frankly, I'm surprised Microsoft hasn't already done this. They have an uncontested monopoly on PC operating systems, why aren't they doing anything about it?
When it happens, Windows subscriptions will probably be divvied up into a few tiers:
- Windows 11 Basic: free with extra ads. ads in the start menu. ads on your wallpaper. ads on your lockscreen. ad notifications. ads injected into webpages. etc. missing "advanced" functionality, such as having multiple user accounts, multi-monitor support, 3d acceleration, update delays, most configuration options, etc.
- Windows 11 Premium: Ads relegated back to start menu. 3d acceleration, configuration options, and multi-user mode re-enabled. Starts at $10/mo, includes OneDrive.
- Windows 11 Professional: Ads relegated back to start menu, personalization can be disabled. Multi-monitor support re-enabled, extended configuration options are exposed, allows for removal of some pre-included software, and updates can be delayed for up to 7 days. starts at $20/mo, includes OneDrive.
- Windows 11 Enterprise: Same as above but more expensive because it's for institutions. Enables some features that sysadmins care about, starts at $50/mo, does not include OneDrive.
Here's the thing: they have already done this for businesses, they've just not rolled it out to the consumer side yet
(and of course, on the enterprise side, they can always twist the knife just a little more - because at this point, what are you going to do, not have Teams or Exchange Online?)
i've already made the decision that none of my personal devices will ever run 11, so subscription pricing would just lock that decision in more - but I do have to wonder what it would take to get enterprises to switch to something else as their main OS, given that Group Policy alone is still some pretty powerful lock-in.
But MS is increasingly more and more willing to break Group Policy (and user expectations for everyone else) to try and promote Edge or Bing - within the last few months, there's been the huge Discover button even if the sidebar is disabled, the announcement that links from Outlook will now open in Edge regardless of what the default browser is, and highlighting anything in Edge bringing up the option to search with Bing regardless of your default.
