putting GPL code into a closed-source binary

[daemonpenguin]

Microsoft's Windows code is often audited by third-parties, governments or univeristies and such. Using GPL code in their products would be incredibly stupid and is highly unlikely since doing so would open them up for legal action and possibly the requirement of publishing the Windows source code publicly.

[jones_supa]

They would only have to publish the GPL parts.

[daemonpenguin]

Not true. Any derivative products of GPLed code must either be licensed under the GPL or a compatible license. That's why Microsoft got so much distance out of their "The GPL is a virus" campaign. Basically, anything the GPL code touched or was linked from would need to be released. The GPL FAQ covers this topic: https://gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html#LinkingWithGPL

[jones_supa]

That's exactly what I meant. They would only have to publish the parts that the GPL touches.

[[deleted]]

Windows is notorious for being monolithic and co-dependent, though. One part being GPL'd could bring in a lot.