I hate how this is constantly brought up. Yes- that was a Microsoft strategy and might still be. With that said, Microsoft has no power to make people switch. If people switch off of desktop Linux in favor of Windows it's because Windows is either a better product or Linux was too much of an issue. Why shouldn't consumers choose the better product for themselves? Why shouldn't Microsoft or Linux compete for business? Why do you care so much if someone wants to use Linux or Windows?

>With the "benefit" of forcing the Linux kernel developers to pay the maintenance costs of course.

No. Nobody is forced to maintain this. If Microsoft stops maintaining it then Linux is free to kick this to the curb.