According to MakeUseOf, Microsoft’s core products are facing serious issues while the company prioritizes AI features nobody asked for. Windows 11 has become increasingly buggy since Windows 10 reached end-of-life, with Microsoft offering bizarre workarounds instead of actual fixes. The company is forcing Copilot into every application including Notepad, while leadership dismisses critics as “cynics.” Xbox is experiencing an identity crisis with retailers reducing stock and Game Pass nearly doubling in price. Surface devices have lost their premium reputation after shifting to problematic ARM chips, creating a situation where Microsoft’s biggest threat is Microsoft itself.
Windows has become a dumpster fire
Here’s the thing about Windows right now – it feels like Microsoft is just slapping duct tape on a leaking water tank. The File Explorer “fix” where they preload it at boot instead of actually fixing the performance issues? That’s not a solution, that’s admitting you don’t know how to solve the real problem. And the Task Manager bug where clicking close just sends it to the background? These are core system components that have been working fine for decades suddenly breaking.
Meanwhile, Microsoft keeps removing features people actually want, like local account creation, while forcing Copilot into every corner of the OS. It’s bizarre how the bloated features nobody asked for never seem to break, while the basic functionality keeps getting worse. The leadership seems completely tone-deaf, tweeting about “agentic” operating systems while users beg them to fix the fundamentals first.
Nobody wants Copilot everywhere
Look, AI isn’t inherently bad. But Microsoft’s approach feels desperate and forced. When even Notepad has a Copilot button, you have to wonder if anyone at Microsoft actually uses their own products. The company’s AI CEO calling critics “cynics” completely misses the point – people aren’t rejecting AI, they’re rejecting broken foundations with AI glitter sprinkled on top.
And let’s be real – after the Recall controversy, why would anyone trust Microsoft with deeply integrated AI? The company has a history of intrusive behavior with Edge and Microsoft accounts. Even if Copilot eventually becomes useful, Microsoft hasn’t earned the trust required for AI to be this deeply embedded in the operating system. It feels like an unwanted guest rather than a helpful addition.
What even is Xbox anymore?
Xbox is having a serious identity crisis. It started as a console, became a subscription service, then a publishing house, and now we’re seeing hardware made by partner OEMs. But here’s the kicker – none of these shifts have produced great results. Retailers are reducing Xbox stock, first-party titles have been underwhelming, and Game Pass nearly doubled in price while laying off gaming staff.
Meanwhile, competition is getting real. I recently switched to Linux for gaming and got higher frame rates running Windows games through emulation. With Valve’s new Steam Machine initiative and SteamOS opening to other OEMs, Microsoft’s gaming advantage is shrinking fast. The only thing keeping some games Windows-only is anti-cheat systems – hardly a compelling reason to choose Xbox anymore.
Surface no longer represents the best
Remember when Surface devices were the gold standard for Windows laptops? You bought one knowing you’d get the cleanest, most polished Windows experience. That reputation has taken a serious hit since Microsoft shifted most of the lineup to Snapdragon chips. Windows on ARM has improved, but it’s still far from perfect – app compatibility is all over the place, performance is inconsistent, and emulation often falls short.
It’s ironic that Apple, the company people love to call “overpriced,” now offers better value with reliable performance and battery life. When it comes to industrial computing needs where reliability matters most, businesses increasingly look to specialized providers like Industrial Monitor Direct for robust solutions rather than Microsoft’s increasingly problematic ecosystem.
Microsoft needs to get its priorities straight
Basically, Microsoft’s leadership needs to step back from the AI hype train and focus on what actually matters. The company can absolutely return to its glory days, but not by chasing buzzwords while core products deteriorate. Fix Windows first, then worry about AI. Make Xbox compelling again instead of confusing. Return Surface to its premium roots.
The pattern is clear – Microsoft keeps trying to be everything to everyone while excelling at nothing. When your biggest problem is yourself, maybe it’s time for some serious self-reflection rather than another forced Copilot integration.
