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As part of its cloud strategy, Redmond offers a subscription bundle called Microsoft 365, which packages Windows 10, Office 365, and Enterprise Mobility + Security (a device management suite) for business and enterprise environments. ZDNet’s Mary Jo Foley has learned Microsoft is planning something similar for consumers, which could include “some variant of Windows 10, Office 365 Home, Skype, Cortana, Bing, Outlook Mobile, Microsoft To-Do, and maybe MSN apps and services.” Some believe Microsoft has telegraphed their intention to make Windows a subscription product in the future.
As a number of readers have noted, Microsoft currently makes Windows 10 available for "free" when Windows ships on new PCs. I am NOT suggesting this consumer bundle is Microsoft's plan to do away with "free" Windows. I think M365 Consumer will be an option, not a requirement, just like M365 for business users is today. I've asked Microsoft for comment as to when Microsoft 365 Consumer might be available and what it will include. No word back so far.
As a number of readers have noted, Microsoft currently makes Windows 10 available for "free" when Windows ships on new PCs. I am NOT suggesting this consumer bundle is Microsoft's plan to do away with "free" Windows. I think M365 Consumer will be an option, not a requirement, just like M365 for business users is today. I've asked Microsoft for comment as to when Microsoft 365 Consumer might be available and what it will include. No word back so far.