[skissane]

Some parts have already been open-sourced. For example, the console host component has been open sourced here: https://github.com/microsoft/terminal

And the FAT filesystem driver: https://github.com/microsoft/Windows-driver-samples/tree/mai...

And also PowerShell: https://github.com/PowerShell/PowerShell

And most of .NET: https://github.com/dotnet

Maybe they could consider an Apple-style approach: open source the core of the kernel and text-mode user space but leave the GUI closed.

Of course, open sourcing everything would be even better, but that might too big of a step for them. Open sourcing the non-GUI core could be a good initial step, whether or not it ends up going further.

[userbinator]

File Manager: https://github.com/microsoft/winfile

Calculator (the horrible UWP one, unfortunately): https://github.com/microsoft/calculator

As for that FAT driver, it was traditional to include in the SDK/DDK sources of some of the actual drivers in Windows, so that one is not a surprise.

[ksec]

>Open sourcing the non-GUI core could be a good initial step,

I think that is what could happen in 10-20 year period. As long as they could drive enough revenue from Cloud.

At least M$ under Nadella so far has a much better strategic play than most other tech CEO.

[smegger001]

my guess is if they did it it would be under some odd ball license just to make sure its code couldn't be incorporated into other penguin themed operating systems