Comment by dlivingston

Comment by dlivingston 2 days ago

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Microsoft's Copilot AI software has been integrated in every corner of the operating system, from the start menu to the notepad to settings. Beyond the intrusiveness of it, it also does not work very well. Other AI mishaps include Recall, which takes screenshots of your desktop every so often, and the original version of Recall stored these in an unencrypted, insecure database.

On top of that, the OS feels more bloated and disorganized than ever, with something like six different UI frameworks all present in various spots on the OS; system settings are scattered across the Settings app (new) and various legacy panels like Control Panel and Network Connections.

What else... Microsoft now requires an online connection and Microsoft account to sign in to your PC; no more local-only accounts allowed.

I'm sure there's more I'm missing. It's not a pleasant operating system.

Wistar 2 days ago

I added a local-only account to a Win 11 Pro box just two days ago. Nothing seems different to me—the usual horsing around with the no online account stuff but it let me create the account.

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  • esseph 2 days ago

    Pro will allow it. Home which is what comes with most computers, does not now.

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timpera 2 days ago

I find that it is quite a pleasant operating system!

Recall is turned off by default and Copilot never nags you to use it (like Gemini on Chromebooks/Google Search/Google Docs does).

I completely agree with the UI frameworks thing though. They really need to remove the Control Panel.

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  • _carbyau_ 2 days ago

    > They really need to remove the Control Panel.

    ... they really need to provide 100% coverage to all the same settings, THEN remove the control panel.

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  • GrowingSideways a day ago

    > I find that it is quite a pleasant operating system!

    Pleasant compared to what? Older versions of windows? linux, or macs? This is the first positive review I've ever heard.

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    • donny2018 a day ago

      Most people are fine with Windows, including myself. I find it a good business workhorse with excellent productivity features that I can rely upon, knowing that it will handle pretty much any task I throw at it.

      Another factor vs Mac (for me) is that if something to happen to my ThinkPad while I'm at a factory somewhere in rural Uzbekistan, there is always a store in the nearby city where I can grab a Windows laptop for like $400 and continue with the job, and/or have my machine serviced.

      Windows has enormous userbase, and obviously you'll hear a high absolute number of criticisms, especially considering that those who actively dislike the OS for whatever reason will take take their time to bring their frustrations online, and those who are fine with it rarely comment about it.

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      • type0 a day ago

        It would all be good and all but Windows is now completely unreliable,it's not a workhorse when it breaks itself with updates and removes the drivers

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        • donny2018 a day ago

          I hear people say that, but I’m yet to see what’s unreliable about Windows. I’m running Windows 11 with latest updates on my ThinkPad X1 Carbon, and it hasn’t ever failed me, not even once. It has been solid as a rock for me.

          Windows laptops vary in hardware quality and software support significantly, maybe that’s where issues arise for some people?

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      • [removed] a day ago
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    • timpera a day ago

      Compared to both Windows 10 and macOS 26 (my desktop computer is a Mac Mini M4 and I really regret updating it to Tahoe).

      Linux obviously has its strengths, so I have a dual boot with the latest Fedora, but I almost always end up using W11, even for personal use.

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p_ing 2 days ago

I don't have Copilot in my start menu. It's in Notepad, but that is the only place I've found it. This is on 25H2.

> original version of Recall stored these in an unencrypted, insecure database.

Why do you bother mentioning it, given that's been long rectified and that particular version never made it to the production ring?

> six different UI frameworks all present in various spots on the OS

Windows has always been like this. It wasn't until Windows 11 that the Font dialog was upgraded from a Win 3.x look and feel.

> no more local-only accounts allowed.

Just false.

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