14 DAY TRIAL // India and Microsoft are close to reaching a deal on a substantial discount for Windows 10, as the country wants to encourage local users to upgrade to the new operating system following the most recent attacks like WannaCry ransomware.
At this point, more than 94 percent of the systems in India are running Windows, but only a small percentage is on Windows 10, which is said to be the most secure version of the operating system and the only one that protects systems against ransomware like WannaCry and Petya without emergency patches.
So what India hopes to achieve is a mass upgrade to Windows 10 that would eventually lead to smaller infection rates in the country, as more users would be protected against new hacks.
Specifics on how much Windows 10 could be discounted are not yet available, but according to a Reuters report, discussions on the price cut started after the WannaCry outbreak in May. At this point, Windows 10 Home costs 7,999 rupees ($124) in India, while the Pro SKU is priced at 14,999 rupees ($232).
Windows 10 still free, with a catch
Gulshan Rai, India's cyber security coordinator, said a deal is very close to be reached, though once again no details were provided, mostly because Microsoft might be involved in talks with other countries as well.
“The quantum of the price cut, we expect some detail on in a couple of days. It will be a one-time upgrade offer to Windows 10 and it will be a discounted price for the entire country,” the Indian official was quoted as saying.
This is without a doubt a win-win deal, with Microsoft clearly interested in making Windows 10 more affordable in the country because this helps the company boost adoption of its latest operating system.
Windows 10 was available as a free upgrade for Windows 7 and 8.1 users in the first 12 months after launch, but the OS can still be deployed free of charge as part of an offer aimed at users of accessibility features.
Microsoft is yet to release a statement on a possible deal with India and similar talks with other governments, but an announcement in this regard should be made shortly.