It seems the latest growing sport among Windows users is Microsoft bashing. When it comes to Microsoft and Windows, I’ve always tried to be fair-minded, criticizing when deemed warranted and giving credit where credit is due, but maintaining that stance is becoming ever more difficult.
It doesn’t seem all that long ago when the chatter across forums and tech sites about Microsoft and Windows was largely positive; then along came Windows 11. Browsing across forums and tech sites these days reveals just how disillusioned users have become.
The chatter now only exacerbates the doom and gloom surrounding Microsoft and its iconic operating system. As the old saying goes… “If it wasn’t for bad news, there’d be no news at all“.
To prove my point, here are the latest headlines (at the time of writing) from three well-known and popular tech sites:
- Microsoft confirms Windows 11’s update kills audio on some PCs, and the bugs keep piling up
- Microsoft admits Windows 11 KB5124008 is breaking multiple features
- The latest Windows 11 update breaks audio on some PCs
- Windows 11’s new security feature ‘wrecks’ frame rates for gamers
- HP and Lenovo laptops are the latest victims of a Windows 11 update
- Windows 11 and 10 get emergency patches, but AMD GPU issues remain
Some might say that Microsoft well and truly deserves all the criticism, and I would not disagree. However, to me, the underlying concern here is the reason why bad news has become good news for tech sites.
There’s a reason why tech sites are proliferating their feeds with this type of bad-news content, and that’s because readers are generally lapping it up. Which, in turn, indicates just how fed up and disillusioned users have become with Microsoft and Windows 11.
The advent of Windows 11 with its ongoing string of buggy updates has seen the band of Microsoft bashers quickly grow into an army, and this type of negative content provides food for that army to march on.
BOTTOM LINE:
Is the situation really as bad as the headlines suggest, or is the fact that bad news has now become a popular read influencing those headlines?
All I know is I’m running three Windows 11 25H2 systems and have not encountered a single issue caused by buggy updates. Maybe I’ve been lucky, but I somehow doubt it.
I am far from enamoured with Microsoft and Windows 11, but I cannot help wondering if perhaps the proliferation of bad-news headlines is making the situation appear worse than it actually is.
What are your thoughts?
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Fully agree with you Jim. I too have not experienced any problems on my computers with 10 or 11.
My mom said if you do not have anything good to say, hush. I try to follow that rule (sometimes).
Now it seems people just want to complain. Reminds me of what a bully says to remain popular (no pun intended), Mindblower!
It’s very simple Jim; clickbait is what it’s all about.
I have multiple computers at home and buy and sell others. I have yet to have any issue with updates.
Some of my personal computers are held back from updating on Patch Tuesday, some are allowed to patch unattended. Either way, I’ve had no issues.
I look at these headlines with a very large grain of salt. The tech sites need readers and clicks to justify their ad rates, so let’s pile onto Microsoft; easy target.
Personally, I am very comfortable with W11. I have found ways around the things that I don’t like and I’ve adjusted quite nicely to the OS in general.
I’m not a MS fan for many other reasons, but for me W11 does a good job of being my OS of choice. I’ve dabbled with many different Linux distros and some of them are really good, but I always come back to W11.
Keep up the good work! I always enjoy your perspective on things computer related.
KW
Thank you Ken.
Hi Ken. Might I offer you a solution to M$ Patch Tuesdays. Pause Windows updates, and use the WAU Manager for your updates They offer users a choice of what patches to select, Mindblower!
PS It was mentioned by Jim a while back.
I am not bashing MS, just still unhappy about having to buy new computers (laptop and desktop) because my CPUs are just one generation behind and otherwise meet every other requirement. My desktop built with 64gb of ram and a 2 TB SSD many years ago is used for critical work. I will keep using it as long as possible. Both are working fine, with the laptop still having over 90% battery left. What I am considering is moving to an Apple Max Pro laptop. The only thing which holds me back is the lack of a numerical keypad which I need and do not want to carry around a separate keypad. I can still use my Office tools on it and with additional add in, actually run a version of Windows. Right now,, I have moved to Apple iPads instead of Samsung pads because of the Android versions are sometimes unstable on their pads. Also, looking into moving my phone and watch to Apple for similar reasons. Maybe I am headed into taking a byte out of the Apple.
Hey Vince,
You have every right to be annoyed with MS’s decision to preclude perfectly capable PCs from the Windows 11 upgrade path. It was, in my opinion, a terrible decision by MS.
Hi Vince, I’m in Australia and a family member decided a couple of years ago to change their phone to Apple.
It seemed to be a good idea but as time went on things began to fail or break and in the end he returned to android.
I’m not tech savvy regarding phones so I can’t elaborate more but suffice it to say the switch did stand the test of time.
I wish you well if you do change. I personally stay with android cos it’s easier and just keep everything switched off unless absolutely necessary.
Even to the point where android/google still doesn’t positively know my address and that thrills me! :))
Well, I have owned an iPhone and iPad for years and, I must say, I have to disagree. The build quality and reliability are exceptional.
Opinions are often shaped by personal experience.
Hi Jim, longtime member,,,couple decades it seems. i am sticking with win10pro. i have had zero problems with it for years…it does everything i want…using a vpn and private windows for browsing….keeping it tight. been using waterfox browser and its my go to for sure. keep up the good yakking, always enjoyable and informative….JH
Thanks Clas,
Yes, myself and your good self have been hanging around DCT for quite some time. 🙂
I’m hearing you, my main machine is still running Windows 10 with Windows 11 on a secondary machine.
No issues here. Microsoft is just an easy target. My only real complaint is that I have to pay them $99 every year for Office. The only pieces I use is Word and Outlook. The rest is idle. It is quite possible that next year I won’t even need Outlook. My wife is actually the only one that really needs Word.
Hey Bill,
Have you checked out some of the free MS Office alternatives? Here are three, all free and all with excellent compatibility:
LibreOffice
OpenOffice
OnlyOffice
I have both Open Office and Libre Office on my old laptop running on 10 something.
I haven’t used Libre Office in several yrs but despite the failing laptop, the Open Office still plugs along doing it’s best.
I don’t think there can be any better recommendation for the durability of a program than continuing to work on my almost completely failed laptop! 🙂
I agree with Jim. I have 4 laptops running Windows 11 and I am experiencing no problems. I also have one desktop and laptop still running Windows 10 and Zorin with no issues. I think a lot of what is posted on a lot of popular web sites is click bait and it seems to be enjoyed by the uninformed.
Yep, agree 100% Gazza. Thanks for your comment.
Hi Jim, the latest – September issue of APC magazine has some good Apps that fill what Windows 11 doesn’t have to make it easier to use. I know you can easily access the magazine as it is Australian magazine and you reside in the same great state that I do. I like to keep up with the latest in computer and communications technology as I support twos seniors group, providing them computer help.