The next time you buy a computer with Windows 12 you could find yourself tied into a subscription

[NikoB]

Yeah. And I think Microsoft would rather release something like a bare-minimum-Windows for the masses, than saying "It's over. If you don't like subscription, go to Linux or Mac".

For what? M$ knows very well that 75%+ of those using Windows on the planet are sitting with pirated copies of the OS and it is generally happy with this, because this overwhelming 75% forces businesses to also run on Windows,

In fact, since 2015, any version of Windows W10+ is free for home use. Activation is done with a simple text bat file, without connecting to the network. Including business versions of Windows. This also contributes to the fact that younger generations easily gain access to all the technologies used in all versions of Windows and learn to work with it, and not with free Linux, where there is no normal management and organization, and a complete mess reigns.

If you don't have money for a license (why do you need one at home?) you can easily get W10-11 Pro Edu or Pro Worstation or LTSB/LTSC/Enterprise for free.

Microsoft has a vested interest in ensuring that this state of affairs continues, maintaining its overwhelming share of users in the global market.