So you’re saying Microsoft has such a dominant market position that they should just drop prices to $120 for everyone, including OEMs, so there’s no need to track anymore? I don’t expect this to happen anytime soon. The backlash will be very difficult for Microsoft.

Linux is not actually an alternative to Windows for many users, but I think it can become an alternative to Windows in many cases as long as it is really necessary (read: Microsoft makes Windows too expensive) and companies will invest real money in user-friendly developments. With the user base generated by OEM builds, many programs will also develop Linux versions.

Looking at my computer myself, I see Adobe and Microsoft software, my AutoHotKey scripts, and gaming peripherals/RGB software as the only issues currently poorly supported on Linux. Moreover, much of the software on my computer can simply be run in a web browser or there is already a good Linux alternative for it. I’ve also heard (I still use Windows myself) that many games can run really well on Linux via Proton.

When I hear from people who want a computer, it’s for one thing: the office. They also have no interest in an alternative like Libre.

I can still use Google Docs/Sheets/Shows if really needed (Sheets often lag a bit behind Excel in my experience, but for casual users it’s more than enough). Moreover, there are still many students, and more and more companies are using Google Group.

All of the above problems can be solved very well if they are really necessary. But Microsoft is counting on people knowing Windows and that the software does well to sell it. We find it annoying when adding a new feature that is standard on the taskbar. But when I look at the average person, they don’t notice it at all or use it with pleasure. We know where the button is to hide these functions or we do a single Google search to find a script that removes it immediately.

And besides, it doesn’t really matter how *Microsoft* can do it. They decided to do it this way and it seems to work for them. Our discussion of privacy here won’t affect Microsoft’s business model, and there aren’t enough people willing to pay more for more privacy in Windows to change it.