Even as Microsoft readies a host of new ad-supported online services to battle rivals, the software maker has been mulling a plan to offer free, ad-supported versions of some of its desktop products, CNET News.com has learned.

Although no specific plans have been made, executives within Microsoft are examining whether it makes sense to release ad-supported versions of products such as Works, Money, or even the Windows operating system itself, according to internal documents seen by CNET News.com.

"As Web advertising grows and consumer revenues shrink, we need to consider creating ad-supported versions of our software," two Microsoft researchers and an MSN employee wrote in a paper presented to company executives earlier this year. The document was prepared for one of Microsoft's twice-yearly Thinkweek exercises, in which Chairman Bill Gates and other top executives gather to consider potential new avenues for the company to follow.

Microsoft officials confirmed the authenticity of the paper, dated Winter 2005, but declined to comment on its contents. However, a Microsoft source characterized the paper as an internal brainstorming exercise.

"It is simply an exploration of different models of delivering software to customers," the source said. "It is not policy, it is not a plan, and no decisions have been made--it's just some thoughts from our research and business units."

News source: News.com


Changelog for v4:

  • complete redesign from scratch
  • support of 4 virtual drives
  • ONLY x32-supported now. x64 will follow
  • Drivername randomly generated on each machine (not finished yet)
  • Drive-vendor and versionnumber randomly generated
  • Complete new emulation architecture
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  • Dropped: MS-Installer, DT now use modificated NullsoftInstaller
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  • supports all popular copyprotections



There are 48 additional comments
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Quote this comment Reply to this comment #1 Posted by Ravensworth on 15 Nov 2005 - 15:20
Adware? Nooo!!
(5 replies) Quote this comment Reply to this comment #2 Posted by rIaHc3 on 15 Nov 2005 - 15:22
Windows for free (adware supported)

That would accually work for poor countries. Doesnt sound like a bad idea.
Quote this comment #2.1 Posted by brianshapiro on 15 Nov 2005 - 15:27
first of all that sounds like it means the computer has to always be connected to the internet to use, since it has to download ads.

and im not sure third world countries would really appreciate being barraged by ads for western corporations, despite it being free
Quote this comment #2.2 Posted by Ravensworth on 15 Nov 2005 - 16:39
If you had an ad supported version of Windows, and you ran Spybot, would it format your hard drive?
Quote this comment #2.3 Posted by mr_demilord on 15 Nov 2005 - 20:17
No you will use a pirated copy
Quote this comment #2.4 Posted by cacoe on 15 Nov 2005 - 22:43
theres also the fact, why would you target ads at poor third world country computers if you expect to make little profit from it anyway?
Quote this comment #2.5 Posted by rIaHc3 on 16 Nov 2005 - 17:20
Fix: It can be a 180 day Windows.

After 180 days, a new CD is sent to you with new ads.
(1 reply) Quote this comment Reply to this comment #3 Posted by Porp on 15 Nov 2005 - 15:24
Sound's like a good idea.
Quote this comment #3.1 Posted by sphbecker on 16 Nov 2005 - 17:13
I would don't think I would want my copy of Windows to be ad supported. Maybe a desktop app I don't use often.
Quote this comment Reply to this comment #4 Posted by reactionary007 on 15 Nov 2005 - 15:51
i used to use blue light special free internet from kmart - ad supported. totally sucked. i'll never go back to using software like that again. could be good for some though who could get the stuff no other way.
Quote this comment Reply to this comment #5 Posted by betasp on 15 Nov 2005 - 15:58
I say sure... where there is an ad, there is an ad-remover.
Quote this comment Reply to this comment #6 Posted by D.S.M on 15 Nov 2005 - 15:59
For some reason I don't believe this.
I don't think that Microsoft will release a Windows with Ads that sounds really stupid think about security and computer performance ... maybe in programs such as Windows Messenger Live,or Office Live , or any "Live" service
Quote this comment Reply to this comment #7 Posted by domgrimm on 15 Nov 2005 - 16:00
This is where Microsoft's competition with Google really pays off for us consumers. Free stuff, ads or not, will nearly always be accepted
Quote this comment Reply to this comment #8 Posted by dacbo on 15 Nov 2005 - 16:08
i thought the whole problem with the internet was that advertising revenue was dwindling and companies are having to move to paid services?

if everything is advertising supported, soon there wont be anything to advertise haha!
(1 reply) Quote this comment Reply to this comment #9 Posted by onesolo on 15 Nov 2005 - 16:30
Ohh, I'm already imagining.... a BSOD with an Ad on the upper right corner of the screen....
Quote this comment #9.1 Posted by gaekwad2 on 15 Nov 2005 - 16:35
..., an Apple ad to be precise.
(3 replies) Quote this comment Reply to this comment #10 Posted by llbbl on 15 Nov 2005 - 16:50
Hey do you tink Windows Defender (MS name they stole and renamed MS antispyware) will remove ad's they stick in Windows Free version? ha I bet not.
Quote this comment #10.1 Posted by balupton on 15 Nov 2005 - 17:29
those are different products
Quote this comment #10.2 Posted by jakkyl on 15 Nov 2005 - 18:46
No, MS Antispyware was officially named "Windows Defender", they are one and the same.

http://news.com.com/Windows+AntiSpyware+becomes+Defender/2100-7355_3-5937989.html
Quote this comment #10.3 Posted by LG1 on 15 Nov 2005 - 23:34
"Hey do you tink Windows Defender (MS name they stole and renamed MS antispyware) will remove ad's they stick in Windows Free version?"

