Microsoft should accept that it’s time to give up on Windows 11 and throw everything at Windows 12
If the recent news about two Windows 11 Updates that break several features are not enough. The recent revelation that the operating system’s market share has fallen below 26% should certainly cause some alarm.
According to April 2024 data from StatcounterWindows 11 plummeted to a 25.69% market share after reaching an all-time high of 28.16% in February 2024. Meanwhile, Windows 10 has risen to a market share of over 70% over the same period, and this is after Microsoft made its announcement. The plan is to reach end of support (EOS) for Windows 10 by October 2025.
Microsoft could face a huge problem, with its hopes of Windows 11 becoming the ultimate AI-assisted operating system with Copilot hampered because it doesn’t have the user base it needs. Normally, support for an operating system declines once its successor is launched, so Windows 11 dropping nearly three points in just a few months is telling.
But is it honestly surprising?
It’s no secret that Windows 11 has been plagued with issues and bad updates since launch – not to mention the biggest problem is that many users can’t upgrade in the first place due to the much steeper installation requirements, leaving many otherwise interested users unwilling to do so in the first place. upgrade.
There is also the fact that the operating system has forced advertisements as “recommendations” in the Start menu and has even started testing promotional recommendation pages that take up your entire screen, urging users to make Edge the default browser and install or enable other services. The worst part is that there is no way to completely opt out of these ads, which accomplish nothing other than clogging the user interface with constant notifications.
As for the features that Windows 11 offers over Windows 10? There is simply not enough incentives for users to make the jump, with some features like centering the icons and Start menu on the taskbar and bringing back desktop widgets barely worth mentioning. And some features, like the ability to move the taskbar, have actually been removed.
On the other hand, Windows 10 came after Windows 8/8.1, which endeared users with its many improvements, including bringing back the Start menu. Not to mention that the operating system is much more stable compared to its successor, with far fewer broken updates.
What’s next for Windows 11?
The biggest reason to make the switch to Windows 11 may be Microsoft Copilot, but that’s also coming to Windows 10. There are a number of unique AI tools that Windows 11 will eventually get, but that could also help close the gap between users with higher-end PCs and lower-end PCs.
What should Microsoft do then? The tech giant may have to cut its losses and speed up the release of Windows 12, putting all the AI goodies and other new features in there. The user base would be more willing to move to a new operating system, and this could even prevent a potential ecological disaster in the making. There are also tons of other features and tools that can be added, many of which are fan favorites that could easily attract Windows 10 users.
This move would be the death knell for Windows 11, but this would honestly be a positive for Microsoft as it could leave all the bad press for Windows 11 behind and fully support a superior operating system, while giving Windows 10 users much more incentive to get. to make the transition in the process.