I think they are still in the Embrace and Extend phases, putting a lot of work into the Linux kernel to make sure it plays well with Windows machines so bringin

I think they are still in the Embrace and Extend phases, putting a lot of work into the Linux kernel to make sure it plays well with Windows machines so bringing Azure tons of money, adding WSL so that devs don't need to switch to bare-metal Linux in order to do their work, making GitHub's position stronger so that all Open Source development is concentrated on their platform. This is all a coherent strategy aiming at maximizing value while controlling the situation (making sure Linux is unbootable after you install Windows next to it etc.). What would be the first stages of the Extinguish stage? If I were them, I would start from neutralizing Stallman. He is the pillar of Free Software, a smart hacker who created GCC and devoted his life towards values that are completely at odds with Microsoft's vision. I would use every occasion to discredit him and eliminate him from exerting any influence.