I'm not sure how accurate StatCounter is, given that most Linux users use adblockers. However, according to it, Linux has almost a 14% desktop share in India.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).
Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.
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That's because even a grey market Windows key costs US$20 nowadays and that's over ₹1,600. For comparison purposes, the largest Indian banknote is ₹500.
Do you have to pay for Windows still? I thought they made it free to download
While it is free to download it, the license still costs. Though they seem to let you use it unlicensed for an unlimited amount of time with some restrictions (like not being able to change the background image and an ever present watermark). At least this was true for windows 10. No telling if/when they will drop that feature though, especially if loads of people start using it unlicensed like that (though I doubt that has any effect on people using it that way or not).
Microsoft never gave a shit about private piracy barring some noteable examples from countries with very strict anti-piracy laws like germany. The tactic has always been to get everyonem on windows and then make the big bucks seeling the OS to enterprises, because everybody wants to use windows, since they're at least halfway competent at that
Now, it's my opinion that people, en masse, can't use computers to save their fucking lives anyways and whether they're too stupid to utilize windows or too stupid to utilize Linux doesn't make much of a difference, but boy do the people get angry when anyone suggests switching off windows
Only for existing users+machines who are upgrading. New machines gotta pay up.
I mean you can use it unactivated for ever or just use a script
I haven't found a reliable system that gets around activation (had a friend ask me recently) and I personally can't live with the watermark, but I also have sensitive data on my machines and networks so I don't risk getting a sketchy iso from tpb with activation nuked.
Use MASS and you can install a legit copy of windows and have it activated
https://github.com/massgravel/Microsoft-Activation-Scripts
Works great, is well documented and trusted. If I remember correctly it has multiple ways of activating stuff and you can select the one you want with explanation and pros/cons of each method.
EDIT: Documentation is here: https://massgrave.dev/ And it can even activate Office or change Windows edition.
Looking into that, thanks =)