It will prob be ad-supported and the program that adds the ads back lol
Quote this comment Reply to this comment #11 Posted by aristotle-dude on 15 Nov 2005 - 17:14
This is the culture of windows? Offer software for free* to people lulling them into thinking it is actually free.

* Contains Adware and spyware to track your behavior for target marketing.

I prefer actual freeware or open source software thank you very much. Mac users would not put up with this kind of crap.
(1 reply) Quote this comment Reply to this comment #12 Posted by neufuse on 15 Nov 2005 - 17:18
if they put ads in this they should be strict as heck about what can be in it, i could see those windows like looking picture ads that say "your computer is at risk" or crap and really scare people that don't have a clue...
Quote this comment #12.1 Posted by The Napster on 16 Nov 2005 - 18:25
Or imagine a big Viagra add right when your mom walks through the door
Quote this comment Reply to this comment #13 Posted by ViperSnake on 15 Nov 2005 - 17:23
http://toastytech.com/evil/crash.html

This guy named Nathan has a whole section ranting about IE and Active Desktop, his view of Windows 2006 is very funny...an ad supported OS with ridiclousness everywhere!

warning: this section might be NWS, but the GUI section is WS.
Quote this comment Reply to this comment #14 Posted by Shadrack on 15 Nov 2005 - 17:23
maybe it won't be so much as in-your-face advertisements, but "anonymous" marketing research. Good reliable research is worth more then just advertisements. You can get research off all participants, where as an advertisement only works if you click on the advert.
Quote this comment Reply to this comment #15 Posted by Airlink on 15 Nov 2005 - 17:36
I'm sure this will go over like a lead baloon for those of use who are educated about such things; However, the vast majority of PC users don't know their ass from their elbow, so they will buy into this nonsense, with Microsoft proclaiming that it's the greatest thing since sliced bread. When the common users realises that it's craptastic, they'll go runing to Google.
So, I say: Go for it Microsoft! Way to drive your customers away from your software!
Quote this comment Reply to this comment #16 Posted by Blackice on 15 Nov 2005 - 17:41
You guys always overreact. It clearly says this is a concept, and would definatley be per-choice. A "premium" (i.e. no ads) version would undoubtedly be offered - Microsoft isn't stupid, they won't lose the market if they can help it.

Also, I imagine an ad-based version with Windows was simply an idea into how far ad-based products could go. I seriously doubt it made it into anyone's minds after the meeting. An ad-based Windows (as unlikely as it is) would definatley have VERY STRICT advertising guidelines, and would probably find the large majority of ads on the desktop, and in window corners.

It's always good for them to have another system, even if people don't like it - more choices are never a bad thing.

Quote this comment Reply to this comment #17 Posted by gliscameria on 15 Nov 2005 - 17:47
Nifty. I can see it now.
Your desktop background is advertisements from companies based on a survey you take during the install. Random 5 second pest screens for Viagra, subliminal messages from Pepsi in the background, a Budweiser cursor, random sedans driving across the bottom of the screen, A New episode of Nip tuck!!! SUPER!!!.... who needs spam anymore?
Quote this comment Reply to this comment #18 Posted by LTD on 15 Nov 2005 - 17:54
As long as you can get your work done and enjoy the free software, without the ad-intrusions being too great, this sounds like an excellent deal for some people.

No need to be so sensitive about these things.
Quote this comment Reply to this comment #19 Posted by soldier1st on 15 Nov 2005 - 18:03
i refuse to install apps that come with useless adware,i would rather find the same thing but with no adware garbage.
Quote this comment Reply to this comment #20 Posted by spookytay on 15 Nov 2005 - 19:09
Certainly sounds like MS is fearing the wrath of Google right now. Seems that MS's little brainstorm session was trying to figure out what Google is doing right now. With Google being one of thier biggest competitors right now, using ad's and starting a move towards using open source software.

So far, MS has done everything that Google has tried to do. We had the google toolbar, then along came the MS toolbar, we had google desktop search, now we have MS desktop search. Not to say Google has gained some from MS, we had mappoint, now there's Google maps. MS had a messenging program an now Google does too. Google offered free email storage, now MS is doing it.

Now that google has done all these things, and with ad's mind you, no one seems to be complaining that it will slow down there pc or make it BSOD.

So now it looks like open source and MS will be going at it, but MS wants to make money, so they use ad's.
Quote this comment Reply to this comment #21 Posted by claudiov on 15 Nov 2005 - 19:17
I think MS is thinking Google.
So we are the ones who really get something
(1 reply) Quote this comment Reply to this comment #22 Posted by LTD on 15 Nov 2005 - 19:45
Google does not make an Operating System.
Google does not make an Office suite.
Google's chat application has a much smaller userbase than MSN (plus it sucks, as of yet.)
Google's mail application has a much smaller userbase than Hotmail.

