I haven't paid anything since Windows 8. Win 10 and 11 have been given to me for free.

When you use an OS that collects massive amounts of your data to use against you it means you'll be paying for it for the rest of your life. Windows 10 and 11 might be the most expensive pieces of software you've ever not really owned.

you are the product, and they are not giving you away for free

Have you purchased a Windows computer in that time period? The cost of a Windows license is hidden in the overall cost of the machine.

> Win 10 and 11

Windows is just Windows at this point. You are still using the Windows 8 license that your purchased. The version numbers are nothing more than a measurement of how brazen Microsoft is getting.

Show me where I can get a legal copy of Windows that is free to install on a pristine machine and I'll concede that it is free.

Microsoft have simply added a subscription fee to Windows, where you are the subscription fee.

> Win 10 and 11 have been given to me for free.

Have been? You didn't have to have an already licensed Windows installation to upgrade? You _exchanged_ your older license for the newer one for free; you didn't get one extra for free.

When you purchase a complete, new computer, the windows license is included in price (OEM). If you build your computer from parts or when you spin a new VM, you have to get a new license. Windows 10/11 Home (OEM) is about 120 EUR + VAT, Pro (OEM) about 160 EUR + VAT. That's quite a far cry from free.