manual driver installs were the only big hiccup. Works well otherwise, but it's not my daily driver.
  I can't really use Linux since my work is deeply embedded in Microsoft everything; I need OneDrive to work dependably.
Microsoft needs to sell its software (including OS) and they’ve always done so through manufacturers.
The average user, in their mind, doesn’t care about/want/have a choice for Windows, they just went to a shop to buy a computer, Windows was just on it. So for Microsoft, a public company who’s graphs need to keep going up forever, “increasing revenue from Windows” equates to “making people buy more computers” - this, in my opinion, is why they went down the TPM route (which consumers didn’t care about), and now, the “Copilot compatible” PC (whixh users don’t care about) routes. For the shareholders, you need a new computer, not an update to your existing one.
So this is where it gets interesting - a catch 22 for Microsoft - the average user doesn’t want a new computer (the internet works fine right), but Microsoft need their graphs to go up and they don’t want to work for free… BUT they can’t afford to have “Windows” become synonymous with “viruses” again (they bothered to make Windows defender for free for this reason), so if people don’t pay up, there could be millions of virus ridden computers and everyone will look for a new laptop “but not windows again” because of the viruses…
Mac instead? Maybe, but most laptops are sold for €300, not €1000+…
Current known, “safe consumer choice” brands (OEMs) and big box retailers are and will continue to be influenced/controlled/blackmailed by Microsoft’s license pricing and legal teams to maintain the status quo on the shelves and we’ll see what plays out.
This subscription talk then is big news, not just because of the controversy surround subscriptions generally, but because this could change the shape of supply and demand in the PC market significantly.
As always there won’t be one answer for everyone, but these are some ways it could play out.
Microsoft forgets the idea
Microsoft offers a free version supported by ads
Consumers pay up, even if it takes a generation
Consumers move to Apple
Major PC manufacturers and retailers spite Microsoft terms, and offer alternative OS’s
Smaller/new PC manufacturers rise, and offer alternative OS’s
Will people pay up? Will Chromebooks take over?
Or…
(Removes sunglasses)
…will 2025 be the year of the Linux desktop?
- Every year is the year of the linux desktop. Sure it has just as many problems as the others but it gets better every year and I certainly never felt the same about windows. Mac I don't have that reverse winding in my head that makes people find the apple UI's intuitive.
So.. Torrenting security patches will be a thing? That would be a bizarre usage of torrents I have to say
- I mean, this is nothing new.
  People pirate extended support all the time, just look at LTSB/LTSC.
  If ya dig enough you can probably find people Frankensteining patches from POSReady just so they can keep running Win7 lol
lol no
alright how do I switch to linux
- You embrace the Gospel of Truth from Sloppily Generated Arch Jesus.
- I'm a neanderthal. I barely know how computers work. I switched to Linux mint cinnamon a couple months ago. I'm a light user, mostly using word processing, internet, Foundry VTT to run games, and some light gaming via steam. I watched some YouTube videos and read some articles and just kinda sent it. It is offensively easy. I see no reason to go back to windows.
  There are some things that take getting used to, but the user interface is really similar to windows and I would argue is largely more functional.
  This video and this article helped a lot.
  Remember, I am dumb and I did it. You can do it.
At this point am gonna use linux.
Do we get a refund when it fails prove secure?
Time to pirate my Windows updates
You already paid for your OS? Too bad you're gonna pay again.
LMFAO, as if they won't end up piratable.
This is great. Can't wait to help everyone learn linux!
- What do you actually learn about Linux? How do those two differ?
  
  Just what you need to know to use it. Every OS is different. How to install it, install programs, troubleshoot problems, shortcuts and things to mske life easier.

41 comments