Of course future versions of Microsoft Windows will use the Linux kernel.
For several years (non-continuous) I have talked about the viability of future versions of Microsoft Windows ditching the Windows kernel and, instead, using the Linux kernel.
It's a wacky idea.
So wacky that, despite my repeated insistence of the viability of said idea, most people have responded with a hearty round of "yeah, right!"
Then, this last week, Eric Raymond(1) (aka "ESR" ) made the following statement(2):
"Microsoft Windows becomes a Proton-like emulation layer over a Linux kernel, with the layer getting thinner over time as more of the support lands in the mainline kernel sources. The economic motive is that Microsoft sheds an ever-larger fraction of its development costs as less and less has to be done in-house."
A statement I agree with. 100%. I think this is likely. The reasoning is pretty darn simple.
A) This reduces the cost to develop and maintain the Windows kernel (along with a hefty chunk of driver and related work).
B) This allows them to standardize kernels across a broader product line. Azure (plus Sphere OS), and full Windows line. Which is good from several perspectives (ability to focus the team on a more narrow skillset, etc.). All of which save money.
Honestly, it's just a good long-term strategy.
The various Windows application "emulation" options out there are incredibly advanced.
And, with even a short period of time for developers to test against a future Linux-based Windows (which, presumably, would use a combination of Wine and other compatibility systems)? The odds of nearly all major applications being fully tested and, if necessary, any "porting" (read: fixing the odd, obscure bug with Wine, etc.) complete in a period of less than a year? Totally viable.
Toooootally viable.
Almost more viable than the period required to certify applications for new major releases of Windows.
To recap:
A) Would save money for Microsoft.
B) Totally viable.
1.) https://lunduke.com/posts/2020-03-9-b/
2.) http://esr.ibiblio.org/?p=8764
