Microsoft has artificially kept Windows phone on life support since its mid-2015 decision to wind down its smartphone ambitions. There are a lot of theories about why the software giant is doing this. But here's the real reason.

First, let me redirect you from the obvious answers, as any tech enthusiast topic like this one comes saddled with too many conspiracy theories to even count. And most people's opinions about why Windows phone failed in the first place, let alone why it's still here despite having failed, are either untrue or only a minor part of a wider story.