Windows 10 will possibly be the last version of Windows with a version number. After Windows 10, Microsoft will likely continue with updating Windows system components without releasing a full new version of Windows.
A developer evangelist of Microsoft stated that Windows 10 would be "the last version of Windows", during Microsoft's Ignite conference, according to tech website TheVerge.
"Recent comments at Ignite about Windows 10 are reflective of the way Windows will be delivered as a service bringing new innovations and updates in an ongoing manner, with continuous value for our consumer and business customers", according to a Microsoft spokesman when asked about the statement by the technology website.
With this statement Microsoft pretty much confirms there will be no new Windows version with a new version number, but that the company will gradually update Windows and add new features. Version numbers will continue to exist in the actual software, but they are no longer communicated to the outside world. That also means it could be the end of the current Patch Tuesday policy, the monthly Tuesday on which Microsoft releases security patches.
Microsoft has previously stated that Windows will be more and more marketed as a service. Windows as a service will likely mean the operating system will be updated through e.g. the Windows Store.
How users will have to pay for Windows in the future is unclear, however Microsoft always denied it will switch to a subscription model for Windows. A potential business model could be paying for additional features of the operating system or making the operating system free and charge for support, similar to Linux.
