I agree, subscriptions are stupid. But for now I am still using my windows 7 key on windows 11 so they were more than reasonable up until now.
I could see them adding windows as part of Microsoft 365 package they sell to businesses. Companies always had a different policy when it comes to software, that’s where most of the software companies make most of their money. It’s why piracy was allowed for so long, consumers get used to the software through the pirated version, then they demand it at work which can’t use pirated software obviously.