Google is a search engine that offers a few web services and a couple of useful little web-based applications.

Microsoft is not worried about Google. They are simply combating open source (read: free) software . . . with their own free software (with ads.)

Don't read too much into the MS vs. Google "war."
Quote this comment #22.1 Posted by claudiov on 16 Nov 2005 - 12:02
QUOTE
Google does not make an Office suite.

Wasn't Google after OpenOffice.org improvment?
I guess MS won't get what they won't , IMO , not until they start thinking more about US as clients and not Money potential. ( Note that this is a great steap already , still.. )
They're gettin in their head that opensource is always better , even better if it has community suport - take a look at Firefox.. But it will take longer until MS releases some of its sources , maybe never.
QUOTE
Google's mail application has a much smaller userbase than Hotmail.

Yeah and i hope it stays that way...
PS : MS has learnt alot of things from Google , don't you agree? Whats up with their beta mail?.. And everything else such MSG Live and etc. ?..MS Learnt alot with Google ehe ...
QUOTE
Google's chat application has a much smaller userbase than MSN (plus it sucks, as of yet.)

Well some may agree with you , some may not. I don't.
MSN Msger , in my POV is mostly used by lifeblind kids who like to Nudge theyselves and send those gay stuff to each other .. In my country you can bet that in 10 kids with internet 9 use MSN MSGER everyday - wich is stupid. I do connect to MSN because of my friends , but i will never do it with MSN MSGER , it's the most useless IM prog i've ever seen.Nonsense stuff and full of ****ty ads , nah , not for me.I use Gaim instead , much better and simplier.
Google Talk is simple and clean and plus It'll get really good now that Gaim main developer is working on it. Kids may find it boring , but it has whatever you need.

Last edited by 140709 on 16 Nov 2005 - 12:10
(2 replies) Quote this comment Reply to this comment #23 Posted by mr_demilord on 15 Nov 2005 - 20:12
Hahahha MS into adware.

Soon you get a BSOD for a commercial break for 10 minutes.
Or a error message with a ad
Quote this comment #23.1 Posted by toadeater on 15 Nov 2005 - 22:19
This BSOD has been sponsored by:

Halliburton.

Press any key to reinstall Windows.
Quote this comment #23.2 Posted by mr_demilord on 16 Nov 2005 - 08:28
L()L
Quote this comment Reply to this comment #24 Posted by djurbino on 15 Nov 2005 - 23:12
"Web advertising tripleplusgood, consumer revenues doubleplusungood ... ad-supported software plusgood?" two Inner Party researchers and Inner Party member wrote in a paper presented to the Inner Party earlier this year. The document was prepared for The Ministry of Truth's twice-yearly DoubleThinkweek exercises, in which Inner Party leader Bill Gates and other Inner Party members gather to consider potential new avenues for The Ministry of Love.

Quote this comment Reply to this comment #25 Posted by AndyD on 15 Nov 2005 - 23:38
Some of you calling it adware...I wonder if you're using gmail which looks for words in your email to tailor it's ads.

To me, this is a great idea. I think piracy would be less of an issue if the apps went in this direction. I wouldnt want it for an OS but I can deal with the ads if it's in an office suite.
(1 reply) Quote this comment Reply to this comment #26 Posted by tiwaris on 16 Nov 2005 - 02:19
MS boys are intimidated by Google. They are feeling insecure and are trying everything desperately to keep their dominance.
Quote this comment #26.1 Posted by LTD on 16 Nov 2005 - 03:01
lol, uh, nope.

When Google makes an OS with a good GUI, an Office Suite to go with it, a decent set of developer's tools, and a kickass mediaplayer, perhaps *then* I'll have cause to wonder.

Right now, Google is a glorified search engine that offers a few web-based services. It is not in the software business.

Microsoft is trying merely to expand into Google's own domain as well, by offering similar services.

No worries here.

Quote this comment Reply to this comment #27 Posted by kizzaaa on 16 Nov 2005 - 09:37
A version of Windows Ad-Supported? No way!
Quote this comment Reply to this comment #28 Posted by computerchan on 16 Nov 2005 - 10:54
What if I install Ad-aware in an Ad-Supported Windows OS?
(1 reply) Quote this comment Reply to this comment #29 Posted by Complex480 on 16 Nov 2005 - 15:39
Let the Windows-Remove-ads-patcher.exe begin
Quote this comment #29.1 Posted by mr_demilord on 16 Nov 2005 - 16:04
Quote this comment Reply to this comment #30 Posted by Glassed Silver on 16 Nov 2005 - 16:44
i prefer paying for my windows, i dont want any crappy ads when i start my pc...
my pc is my place thats as if u get a house and the walls are bloated wth commercials so u get X% off...
cmon, i wanna pay for my windows, it aint toooo costy

-fm
Quote this comment Reply to this comment #31 Posted by AeroGlass on 16 Nov 2005 - 16:49
Windows Ad-supported version:
...your copy of Microsoft Windows isn't genuine
Quote this comment Reply to this comment #32 Posted by matt74441 on 16 Nov 2005 - 20:01
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