Win10 is free for Win 8 users, Win 7 needs to pay

Computer store news: It is rumored that Microsoft may provide Windows as a service, but there are still many unresolved issues. The idea is mainly that Microsoft has already sold the Office suite through a subscription-based payment model, so this model can also be applied to the Windows operating system. However, analysts said that this situation will not appear for the time being, at least Windows 10 will not adopt this sales model.

Gregg Moskowitz, an analyst at research firm Cowen, said that although registering for an annual subscription to Office is not difficult, it can be done on a variety of devices, including PCs or mobile phones. Ways to copy to complex software or even critical operating system sales may be more difficult. Moskowitz also analyzed that the subscription to Windows sales model is not easy for companies to accept, because the cumulative cost of subscriptions is higher than the cost of one-time purchases, after all, the latter can be used for a long time after purchase. At present, many large companies generally believe that the process of upgrading systems or software is cumbersome and costly, so his point of view is not surprising.

Cowen also expects Microsoft to offer Windows 10 for free for Windows 8 and 8.1 customers. Windows 8 has been criticized for the discordant transition between traditional desktops and Modern UI. Windows 8.1 has improved this situation, so Microsoft may provide a free upgrade for these customers to achieve the purpose of appeasement.

And those Windows 7 customers, currently occupying more than half of the Windows user base, as well as earlier versions of Windows operating system users, may have to pay to upgrade to Windows 10. Given the market share of Windows 7, and Microsoft still positioning Windows 10 as a profitable operating system, Windows 7 users should not expect a significant discount on upgrading Windows 10.