"Frankly we've got some stuff to figure out, because the OEM has a device life, we've got the software life and we've got to navigate that [difference]. We're not aligned today; they have like one year and we have 15. We have to find our way there. We're not sure yet how to frame the outer years of this – we need to do that and we'll do that. Our strategic intent hopefully is clear though – to keep devices up to date."
He believes businesses want to keep PCs up to date, rather than sticking with Patch Tuesday and skipping every other version of Windows, the way many do today. "Security is a huge deal. Keeping these devices current is the best way to keep them secure. Today we have synchronised these patches on a patch Tuesday cadence. When you're connected to Windows as a Service you're going to be getting things sooner, and you're going to be more secure."
He also thinks users will demand it. "When you talk to these end users who are using enterprise devices they want to be current, they want the latest features and functionality. Frankly, we're optimistic."
Of course that means updates have to be stable, which hasn't always happened over the last few months. "It does put a burden on us to be reliable. It's actually a simpler model for us to execute on and that simplicity always does create quality in the long run." Part of that simplicity is getting more people using the same version of Windows.
Persuading customers to upgrade
Myerson promises more details soon, but he wants people to get used to the idea first. "We'll be sharing a lot more on the enterprise servicing model and approach in the coming weeks. We just had to get out the notion of Windows as a Service before we could say 'this is how it works with a long-term branch versus an up-to-date branch'."
He's not ready to talk about the release date or the price of Windows 10 yet, though. "We don't want to box ourselves in," he said. "We're trying to get it out this year." On price, he suggests "you can assume it will be like the Windows 7 to Windows 8 or XP to 7 [pricing]. There's plenty of historical precedent – $25, $50 sort of thing."
But Myerson is more interested in talking about the features than the price. "That's not even our focus – our focus is to get our customers to move to Windows 10."
