After a turbulent stretch marked by unstable updates and unpopular changes, Microsoft is promising a course correction for Windows 11. The company has acknowledged growing user frustration and now says 2026 will be focused on addressing the most persistent complaints: poor performance, reliability issues, and a widening disconnect between the operating system’s direction and what users actually want.
For many, 2025 became synonymous with anxiety around updates—each new patch bringing the risk of bugs or unexpected behaviour. Microsoft now admits that this pattern has damaged confidence in Windows 11 and that restoring trust has become a priority.
A Shift Away From Features, Back to Fundamentals
In remarks cited by The Verge, Windows president Pavan Davuluri said user feedback has been “clear” and consistent. According to Microsoft, the company plans to significantly improve Windows this year by prioritising system performance, stability, and the overall user experience. The message is straightforward: fewer headline features and more effort spent refining what already exists.
This marks a notable change in tone. Over the past year, Microsoft has heavily promoted Windows as an entry point to artificial intelligence, embedding Copilot across apps and system interfaces.
That strategy has not resonated with many users, who argue that AI features add complexity without solving everyday problems. The backlash has been strong enough that Davuluri recently disabled replies on a social media post discussing the system’s AI “agent” direction.
A Large User Base, but Eroding Trust
Despite the criticism, Windows remains one of the most widely used software platforms in the world, with around one billion active users. However, scale alone is no longer a guarantee of loyalty. As critics point out, usage driven by habit or lack of alternatives is not the same as genuine satisfaction.
The stakes are rising in 2026. New competitors are lining up, including Google’s rumored desktop version of Android, known as Aluminum OS, the continued expansion of SteamOS beyond gaming handhelds, and reports of a lower-cost MacBook aimed at a broader audience. Together, they represent credible alternatives at a time when Microsoft can least afford complacency.
From Design Debates to Core Stability
Windows has long carried a reputation for alternating between “good” and “bad” releases, but the current wave of criticism goes deeper than aesthetic choices or controversial redesigns like those seen with Windows 8. Today’s complaints focus on reliability, update quality, and unclear priorities.
Microsoft’s promise for 2026 suggests an understanding that incremental fixes are no longer enough. With goodwill running thin and competition intensifying, the company has little room for error. If it follows through on its pledge, 2026 could mark a turning point for Windows. If not, users may prove more willing than ever to look elsewhere.
