Microsoft mulls over launching free version of Windows 8.1
In a bid to increase the user base of Windows 8.1, Microsoft is thinking about releasing a free version of the operating system (OS), according to The Verge. The report also said the tech firm may sell the OS for a very low price, wrote VentureBeat.
In the event that Windows becomes free, Microsoft may focus more on service add-ons to make up for the money gap. The company is also considering Bing as its future source of revenue, the report stated.
ZDNet reports that a Windows leaker named WZor revealed that the company is testing monetization strategies with an updated version of Windows 8.1. The said experiment is focused on "Windows 8.1 with Bing," the report citing the leaker said.
Should Microsoft ultimately decide to give away Windows for free, it will have to decide if it will start taking fees for the other services bundled with the OS or not. The services in question include OneDrive, Xbox music streaming, other Bing services, and Office apps, the report detailed.
Microsoft has yet to comment on this news about Windows 8.1, VentureBeat reported.
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