no support for operating systems give away

What do they force? How much does it cost us?

Government is implied as the force in your statement "should be forced to." Do you really want that or do you just want something you don't have to pay cash for?

Well, as each new version of Windows and Office builds upon the previous version, Microsoft cannot maintain it's business model if it gives away old versions.

Look at almost all commercial software, there is no precedence for giving away older versions. Even after the support life has ended.

Then, take a good read of the EULA you agreed to when you installed Windows 95 or 98. Microsoft NEVER gave you the software in the first place. All you bought, be it an OEM copy or a full retail version, was a limited right to use the software. This is the primary way that Microsoft and other software companies maintain control over their intellectual property.

Aside from the issues of ownership of the code, what are you going to do with Windows 95 or 98, or even Me for that matter?

Unless you have a large stock of hardware that is at least 10 years old, you are going to have a hard time doing anything useful with older versions of Windows.

Be it the hard drive and memory limitations of the old versions of Windows. Or the fact that you cannot buy much new hardware that has drivers for older versions of Windows. There is little or nothing of practical value you can do with new hardware and old operating systems.

Web browsing or email? Forget it! Aside from the security holes, most web pages will not render properly on the browsers that the old versions of Windows support.

For most other applications, you will be limited to the old versions (which are also no longer supported) of nearly every software package.

Even the mission charities no longer reuse systems that cannot run at least Windows XP.

Besides the above, there is a very viable option for an open source OS that supports new hardware. If you want a free or low cost OS, switch to Linux!

Of course, if you want to install older versions of Windows on newer systems, you do have some level of "downgrade" rights.

Chas

And does MS have any opinion on this?

If so, it isn't Abandonware.

If you want to use abandonware, fire up an old copy of DOS (or a free version). Plenty of old abandonware out there.

While you can still find new unopened copies of Windows 98, 2000 and XP, Microsoft has stopped selling the retail versions of all of the supplanted versions of Windows and Office.

What you find at various retailers and software resellers is the residual copies that were in the distribution pipeline. Microsoft made it's money on the copies that are available years ago.

Microsoft tried to shut down distribution of even the OEM versions of XP over a year ago. There was such a howl of indignation and demand for XP that the OEM version is still being distributed. As a last sting, Microsoft is forcing the OEM companies who choose to still offer XP with their systems to charge a premium for XP.

Microsoft wants XP gone for good in 4 years when it reaches end of life. It will be interesting to see what happens after Microsoft shuts down the XP activation servers. Anyone who does not have a corporate license for XP should pay close attention to the news from Microsoft in 2014 and make sure that they perform a clean install on what will be their last XP system before the activation servers are shut off.

Not only does activation help limit multiple installations from one copy of Windows, it also provides Microsoft a means to prevent you from having a running system in the future.

Think about it, if you have to format and reinstall XP every 30 days when activation is no longer available, how long will it be until you give in and buy a newer version of Windows?

True, Microsoft will not shut down running activated systems. But once the activation servers are off-line, you won't be able to do a refresh of your system.

Even more fun, a version of Windows ages, Microsoft removes the updates and patches from the file server. I'm pretty sure that Windows Update no longer functions for Windows 95, 98 or Me.

Chas

second hand shops and old computers. Just buy one and away you go.

If you want a real good OS and cheap, install Linux.

Anybody remember "New Coke"? In a misguided attempt to increase market share, Coca-Cola changed it's formula back in the mid-80s. The product tanked big time and is still the subject of marketing classes and how to not manage a product. A few months later, Coke backpedaled and returned to the original formula.

Where would they have been had someone at the company decided, "We're not using the old formula. Let's cut it loose and let anyone make it." Where would MS have been if Vista had been in competition with 9x or 2K?

You expect incorrectly.

Do not confuse provocation with association.