Windows 11 appears to continue the trend, unfortunately
For those of you that haven’t been paying attention to Windows news, which I really can’t blame you for, Windows 11 has been announced and will be arriving before too long. While all information available is pre-release, and thus is prone to change, the trend towards ‘Macifying’ Windows appears to be continuing.
Looking at it, there appear to be a number of interesting improvements in Windows 11. But, they all seem to be things that can already be done other ways. Which I think illustrates the trend, and it’s disturbing implications.
Roll the clock back, Windows did a number of basic things. Not that many, but enough. Then you (the user) could do what you wanted on top of those. Sometimes that meant fiddling with settings. Often that meant installing additional programs. Whatever worked for you.
From that many ‘power users’ found ways to use the system in more efficient methods then were readily apparent. And developers created tools adding to Windows abilities. Over time, various of these tools and efficiency have been rolled into the core Windows experience. Which has been a benefit to all.
The downside comes in the increasing restrictions. The system has become more ‘one right way’ and less ‘do what you want’. Which has the side effect of lessening the number and/or skill of ‘power users’ and developers pushing the envelope of new and interesting things to do. Which will likely lead to less useful systems as time goes by.
No idea if this is a standard software life cycle process, or unique to Windows in some way. Regardless, I find myself less happy with each version of Windows that comes out. Sure, they all add new and useful features. But they also break previous features, and prevent past methods. On balance, I think we, the end user, comes out behind.
A bit extreme, but not inaccurate to say ‘Windows is increasingly Microsoft‘s computer’. They just let you use it, when convenient to them.
To be fair Apple, the other home operating system company, does the same thing. The difference is they have been a ‘walled garden‘ for a good long time. They don’t have the same history of being able to do whatever you want with your computer. Yet it was that flexibility that earned Windows the market share it still enjoys.
Also goes against previous statements about how ‘Windows 10 will be the last Windows, ever‘. Which was, of course, nonsense when it was said. But it does make it difficult to trust the system when it’s being made by clear liars.
As an aside, the history of Windows is one of flops being patched to the point of being re-released as a usable version. Usable 10 was built on the mess that was 8, 7 came from Vista, etc. As 10 has been usable, that would suggest 11 will be the flop to set the stage for 12 (or whatever name is used). Or maybe we all switch to Linux and this becomes moot. To some extent we already have with our phones…