Microsoft are anything but stupid.... evil, aggressive, a bully, scheming etc but not stupid.
They exist only to make money, and they are *very* good at it, how else could they get away with selling the worst operating systems i have EVER had to misfortune to use? why does anyone use ISS when apache kicks the living sh*t out of it? Microsoft knows that Linux & BSD are a major threat and they *only* way they can fight that threat is by trying to stop people using them (they sure as hell cant beat them!) and they do this by spreading FUD (Fear Uncertainty Doubt).
Microsoft will loose in the end, there is simply no way they can continue to sell there 'operating' system when superior alternatives exist, although this may take time, there number is up.