Windows 365 was never in the Microsoft’s plans and probably never will…

Windows 8.1 final version. This is an image of the Start screen

Despite recently rumors, Windows 365 is not in Microsoft’s plans. If you remember, not too long ago we heard rumors of Microsoft creating a subscription-based version of Windows with features and options very similar to Office 365. The information we had pointed out that this new Windows as a service would be called “Windows 365”. Now a new report from ZDNet reveals that the software giant isn’t working or planning to deliver such product. 

The reason why a Windows subscription wouldn’t work is easy to understand, just ask this question: how many times on the life of a particular PC consumers actually buy a new copy of Windows? The answer is almost never… Unless, of course, you’re a tech enthusiasts who likes to have the latest and greatest every time. 

Also we have to put in prospective all the changes Microsoft is already making to license Windows. We already heard from the company that will be making Windows Phone and Windows 8.1 free for phone and PC makers for devices under 9 inches. Furthermore, we even heard the new Windows 8.1 with Bing SKU, which could potentially be another option for manufacturers to pre-load Windows at really low-cost or even free (we still don’t know the final decision). 

“Windows is a platform, not a service.” And as Microsoft keeps betting on cloud services, such as Windows Azure, OneDrive, Office 365, Xbox Live, Bing, Skype, Xbox Music, and others, which is really where the money is, Windows could just fade out to just being an enabler to get access to these cloud services, and it wouldn’t be hard to think that Windows could become a free operating system in the future. 

Windows 365 never existed and probably never will…

About the author

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.