Bingo!

It was always believed that Windows OS was a “loss leader” for Microsoft.

Windows OS will never show a profit, when you take into account the development and testing time and effort. I mean, a one time purchase that’s expected to be supported for years!?!

Side note: This also explains why Windows 11 is de-evolving into an AI generated, ad ridden, telemetry gathering, cesspool of an OS (“we gotta make money somehow - think of the share holders”)

But, what Windows had done is create a platform for Microsoft to upsell (and vendor lock-in) profitable applications like Office, Outlook, Teams, etc.

However, that business model doesn’t work anymore. As, all of Microsoft’s products are now in the cloud. They’re all subscription bases, which means predictable and indefinite revenue. User’s don’t need to be running on Windows - they just need a web-browser or thin-client. Microsoft already has people (brainwashed into) wanting Office - they don’t need to _force _ people into trying Office.

tl;dr: Developing and supporting Windows OS is a financial drain for Microsoft, and they’re doing everything they can to scuttle it.

been saying that was the goal for over a decade.

As far as I know only Lenovo is offering to omit the Windows licence off some of their computers, but only if you buy online of course.

Dell might do a similar thing for enterprise customers, I actually don’t know.

Not really. Most computers are sold off a shelf at a big box store, pre-configured and ready to go. The license for windows is flashed onto the hardware, so the staff doesn’t really have a way to remove it from the computer.

The problem there is Windows still has negative cost for OEMs due to all the bloatware they bundle.

They get paid for that McAfee and Epic Games icon.

The Framework laptops have been selling out with backlog orders now. But with new models recently out, all the Linux ones sold out well before the Windows ones.

I think it just kind of goes to say, if you know a bit about computers, Linux is a go-to. Of course those that are a bit tech-savvy as well would just get a Windows one, clear it off and install the distro of their choice. Plus once upgrade is done, my OS and files are all there like nothing happened. Things like setting up Windows again on a new device or new install is like a full day task.

OEMs: Sorry, best I can do is tripling the amount of pre-installed bloatware that I get kickbacks on, to not only offset the cost but raise profits more

Here in Brazil, a lot of vendors are offering laptops with linux, but they do this just to offer a lower price, and put the most weird distro possible, that no one knew existed, so everyone who buys have to install their own os. The bad thing about it is that it creates a really bad first impression about linux on common users, who mostly end up asking the tech person from the family to install windows for them

They used to have agreements to make it difficult to do so. I don’t know if that’s still the case but it’s pretty awful. I think OEMs had to pay licenses for every machine shipped regardless if it had a windows license.

The other issue is that oems have a large amount of compatibility and support built up over the years for windows. They also know their customers can deal with Microsoft for “support” and ignore driver and support costs for whatever distro of Linux they were to choose.

Sure an OEM could lead the way and show everyone else the path to freedom but think of the shareholders

they actually make money on many of those windows preinstalls due to all the bullshit they get paid to put on.

Linus better be watching it, or I’m switching to TempleOS

That’s twice as much as I was paying, I’m going to write a strongly worded email to that penguin guy

Flatpak and Snap be like: Yes, we’ll double the RAM…

Someone has to pay for all that Microslop copilot bs and it’s just not enough with the intended customers

They’re doing it to cover the losses on the same AI investments that spiked RAM prices.

That LLM response from the search bar when you were just searching for a file? That’s not free, we have to pay for that! If you didn’t want it you shouldn’t have accidentally triggered it by needing to search for a file. That’s on you.

this is the next logical step. raise the ‘price’ of ‘regular’ windows and systems with windows…

so the subscription looks like a ‘good’ deal.

How did you get their secret plans for Windows 12?

Perfect analogy!