I’ve used most Windows versions, with the oldest one being 3.11. When Windows 7 was released, it really felt like Microsoft had put a serious effort into creating a decent operating system. Unfortunately, since 7, the company hasn’t had a release that would leave such a good impression.
The company’s shift toward implementing features that don’t genuinely benefit users, but instead infringe upon their rights or simply annoy them, has been going on for many years now.
If you had told someone 20 years ago that Windows would have ads, they’d have thought you were crazy. Now, there are a lot of steps you need to take to get rid of them. (If you didn’t know this, you can find the instructions provided by PCMag here.)
Telemetry that can’t be completely disabled if you are on the Home edition of Windows is another misstep disliked by people who care about privacy.
Microsoft is also working on making it impossible to use Windows without a Microsoft online account, as reported by The Verge. This is something even Apple isn’t doing with its walled garden.
Yes, if you don’t have an Apple ID, the App Store won’t work, but you can use the OS, and you can do the updates. Microsoft’s moves are really making Apple look good.
The artificial intelligence race has taken the company’s focus away from everything else, making it a priority to incorporate AI into everything, regardless of whether users want it.
Photo by JASON REDMOND on Getty Images
Windows president gets backlash for promoting its evolution into an agentic OS
Microsoft (MSFT) President of Windows and Devices Pavan Davuluri posted on X (formerly Twitter) on November 10:
“Windows is evolving into an agentic OS, connecting devices, cloud, and AI to unlock intelligent productivity and secure work anywhere. Join us at #MSIgnite to see how frontier firms are transforming with Windows and what’s next for the platform. We can’t wait to show you!”
Even though the point of the post was to promote MSIgnite, a storm of angry responses ensued from users, who were irritated at the news that Windows would “evolve” into an “agentic OS”.
@Hasen_Judi wrote:
@ReiTVT added: “Its evolving into a product that’s driving people to Mac and Linux.”
User @ronInBendigo wrote: “For the first time since 1982, I no longer have a Microsoft operating system on any of my computers. I just closed my Microsoft365 account, and repatriated my data. I’ve replaced Office. I no longer use Azure, nor any Microsoft languages, databases, or development environments. AI has made you insane.”
“It’s evolving into a bug-ridden slop pile that’s not stable enough for an enterprise environment,” wrote @EvanMcM. “You guys have utterly destroyed it what was already a heavily flawed product in the first place.”
User @CTYeezus shared his opinion: “Pavan, stop. We all hate Windows more with every new version you release. Nobody likes the directions this OS is heading to. Don’t close your eyes and ears for consumer feedback because you already monopolized the market. Make Win 7 great again.”
Microsoft has invested too much money in AI, and now the usage needs to grow at a rapid pace, regardless of whether users want it. We can see the results of this strategy unfolding in Australia.
Microsoft sued for pushing AI on its users
Australia’s competition regulator on October 27 sued Microsoft, accusing it of misleading millions of customers into paying higher prices for its Microsoft 365 software by bundling it with the artificial intelligence tool Copilot, as reported by Reuters.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) alleged that from October 2024, the company misled approximately 2.7 million customers by implying they had to move to higher-priced Microsoft 365 personal and family plans that included Copilot, thereby increasing the annual subscription price of the personal plan by 45% to A$159 ($103.32) and the price of the family plan by 29% to A$179.
More AI Stocks:
- Cathie Wood sells $21.4 million of surging AI stocks
- As Palantir rolls on, rivals are worth a second look
- Palantir quietly makes massive AI war play
The regulator said the company failed to clearly inform users that a more affordable “classic” plan without Copilot was still available.
According to ABC News, Microsoft apologized to its Australian customers via email. The company stated: “In our email to subscribers, we expressed our regret for not being clearer about our subscription options, shared details about lower-priced alternatives that come without AI, and offered a refund to eligible subscribers who wish to switch.”
ACCC chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb welcomed the update from the company, but noted that there was no settlement with the regulator. “We continue to seek penalties, injunctions, declarations, effective consumer redress, and costs in court,” she said.
Related: Palantir CEO makes another controversial statement
