Theoretically they could get in the same situation they were with XP and end up extending the support window if most business customers don't move. They may also go back on their comment that Windows 10 is the "last windows" and release another version of Windows in 2-3 years time (just within the Win 7 support timeframe).

However, most large business and government bodies will be looking to a move to Win 10 over the next 3-4 years. Anyone that has any sort of compliance requirement is going to have to be planning the move anyway.

In reply to a post by ian72:

They may also go back on their comment that Windows 10 is the "last windows" and release another version of Windows in 2-3 years time (just within the Win 7 support timeframe).

They don't necessarily need to release Windows 11. Since Windows 10 is the last Windows it can presumably evolve over time, and in contrast to previous versions the start menu (for example) can be radically redesigned in upcoming months or years in response to consumer feedback.

Edited by Oliver341 (Tue 15-Dec-15 13:16:06)

I know - but the question was whether people would have to upgrade to Win 10 but theoretically they could release a Win 11 and therefore companies could skip another version.

Interestingly despite MS saying it is "the last version" they do have an end of support date of 14/10/2025 which is in line with their previous support lifecycles. That suggests either someone didn't update the "rules" for lifecycle OR they don't expect it to be the last version OR they expect that after 2025 MS won't be doing a desktop OS.

EDIT - Corrected end of support date. Not my fault I'm so used to typing 2015

Edited by ian72 (Tue 15-Dec-15 13:44:26)

Last October? Are you sure?

In reply to a post by ian72:

Interestingly despite MS saying it is "the last version" they do have an end of support date of 14/10/2015 which is in line with their previous support lifecycles. That suggests either someone didn't update the "rules" for lifecycle OR they don't expect it to be the last version OR they expect that after 2025 MS won't be doing a desktop OS.

Yeah, doesn't make much sense to set a support end date when the next OS has not even been planned let alone released.

Oops. Corrected. Get so used to typing the current year...

They have a standard published lifecycle that all products are supposed to follow. XP was an exception. They are saying 10 is an exception but are still publishing dates following the "standard" lifecycle. That does also mean it will be in "extended support" from 13 October 2020 - that means it supposedly would get no functionality enhancements just patches for security and bugs. So, in fact the OS currently only has an active lifetime up till 2020.

Some organisations may have a policy to only use products in mainstream support and therefore would be looking for MS to be releasing a new product by end of 2018 at the latest to allow them time to upgrade. MS either need to change their lifecycle or admit they will be releasing new versions of Windows.

2 weeks and counting

In reply to a post by BatBoy:

2 weeks and counting

It will take at least 3 months before I stop writing 2015 on everything... Glad I don't write cheques any more!

In reply to a post by RobertoS:

Is Windows 10 something businesses will buy, having refused Windows 8? Or have Microsoft boobed again?

It seems to be a thoroughly rubbish product, given that the whole raison d'etre of Windows is windows themselves and the user interface.

The attempt all the time to move us away from movable window usage, nowadays essential for serious business use, is surely self-defeating.

We are still using XP at work, I think a lot of corporations will take a while to update to 10, but since it is the last Windows, so we are told, then eventually they will have to move to it or drop MS and go for Linux.
How I would love that to happen.