>"Thinking realistically, every software I use with the notable exception of Windows and DaVinci Resolve switched to a subscription model. If Microsoft doesn't do that and pushes its OneDrive and 365 subs via the task bar every now and then I'm personally okay with that. Better than paying $$$ every month just to use the OS."
OneDrive and Office is the subscription for Windows. Having worked in a repair shop I can tell you that the layperson thinks the OS is synonymous with "their data" and "their applications." If you said to them verbatim that you're "reinstalling their OS", and you give them back a computer with all their "Recently Used" menus empty, missing programs, all default settings, browser favorites are gone, their Outlook PST is missing, and the Office Key you ripped off the machine was an OEM license that won't activate through normal channels: that individual is going to be very cross with you.
Turns out it's really hard to sell retail customers "nothing for something", and to the average person an empty Windows install is useless. Gate their productivity suite (input) and storage (output) behind a subscription, though, and suddenly you have a customer hooked for life.
I've also seen this playout with Apple Users: their iCloud subscription lapses, or their storage on the free tier runs out, and it stops syncing photos and videos. Eventually the phone takes a dive in the ocean, or a toilet, or just dies of old age. The user goes to the Apple store and is emotionally devastated when they sign in to iCloud on their new phone only to find it is missing the last year of their life. Users aren't going to swear off Apple products, the backup and usability story on Android is a nightmare by comparison, they're just going to let the Genius Bar upsell them into the $2.99 protection racket.
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It's also worth noting that Windows Enterprise is already a subscription. To use Enterprise (GA servicing channel) you need to have an Windows E3/E5 license, or active Software Assurance. The problem is these subscriptions only work because Microsoft has the power to audit VL customers, and those customers tend to have the pockets to pay up remediation or legal fees. _The only reason Windows Home/Pro are not subscriptions is because Microsoft never figured out the economics of auditing retail consumers._
If consumers are leasing their storage and programs from you, though, it turns out you don't need to audit them.
OneDrive and Office is the subscription for Windows. Having worked in a repair shop I can tell you that the layperson thinks the OS is synonymous with "their data" and "their applications." If you said to them verbatim that you're "reinstalling their OS", and you give them back a computer with all their "Recently Used" menus empty, missing programs, all default settings, browser favorites are gone, their Outlook PST is missing, and the Office Key you ripped off the machine was an OEM license that won't activate through normal channels: that individual is going to be very cross with you.
Turns out it's really hard to sell retail customers "nothing for something", and to the average person an empty Windows install is useless. Gate their productivity suite (input) and storage (output) behind a subscription, though, and suddenly you have a customer hooked for life.
I've also seen this playout with Apple Users: their iCloud subscription lapses, or their storage on the free tier runs out, and it stops syncing photos and videos. Eventually the phone takes a dive in the ocean, or a toilet, or just dies of old age. The user goes to the Apple store and is emotionally devastated when they sign in to iCloud on their new phone only to find it is missing the last year of their life. Users aren't going to swear off Apple products, the backup and usability story on Android is a nightmare by comparison, they're just going to let the Genius Bar upsell them into the $2.99 protection racket.
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It's also worth noting that Windows Enterprise is already a subscription. To use Enterprise (GA servicing channel) you need to have an Windows E3/E5 license, or active Software Assurance. The problem is these subscriptions only work because Microsoft has the power to audit VL customers, and those customers tend to have the pockets to pay up remediation or legal fees. _The only reason Windows Home/Pro are not subscriptions is because Microsoft never figured out the economics of auditing retail consumers._
If consumers are leasing their storage and programs from you, though, it turns out you don't need to audit them.