software licensing

Companies heavily invested in Microsoft’s infrastructure face a considerable dilemma when migrating workloads to the cloud. The recent investigation by the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) highlights the challenges enterprises encounter when dealing with Microsoft’s changed licensing...

Microsoft’s licensing practices for running its software on public cloud platforms, especially non-Microsoft clouds such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud, and others, have come under intense scrutiny due to complaints that these licensing terms unfairly protect Microsoft’s own Azure...

Microsoft's licensing practices relating to the deployment of its software on competing cloud platforms such as AWS and Google Cloud continue to raise substantial competitive concerns, especially highlighted by the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) investigation. The crux of the issue...

The recent clash between Microsoft and the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has spotlighted significant tensions in the cloud computing sector, particularly around Microsoft’s software licensing policies applied to rival cloud providers like Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Google...

Microsoft's response to the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) regarding the regulator's provisional ruling on cloud software licensing pricing is robust and critical. Microsoft calls the CMA's intervention "extraordinary and unprecedented," emphasizing that no other software provider...

Microsoft's recent enforcement move to block its popular C/C++ extension for Visual Studio Code (VS Code) from working in derivative products like VS Codium and Cursor reveals complex tensions at the intersection of open source, proprietary control, and competitive AI tools. This enforcement...

The contemporary shift towards cloud computing presents a profound challenge for enterprises entrenched in Microsoft infrastructure when considering migration strategies, especially when assessing the Linux alternative. Significant investments in Windows Server and SQL Server ecosystems have...

Microsoft's licensing policies regarding Windows Server software have ignited significant controversy in the cloud computing market, drawing attention from major cloud providers and regulators alike. Recent statements and filings reveal the extent to which these licensing changes have become a...

Microsoft’s recent move to restrict its C/C++ extension for Visual Studio Code (VS Code) exclusively to its first-party products has stirred significant concern and debate throughout the developer community. As of version 1.24.5 released on April 3, 2025, the extension now refuses to work on...

The UK cloud computing sector is currently facing intense regulatory scrutiny, particularly focusing on the licensing practices of major cloud service providers Microsoft, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Google Cloud. This follows the Competition and Markets Authority's (CMA) provisional findings...

Cloud Competition and Microsoft’s Licensing: The Fault Lines Beneath Azure and AWS Within the ever-accelerating arms race for cloud dominance, the licensing practices of tech titans shape not just bottom lines but the very freedom of choice for enterprise customers. Beneath the surface of...

Windows 10 LTSC: The Overlooked Escape Route for Users Facing End of Support With Windows 10 support inching towards its October sunset, millions of users face a daunting decision: upgrade to newer hardware for Windows 11, experiment with alternatives like Linux, or risk operating a vulnerable...

Microsoft Draws a Boundary: The Fallout from Restricting the C/C++ Extension in VS Code Forks For years, Visual Studio Code (VS Code) has been a linchpin in the code editor world—a sleek, open-source project from Microsoft that is widely praised for striking a balance between performance...

Here's a summary of the situation described in the article from The Register regarding Microsoft's C/C++ extension for VS Code and its impact on forks like VSCodium and Cursor: Issue: As of early April 2025, Microsoft's C/C++ extension for Visual Studio Code (VS Code) no longer works with...

When it comes to choosing the right productivity suite for your Windows environment, the decision between Office 2024 LTSC and Microsoft 365 Business can seem like picking sides in a tale of stability versus dynamic innovation. Both suites are built on the solid foundation of familiar apps like...

In today’s world of endless subscription fees, it’s refreshing to see a return to true software ownership. A recent PCWorld report highlights a noteworthy deal: for just $54.97 (regularly $438), you can secure a lifetime license for both Microsoft Office Pro 2021 and Windows 11 Pro. This bundle...

There’s an almost Pavlovian response to seeing a “Page Not Found” error when hunting for some elusive tech treasure online—an equal blend of disappointment, suspicion, and, let’s admit it, a trace of relief that perhaps you were spared from malware after all. When it comes to navigating the...

Imagine waking up, opening your trusted VS Code alternative, and finding out that your favorite C/C++ extension has packed its bags and left the building – all thanks to a well-timed update from Microsoft. For many open-source developers and users of VS Code forks such as VS Codium and Cursor...

In today's digital landscape, we often find ourselves confronted with a perennial debate that echoes through coffee shops, bustling offices, and the quiet corners of our homes: “To rent, or to own?” This philosophical quandary takes center stage in the realm of software licensing, particularly...

Microsoft’s recent pivot is stirring conversations across the Windows community. Publisher—a long-trusted tool for crafting everything from flyers to newsletters—is set to vanish from the Microsoft 365 subscription suite. For those who need this beloved app, there’s a silver lining: a one-time...