What is the deal for Microsoft to distribute Windows 10 for free? – Financial Times

Belén López-Palop

The official launch of the new Windows 10 today is a milestone in the history of Microsoft. For the first time since it launched the first Windows, thirty years ago, the Redmond-based company offers millions of users a completely free version of its operating system.

Of the
1,500 million computers using the Microsoft system, it is expected that 80% will enjoy the free upgrade.

Microsoft
movement was inevitable in an industry where the standard is not paying by upgrading the operating system. Offering the software as a free upgrade, Microsoft is trying to make Windows more like Google’s Android and Apple iOS.

The firm eventually follow the footsteps of his rivals, but The decision comes at a price. According to FBR Capital Makers, the US will cease to enter in the first twelve months US $ 500 million with this decision.

This, however, amounts to a small part of the Windows business the bulk of which comes from billing called OEM business. sell the operating system that manufacturers include in their devices

Microsoft
The idea is to get quickly a large market for Windows 10 users it is expected to be monetized through the subsequent sale of software and services, a key movement in a time when Microsoft does not dominate the market for operating systems.

developers Seducing
addition, with Windows 10, Microsoft hopes to forget the mistakes of the previous version of the operating system, many companies ignored the finding that he was too focused on the consumer.

also use the software as a springboard into the world of touch computing. Making this transition is essential to regain a key group: software developers have flocked to Google and Apple, threatening to rob Windows its relevance in the world of technology that used to dominate

. > Microsoft hopes to attract developers of Windows with the promise of a new mass audience that begins in the PC but it has the potential to cover many different devices.

To do this, the company has standardized operating system and has made possible the creation of new “universal applications” that can run on any hardware that uses Windows.

News
During the first year after arrival, users of Windows 7 and 8.1 can upgrade for free to Windows 10, a system that accommodates both PCs and smartphones, through the Xbox console or virtual reality goggles.

The new OS
recover removed the Start Menu in Windows 8 will replace Internet Explorer with a new browser called Edge and introduce other features like voice assistant Cortana.