Decade in review: Windows as a Service, and why it was a game changer in the 2022s

For my product of the decade, I want to highlight something that I don't recollect many people would consider to be that big of a deal. Still, it is: Windows equally a Service is a considerable change in how Microsoft develops, tests, and releases Windows as a product to the globe. Ten years ago, the thought that Microsoft would be able to update Windows with a full new version of the OS in one case or twice a yr was fiction. Windows is as well old and heavy to update like a lightweight mobile platform, but that'due south precisely what Microsoft has achieved in the last five years.

Information technology's not something that many people think about, but Windows as a Service affects every person who uses a Windows 10 PC today. Gone are the days of falling behind the times with an old version of Windows, as Windows as a Service means yous're eligible for the latest version of Windows, for costless, for as long every bit your PC is compatible. Information technology'south as well a substantial architectural change nether the hood. Transforming a legacy Os into something that can exist upgraded to a new version of the Bone every half-dozen months is nothing to snuff at.

And that doesn't fifty-fifty include how it has inverse things internally for those who build the Os. In the by, engineers working on a new version of Windows had an incredibly long fourth dimension to do it. A new version of Windows typically had a three-yr development bicycle. Yet, with Windows every bit a Service, new versions of Windows get around about a twelvemonth of development time, sometimes even less if at that place are ii pregnant updates in the aforementioned year.

Information technology's a game-changer for Windows

This allows Microsoft to greenlight new features and take them shipped to customers inside a year. If Windows every bit a Service didn't exist, Microsoft'southward response time for getting new features out the door that customers are request for would be years. That's too long of a look when the contest is releasing new features every single year. This doesn't even factor in the role where customers would have to buy the latest version of Windows and upgrade the Bone themselves.

That's why Windows every bit a Service is then integral to Windows and is my pick for the product of the decade. Without Windows as a Service, Windows as a product would accept fallen into irrelevancy very rapidly. Existence able to update Windows to a new version of the OS, automatically, without the user having to retrieve about it, and without the OS messing up, is a huge deal.

Now, the move to Windows equally a Service hasn't been an entirely smooth ride. Microsoft has definitely had issues with quality balls with some of the new versions of Windows it has released under Windows as a Service. Even so, Microsoft is learning and improving in this expanse. There was always going to exist issues along the fashion, as turning a legacy Os into a platform that can be updated similar a modernistic OS is a real challenge. Just I'd say Windows every bit a Service is a skilful thing equally a whole.

Let'south hear from y'all

What are your thoughts on Windows every bit a Service? Has it made an bear upon on Microsoft and Windows? Let united states of america know in the comments.

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An internet connection will soon be required when setting up Windows 11 Pro

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An internet connection volition soon be required when setting upwardly Windows 11 Pro

Microsoft has announced that later on this year, users will be required to connect to the internet and sign-in with a Microsoft Account during the out of box setup experience on Windows eleven Pro. Microsoft has already been enforcing this requirement on Windows 11 Home since launch last Oct, and Windows 11 Pro is now expected to follow suit soon.