Win10: The Last Windows

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Microsoft, under Nadella's leadership, is undergoing a radical change to adapt to the mobile Internet computing trend in the post-PC era. Nadella is abandoning the old practice of selling "disc package software" and turning all Microsoft software into online services.

According to the American technology news website TheVerge, at the Microsoft Ignite conference held in Chicago, USA recently, a Microsoft executive publicly announced that Windows 10 will be the new Windows.

At the conference, Jerry Nixon, Microsoft's top evangelist for the developer community, told attendees: "Now, Microsoft is preparing to release Windows 10, because Windows 10 will be the last version of Windows, so we are still continuing to improve the Windows 10 system."

*** A version of Windows - Was this statement a slip of the tongue? When the media asked for confirmation, a Microsoft spokesperson did not deny Nixon's statement.

The spokesperson said that the recent statement about Windows 10 at Ignite actually reflects Microsoft's new thinking on Windows software. In the future, Windows will be provided as a software service, adding innovative features and upgrades in a regular manner.

However, the spokesperson also said that it is difficult to say whether the Windows brand will change in the future.

American technology media pointed out that the so-called Windows 10 will be the last Windows, representing a major transformation of Windows from one-time sales of packaged software to regular online application services. Windows software will not die, but the practice of releasing major new versions every few years and the "version number" will be eliminated from the stage of history.

Microsoft is a software company founded by Gates in the era of personal computers (and the first pure software company in the world's history). Its current software business bears the distinct imprint of the PC era. For example, Windows and Office will release a new version every few years, which is mainly sold to users in one go through CD-ROM software packages or enterprise licenses.

The basic version of Windows 8 starts at over $100. The CD-ROM software upgrades every few years have also become a considerable financial burden for Microsoft software users.

Previously, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and other senior executives have clearly stated on different occasions the direction of the transformation of Microsoft's software business - that is, the transformation from "CD-ROM software" to "software services". More importantly, all software services will be converted to a "free value-added" model, that is, basic functions will be provided free of charge, while advanced functions will require annual or monthly payment.

Currently, Microsoft has launched free Office software for Android and iOS users, and announced two free modes for Windows 8. As for the upcoming Windows 10, Microsoft announced that it will be free to upgrade within *** years of its release.

Just a few days ago, Microsoft released its first quarter financial report. Nadella told analysts that he hopes that all users of Microsoft software can become long-term subscribers with annual payments, rather than one-time purchases.

If Windows becomes a service, users will get continuous upgrades, and the concept of version numbers will gradually fade. Take Google's web browser Chrome as an example. Google continues to add new features and release new versions, but users no longer care about which version of Chrome they are using, but only care about whether they have upgraded to the latest version.

The media pointed out that in the future, Windows will be like Chrome. Users only need to keep updating it all year round, and no longer have to wait for several years like in the past, expecting Microsoft to release a major new version.

In addition, in the transformation from software to services, among Microsoft's two cash cow software, Office has gone ahead of Windows. Office has not only launched free mobile and tablet versions, but also launched a highly networked, monthly paid Office365 service package, which includes a web version that can be used online through a browser without downloading and installing.