Re: Worse case scenario...
I wondered whether people were still pushing the "subscription" FUD.
Oh no, Windows won't be on a subscription (it will be almost free). It's the on-line services that Windows will be tied up with that's subscription based.
That's why they're not too fussed about pirated copies - eventually the OS would be almost useless without an account as each continuous (stealth) update gradually guides the rod in deeper.
"mobile-first, cloud-first" is what this OS will be.