Microsoft will make Windows 9 free for users of previous versions of the operating system, including the already not support Windows XP, according to people familiar sources. Such a move will help the company from Redmond to keep up with Apple and attract users to the new platform-conservatives still prefer to use the old version of the OS.
Microsoft can go on a risky step to bolster its user base: give users older versions of Windows free upgrade to the next version of it, known as Windows 9. The reason for this may be the desire to entice corporations to the new OS the most conservative users still applying no longer support Windows XP.
The more users will use the products Microsoft, the easier it will be to resist the ever-increasing competition, experts say.
Rumors of a "free Windows 9" do not appear for the first time. Discussions on possible Microsoft's plans to offer users Windows XP, Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows 8 free upgrade to Windows 9 arose in June of this year due to post journalist portal ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley, regularly cognate to the latest information about upcoming updates to Microsoft. Now, however, this information was confirmed by several sources Foley.
If we consider the sector operating systems, the transition to a free software update is a trend, says the head of digital content J'son & Partners Robert Meliqsetyan.
Free upgrade operating systems - is not a new idea, but different developers implement it differently. For example, iOS initially updated free of charge, and last year the beginning of the free update and "reading» OS X. «Free upgrade offers Apple, about Linux and say nothing. Probably, Microsoft is trying to keep up with market changes and shift the focus to other monetization services "- suggests the analyst.
"It should not affect the financial performance of the corporation. Remember that the vast majority of the proceeds of Windows come from two sources - License Windows, bought large equipment manufacturers for new devices, and corporate licensing, "- said a former senior designer and general manager of Microsoft Hal Berenson, noting that this is only his personal opinion, rather than data from official sources.
Recall that the second update of the latest version of the OS, Windows 8.1, released on August 12 , but it will be a minor update. According to unconfirmed reports, the release of Windows 9 can be held in the spring of 2015.