Will Windows 12 be a subscription service?

Unless Microsoft changes its plans at the last minute, Windows 12 It will appear in 2024 and will bring a surprise: may be offered by subscription. This follows from what the German media published. Deskmodderwhich found references to the specified distribution method in the configuration file in the most recent Windows 11 Canary channel update.

By analyzing the slmgr.ini file and the slmgr.vbs function of the version from which software keys are managed, there were mentions of subscription type, status and issue. This has sparked speculation about how Windows 12 will be released and whether you will have to pay a monthly fee to use it.

Of course, this issue should be taken with a grain of salt, given that many features or capabilities included in development channels usually do not make it to the final version of the software. However, the idea of ​​subscribing to Windows 12 doesn’t seem crazy.

Microsoft already offers its other products under this model, the most famous of which is Office 365. Although we should forget about Windows 365which allows you to set up and use virtual desktops directly from your web browser for a monthly fee.

Windows 12 subscription rumors are growing

Another interesting point that can confirm the launch of Windows 12 by subscription will be its modular nature. In March last year, it became known that Microsoft would return to the path of Windows Core OS with a project called CorePC. This will allow Redmond to segment operating system features and release them based on available hardware.

For example, computers with lower performance could only access the software’s basic functions, ensuring optimal performance despite component limitations. While the most powerful computers could choose which other operating system modules to turn on as needed.

In this scenario, offering the basic version of Windows 12 for free with additional items available through subscription, doesn’t sound crazy. It is unclear whether this will be the only version of the next operating system available or not.

Deskmodder it is implied that this is Windows 12 will coexist with regular software versions. This means that users can pay for a single license to activate all OS features on their computers. At least for now, of course.

It’s also important to consider that Microsoft will make a very important bet on the cloud and artificial intelligence in Windows 12. Which is not surprising, given that both aspects are gaining more and more dominance in Windows 11. Therefore, implementing subscription features should not be too difficult.

If Redmond continues with this strategy, It will be interesting to see how this affects OEMs and their Windows-based PCs.. Will Windows 12 be free in its most basic format to reduce hardware costs? How limited will the options be without a subscription? Will ads be shown to those who choose not to pay? At the moment these are unanswered questions. We will closely monitor the news.