In the wake of recent ransomware attacks, India is asking Microsoft to offer a one-time discount to the more than 50 million Windows users in the country, according to a latest report from Reuters. India wants the discount so users can upgrade to the latest Windows 10 operating system following recent ransomware attacks.
Gulshan Rai, India’s cyber security coordinator told Reuters that Microsoft has “in principle agreed” to the request. According to Rai, India initiated talks with Microsoft management in India post WannaCry ransomware attack in May that affected a large number of older iterations of the Windows OS. Soon other countries might come forward and demand a discount, if Microsoft agrees to offer a discount in India. Currently, it is not clear whether any other countries were seeking similar deals.
Rai clarified that Microsoft might offer a one-time upgrade to Windows 10 and it will be a discounted price for the entire country. Although, the exact discount price is not known, Rai touted it to be “less than a quarter of the current price.” Currently, Windows 10 Home retails for Rs. 7,999 ($124) in India, while the Pro version of the software typically used by large companies and institutions costs Rs. 14,999 rupees ($232).