You do realize that they are giving it away to entice users to move to the new platform which will not really be a version per-se but an ever evolving OS ecosystem, a SaaS model which will (hopefully for MS) generate a recurring revenue stream as opposed to the current buy and forget model of owning Windows. Think of the Google Apps model... And yes, I do know what I'm talking about. MCSE certified on 2000/2003/2008 and now working on 2012+ update. I work as the IT Director for the Canadian arm of a large multinational. I hate it when people who know nothing talk out their rear-end End rant