14 DAY TRIAL // The world of Windows comes down to just Windows 10 these days, as Microsoft no longer plans to release new versions of the operating system but only feature updates for Windows 10 itself.
With Windows migrating to what is being called Windows as a Service, the software giant’s long-term strategy for the OS basically includes two such feature updates released every year, one which would be focused on polishing the experience and bug fixes.
With Windows 7 already retired and Microsoft only supporting Windows 8.1 and Windows 10, it’s very clear that moving everyone to the latter is the company’s only way to go right now.
And truth be told, switching to Windows 10 is the best decision everyone committed to the Windows world can make, as this is the only version that guarantees continued support and security patches.
And yet, migrating to Windows 10 isn’t just a matter of clicks. For companies, for example, upgrading from a previous Windows version to Windows 10 also involves other costs, such as hardware upgrades that would allow them to benefit from the latest features added to the OS.
For consumers the transition is a lot smoother because in their case, the whole thing comes down to a simple migration from old Windows to new Windows.
For everyone, however, a Windows 10 license is necessary. And despite Microsoft’s ambitious plan of bringing everyone to Windows 10, the OS doesn’t come cheap. In the United States, this is how it costs right now:
- Windows 10 Home - $139.00
- Windows 10 Pro - $199.99
- Windows 10 Pro for Workstations - $309.00
A suggestion posted in the Feedback Hub app on Windows 10 calls for Microsoft to make Windows 10 cheaper for the very simple reason that the OS must be available for everybody. Which is what Microsoft too wants in the first place.
“People already spend lots of money on their computers to either buy, or more importantly, build one. Most people just download windows and leave it without activation. You guys make enough money anyway, what's the point of windows costing this much?” someone says in a post in the Feedback Hub.
“What do you gain from this besides more money to bathe in? If you won't make it free, make Windows 10 Home $10, and Windows 10 Pro $35, and you will probably end up making more money out of it, because more people will actually buy it, as will I,” the user adds, calling for Microsoft to make the operating system more affordable for everybody.
What’s very important to know is that Windows 10 was actually offered as a free upgrade for everyone running Windows 7 and 8.1 if the switch was performed in the first year after Windows 10 launched.
On the other hand, while this upgrade promo has technically come to an end, free upgrades are still possible these days for obvious reasons. And yes, Windows 7 product keys can still be used to activate Windows 10, so as long as you own a genuine Windows 7 license, you’re good to go on Windows 10 too. In other words, Windows 10 already is free for all, but should Microsoft make it completely free and allow everyone to get it?
At the end of the day, Windows 10 Home costing $139 is something that some find ridiculous, especially because as said, Windows 10 is the only way to go for Windows users in the long term.
And this is why we’re asking you: should Windows 10 be cheaper? What’s the correct price for a Windows 10 Home license to convince you to upgrade?
Let us know what you think in the box after the jump.