>using virtualization, yupp. Still multi-user file ISAM access might be made too errorprone by OS default settings like SMB2 or oplocking. I visualize table access more like office documents in the future: exclusive might make table usage "compatible" with the surrounding systems again.

My take is that by the time VFP9 starts choking on Windows, there will be minimim two other xbase platforms capable of taking it over
with minimal tweaks. Something like switching between Clipper 5.1 to FPD 2.6.
And this is just about the price I am willing to pay for doing M$ yet another favour ;)