Why wouldn't they just release Windows 10 instead? They don't "need" the money (because any self-respecting IT department that has a modicum of budget will pay

Why wouldn't they just release Windows 10 instead? They don't "need" the money (because any self-respecting IT department that has a modicum of budget will pay for Microsoft 365, where they almost give away the Windows licenses and support, or have a SA license), so the only people still really buying Windows are home users with their laptops. Enthusiasts could maybe submit pull requests, and they could get rid of even more in-house dev/QA staff. It's the latest version of the kernel, so new drivers work. And they are still patching it. The real money is in Azure/Office/MSSQL anyway.