Might have something to do with Windows 7 still having a bigger market share than windows 10
And if they let it get too far behind without support, they're going to slowly lose all of that to Linux distros
If people didn't want to accept windows 10 for free, they sure aren't going to pay for it
That's false, currently Windows 10 market share is bigger than windows 7 and still growing.
February 2019:
Win 10: 54.78%
Win 7: 33.89%
Win 8.1: 6.55%
Win 8: 2.17%
Win XP: 1.97%
Win Vista: 0.56%
I could make arguments about why W7 is worse than W10 (and also, why W10 have it's cons), but there is no point. Choice is free, it's just the security side of things as of why at some point sticking with W7 wouldn't be wise. Is it pushed? Depends on perspective. I don't see an argument of: Manufactures aren't making new parts for my old car, it must be because they are pushing new products!
Nah, it's just pointless. Product has been pushed out by another one and it's not business wise to support something old just for the sake of it.
As for linux distros... Well, those aren't even 2% of worldwide marketshare. Assuming we aren't counting OS X (if we do, then both combined still aren't even close to size of machines with Windows).
So no, they aren't going to lose to all Linux distros... Why? No, not because Linux is hard to use (Mint/Ubuntu anyone?), but because there is a huge issue regarding drivers. Which is related to popularity of the system family... Which is really a big shame, but what you can do?
XD
Microsoft made a big mistake when they thought they could bribe or threaten users into switching OSes.
I'll keep win7 till games stop working on it. Then if they've still refused to release a new Windows without all the bullshit, I'll be moving to Linux. Just as XSI says.
What big mistake? Majority of world uses Windows if we are talking about Dekstop/Laptops. People are slowly switching to Windows 10 and the trend will continue. Easiest example:
My company bought tons of new desktops (and I mean fucking truckloads of them for all new branches), all of them had W10 pre-installed. That's what all workers will get and will be using. All those people will get used to new OS and will rather get W10 at some point than W7 because they are familiar with it and it is a brand new/safer product. Also, because it will be mainly pre-installed everywhere and they will take it without issues.
Now, there won't be any new Windows. 10 is the last one, it's just being upgraded. So while this year we will be using build 1903, around next year it will hit build 2XXX, meaning... That in a way, technically it will be windows 11, or more like, version 2.0 of windows 10. All delivered as a system update.
And no, if it wasn't about the games, I wouldn't be using W10. But compared to W7, it's still superior. Not interested in nostalgia, it's shit.
Also, funny note, my home desktop is only machine which has windows installed. My personal laptop? Company's laptop? Debian. As for why not dual-boot? It's a fucking pain in the ass to switch OSes just to play games.
Going back with car analogy for a second: Not many people want old cars, which lack all those fancy schmancy things like: traction control, ABS, curtains and so on. Because those things rise safety and provide better chance at surviving when shit hits the fan. So yeah, when W7 will become that old, rusty car - new shiny one will take over. That's how things go.
Of course, people are free to keep using CD-players for music, but they will be in minority. That's life. Just like I myself prefer older cars, but trying to find parts for them is a huge pain in the ass. Doesn't mean I will stop tinkering with my little gem in the garage. BUT... unlike a car, you can't get under the hood of windows so community can't continue working on it.