Personally, I will stay with Windows. 

So what happens if you choose not to subscribe ? Your PC  stops loading Windows ??

That's the question, Andy. 

If you're lucky you'll be able to roll back to W7. If not, "Welcome to Linux" or MacOS, because W7 will not be supported after 2020, if I remember correctly.

Well, if I didn't want 10 for free why would I fork out ducats to purchase it later?

I'll stick with Win7 for as long as possible and cross that other bridge when I have to.

I would stay with Windows, but the version would depend on the ongoing costs. 

I would certainly NOT pay $84 a year to run Win10 on any of my PCs, so if they go with that model, I would revert the ones I could, and see about Win8x for the others. 

I'd rather pay a $100 one-time fee for Win8.1 from Newegg, than "rent" an OS for a monthly rate from MS.

Just watch out for the involuntary "Voluntary" upgrades.

I really don't think Microsoft could force people who upgraded to Windows 10 for free to pay a fee to continue to use it. That would seem highly irresponsible, if not totally illegal to me. 

Oh LightStar, no one give crap away for free, there is always a catch.  That's the catch, all W10 users will eventually pay.  Its called Greed.

I rolled back to Windows 7 after trying Win 10. I was having some strong issues with Microsoft over a  product key and Windows CD that I bought legitimately online from a reputable company. I felt like I was being extorted by Microsoft. What is being described in this thread sounds like extortion to me. I'll stick with my Windows 7. It works great and I don't miss Win 10 one little bit. If enough people do this, I think Microsoft would have to rethink their approach if they want Win 10 to be anywhere near successful.     -- Ace --

It rubs the Win10 on its skin or else it gets the hose again...

As of today:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows

bottom of page:

* Windows Offer Details

Yes, free! This upgrade offer is for a full version of Windows 10, not a trial.

______________________________________________

I expect no surprises on existing installations,  Who knows what pricing models MS or anyone else may choose to use in the future.

The Microsoft business model is to sell Windows pre-installed on new computers. That's how they charge consumers for Windows.

I have a hard time seeing that regular consumers would pay a subscription fee for something that comes pre-installed and is necessary for operation. What if you buy a computer for someone else: Should you hand that person a payment plan?

No pre-installed OS comes with a subscription. Apple, Google and Microsoft all charge for software by tying it to hardware.

If Apple and Google can't do it, I don't think Microsoft can do it either. Think about this: Not even Apple can force their users to pay a subscription for software. Instead they make hardware "obsolete" by deteriorating software performance.

Windows is competing with Android/ChromeOS, MacOS/iOS and to a lesser extent Linux. Windows can not become "the OS that you have to pay for". It's bad marketing. Microsoft realizes this and bets on data-collection/ads instead.

For consumers I don't think Windows subscription will happen unless Apple and Google also move to subscription software.

There is a big difference between OS (necessary software) subscription and other optional software subscriptions (MS Office, Adobe Creative Cloud, Stardock Object Desktop etc.)

I didn't say it was a trial. I'm asking what happens at the end of the year? 

"Yes, free! This upgrade offer is for a full version of Windows 10, not a trial. 3GB download required; internet access fees may apply. To take advantage of this free offer, you must upgrade to Windows 10 within one year of availability. Once you upgrade, you have Windows 10 for free on that device."

Right...but what about updates...patches, etc. Will you get them, or, will you have to subscribe to get them?

I'm not saying you will or won't have to subscribe...just wondering.

If you do have to subscribe, then what will you do?

My personal favorite on the net has always been "download for free!"...LOL Personally I could care less if/when they stop supporting W7...wouldn't matter to me one bit...it will still work as well as it does right now. I still have a pc with XP on it as well, and when those die...well I'll probably check out with them.

MS will most definitely find a way to make you pay...that's what it's always been about...and they are really good at sucking you all in and making you pay...because you know you just gotta have it.