Want to get a Windows 10 machine, but don’t want it filled with unwanted trials and demos? You might be able to get it at a fraction of the cost.
In a dynamic market where global PC sales are declining and more work is shifting to the cloud, how can the maker of the world’s go-to operating system stay in the green?
Microsoft’s current business model is much different from the future of their technology. They’ve been moving towards cloud-connected systems that are paid for through subscriptions and ads.
We both know that a lot of Reg readers must be very excited and want to be the first to get their hands on a new Windows machine that is ad-supported. We’ll have to wait, though. Microsoft may only be “thinking about it” at this point.
A number of job postings, including now-closed ads for a principal software engineering manager and a senior program manager, are looking for people to join the “newly formed Windows Incubation team” that has gone from “building one operating system (OS) to having six.” Their mission is to “build a new direction” for Windows in a cloud-first world.
One of the goals Microsoft has for Windows is to make the operating system available on demand and create a hybrid app model that spans from on-premises to the cloud. This includes building a Web-based shell with direct integration with Windows 365.
Windows 11 is running on less than 1/6th of all PCs
Microsoft wants people to have access to their PCs no matter what. That’s why they’ve created the Windows 365 package, which brings Cloud and Local PCs together.
With the introduction of Microsoft Cloud PCs, now you can get an affordable, reliable computer without breaking the bank. These Cloud PCs are priced between $20 and $158 a month.
Yep! Windows Autopatch is live and can fix cloudy PCs.
Microsoft explains the Windows-as-a-service model for software
One of the possible models is low-cost PCs available through subscriptions, with advertising offsetting some of the cost. (Also mentioned in that job posting are direct-to-cloud devices.)
This is a dictionary rewriter.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella hinted at this on analyst comments following Microsoft’s October 25 release of its Q1 FY23 numbers.
In an interview with CNBC, Nadella said they always think about the long term because they’re always trying to develop innovative services. One of their goals going forward is to focus on moving ads through their own platforms.
Windows 11 already promotes certain apps by putting them in the Start menu, and there have been reports that ads briefly showed up in March during some File Explorer tests.
While Microsoft grew during the COVID-19 pandemic, one big opportunity for their business is to pursue internet businesses. Microsoft already dominates these industries, and there’s plenty to be gained in them.
There’s no denying that delivering ads to Windows business users and consumers may impact engagement.
Windows revenue was down for Microsoft during the first quarter. But, Windows commercial products and cloud services were up by 8%, thanks to demand for their Microsoft 365 E5 suite of apps.
As an accountant in Redmond, you might be interested in changing over to Microsoft’s cloud-based Windows strategy. The change would allow them to rely less on expensive PCs to sell the operating system, which would appeal to investors by creating another option for cloud-based content distribution with a service like Microsoft 365.
Windows 365 launched 12 months ago and is currently only open to professionals and business users. But maybe in the future, they’ll open it up to consumers so they can access their cloud applications on an internet connection and experience the joy of accompanying ads (please, don’t rush!). Windows.
