Why Windows Keeps Getting Worse: A History Lesson

Summary

Microsoft's dominance in personal computing, established with Windows 95, is now facing challenges despite its continued market share. The OS's trajectory, from the innovative Windows NT 3.1 and the user-friendly Windows 95 to the current Windows 11, reveals a pattern of prioritizing control and profit over user experience. Early successes like Windows 95 offered significant improvements like longer file names and the Recycle Bin, fostering growth in PC gaming and individual development. However, Microsoft's business model evolved from selling software to controlling entire ecosystems. The PlayStation's success in the gaming market spurred Microsoft to create the Xbox, initially a costly endeavor built on PC components, aimed at capturing console revenue. This led to a strategy of building 'walled gardens,' exemplified by the integration of Xbox Live and Windows, and later the unified Microsoft Store. Despite legal challenges over monopolistic practices, such as bundling Internet Explorer, Microsoft has consistently leveraged its market position. Today, Windows 11 faces criticism for intrusive tracking, poor performance, a bloated interface, and a reliance on AI features like Copilot, which mirror past attempts to funnel users into Microsoft's own services. This trend suggests a future where Microsoft products become more expensive, restrictive, and less functional, a shift that has been gradually implemented since Windows 10, with a recent announcement promising improvements to Windows 11 focusing on performance and user wishes, though past claims suggest skepticism.