Windows 11: Issues Remain Despite Microsoft’s Promises
Is there a pilot in the Windows 11 plane? Apparently, we know there is Copilot, but recent decisions from Microsoft about the direction of its flagship product – at least from the perspective of the average consumer – leave us puzzled. The grievances are well-known: regularly documented in the columns of “Les Numériques,” and the Redmond company is perfectly aware of them. To the extent that they published a statement on their official blog on March 20, 2024, aiming to “analyze user feedback,” with seven future improvement areas in response.
Pavan Davuluri, executive vice president of Windows and Devices, is leading this rare damage control exercise rarely seen at a tech giant. His promises address recurring issues such as the slowness of File Explorer, erratic functioning of Windows updates, and the placement of the taskbar. “First changes” will appear in the initial builds for Windows Insider program members the following month, before rolling out to the public versions.
However, for those following recent Windows 11 news, it is clear that this is just the tip of the iceberg: many major issues that deeply affect user experience are neither addressed nor even mentioned. Dealing with these obvious shortcomings would question Microsoft’s overall strategy, including its massive investments in AI.
Looking specifically at Copilot, Pavan Davuluri promises a focus on “useful and well-designed features” by reassessing the presence of Copilot buttons in software like Notepad or the Snipping Tool. But should they have been integrated in the first place, where AI has no place? What about the default installation of the Copilot app, its pinning to the taskbar since the KB5034763 update (February 2024), the Copilot+ badge, and the Copilot key added by OEMs to a growing number of laptops?
On AI, what about the persistent automatic translations in the Microsoft ecosystem – Microsoft Store, system settings, Xbox – which rely on basic engines for languages other than English? It’s surprising to see the world’s fourth-largest market capitalization relying on such tools, revealing a lack of consideration for non-English-speaking users.
Furthermore, there is no mention of the forced integration of Microsoft accounts during a new installation of Windows 11 Home. It is impossible to use a local account without an internet connection and without bypassing the installation (via undocumented methods), whereas only Pro editions allow this option straightforwardly. This maneuver clearly aims to maximize the adoption of the Microsoft ecosystem – which also explains the default activation of user folder backup (Desktop, Documents, Images) to OneDrive since the 23H2 version (released in September 2023) during the initial configuration.
Lastly, while the post mentions a “more relevant Recommendations section” in the Start menu, concrete measures remain unknown. Should we hope for the complete removal of ads for Spotify or Xbox Game Pass in an operating system acquired directly (OEM/retail) or indirectly (via a PC price)? Being realistic, it’s unlikely. Remember that these ads have been present since February 2022 – nearly two years – and their persistence is a strategic choice, not just negligence. In this context, the path to redemption looks long to regain the trust of disgruntled users. In such circumstances, it would have been better to take a shortcut to slightly more… free solutions.
Looking to save more? Discover our selected promo codes for you.
