Free (Gratis) Version of Windows Could Be a Reality Soon

An anonymous reader writes "Microsoft is exploring whether to release a free version of Windows to increase the number of computers using the latest operating system. Currently the company seems to be testing a new version of the OS called 'Windows 8.1 with Bing', which will include Microsoft's key modern apps and services."

Just take the DRM out...

[ArcadeNut]

Keep charging for Windows, but remove the Product Activation and "Genuine Advantage" crap. Then let the pirates go wild. People will Pirate it thinking they are getting something for Nothing, and those that still pay for Windows, will be gravy for you.

Re:Is Win 8.1 that bad?

[Tough Love]

And what if even the free version is a failure? Can't give it away...

It'll be short-lived

[Torin Darkflight]

If Microsoft does indeed go through with a truly "free" version of Windows, I anticipate that it won't be long until they panic and decide to kill it because "it's diluting their profits from Windows". That's what happened to the free (and admittedly quite limited) version of Office 2010 they put out. As restricted as Office Starter was compared to the retail version, it was still "good enough" for many people, myself included. This supposedly began eroding their profits for Office. By the time Office 2013 came around, they had decided that they didn't like the idea of having a free version of a flagship product eating into potential sales, so they axed it. I imagine a free version of Windows would meet the same short-lived fate. Yes, I agree with the general consensus that Windows 8.x is terrible compared to 7 or even Vista. BUT, just like with Office Starter, there will be many people for which a free version of Windows, restrictions and all, is "good enough" for them. This will eat into their sales of Windows even further (If that's even possible at this point considering the failure that is Windows 8), and they'll panic and decide to axe it to forcefully regain their flow of income.

With all that said, I will admit I'm curious to see how this plays out re: their method of releasing a free version of Windows. With Office Starter, it was (officially) only available pre-installed on new computers and (technically) could not be downloaded. If they release free Windows as a downloadable ISO, that might garner a little more adoption, but not much considering Win8's reputation. But, if they go the same route they took with Office Starter and make it only available on new computers, then really the only benefit would be a lower-priced PC, albeit with the added cost of having to deal with ads. Kinda like what Amazon has done with certain models of the Kindle.

Free 8.1?

[no-body]

update on top of W8 that is..

Experience so far:

Acrobat reader crashes reliably
Essential VPN in VMware images no longer works.

Consequence:
Restore W 8 from backup

Cost? Lots of time lost on this BS!

Maybe they need to give it away for free so people are less upset if they get burnt - you get what you pay for and get sucked on with ads and/or giving up your privacy.

Ah - and this BING desktop or whatever it is was never installed.

Re:Kinda funny

[Lumpy]

" you can't just install linux as the ONLY OS for grandma and expect them to never call you back."

Why? I did and it works so far.... she called back a couple of times and once she figured out that she really does not want to install "coupon Printer.exe" because that is what infected her computer last time.... All was good.

She wanted to upgrade to something smaller, I got her a chrome book. All is happy and right in the world.