In the case of our latest forums discussion, what if the mobile part of Windows was open sourced?

It's hard to let go of the things you love, and in the case of Windows on phones, for some it's harder than others. Many of us have already moved on, many are still actively using and enjoying their Lumia, Elite x3 or Alcatel Idol 4S.

Let's be clear: This is basically an impossibility. Windows 10 Mobile is built on the same platform as Windows on the PC, and there is a ton of code in there that Microsoft wouldn't ever send to the open source community. It isn't like Android, where AOSP is just the basic bits and the Android you see on a phone is built on top.

Windows is entirely proprietary and beyond the unlikely nature, you'd also need someone to do something with it. No phone manufacturers have shown much interest to this point and it's a little tough to imagine a fan in their basement making serious strides forward.

Nevertheless, one can dream. If you share the dream, think it's utterly absurd or anywhere in between, hit the forums thread below and join the conversation.

Petitioning to make Microsoft's Windows Phone open source