Feel free to watch the video that inspired this article.
Ah, Microsoft Windows. If you’ve touched a computer in the last few decades, chances are you’ve come across this iconic operating system. It’s like the McDonald’s of software—everywhere, familiar, and reliable (most of the time). Windows debuted in 1985, a time when computers were just boxes with blinking green text. It added color, graphics, and opened the door to the magic of clicking on things instead of typing cryptic commands. Fast forward to today, and we’re dealing with Windows 11, which, let’s be honest, feels like a shiny new version of Windows 10 but with a few questionable changes. So, what happened along the way? Let’s dive into how Windows went from revolutionary to, well… a bit annoying.
Windows 95: The Superstar of the OS World
Remember when Windows 95 came out? People were lining up outside stores like it was a new iPhone. It had the legendary Start button, taskbar, and a much cleaner interface. It was the Beyoncé of operating systems—dominant, polished, and everyone wanted a piece of it. Microsoft was crushing the competition and Windows 95 became a huge commercial success. This was a time when it felt like Windows was genuinely here to make our lives easier.
Windows XP & Windows 7: The Golden Age of Windows
Fast forward to Windows XP and Windows 7. These were like the golden retrievers of operating systems—stable, reliable, and just plain likable. XP was the workhorse that kept things running for years, while Windows 7 polished everything up to perfection. These were the versions where it felt like Microsoft really got it right. The user experience was smooth, the performance was solid, and you didn’t have to wrestle with your computer every time you turned it on. Ah, the good old days.
Windows 8: The Beginning of the “Wait… What?” Era
Then came Windows 8, and suddenly things got weird. Microsoft decided it wanted to unify desktops and tablets, which sounded cool in theory but in practice…not so much. The Start menu? Gone. In its place? The “Metro” interface, which felt like a giant tablet UI awkwardly forced onto your desktop. Long-time users were like, “What is this?” and Windows 8 became that version of Windows that everyone tried to avoid.
Windows 10: From Hero to Ad Platform
When Windows 10 came out in 2015, it was supposed to be the “final” version of Windows. Microsoft even called it “Windows as a Service,” which sounded like a promise of continuous improvements. But as updates rolled in, it became more like “Windows as an Ad Platform.” Suddenly, you had ads popping up in your Start menu, Microsoft pushing its Edge browser down your throat, and don’t even get me started on those “forced updates” that strike at the worst possible times. It was like your friendly operating system had become a pushy salesman.
Windows 11: New Paint, Same Problems?
Now we have Windows 11, which feels like Microsoft put a fresh coat of paint on Windows 10 and called it a day. Sure, the interface looks nice and there are some cool features, but underneath it all, it’s still got the same bloat and pushy updates. Plus, they threw in new hardware requirements (TPM 2.0, anyone?) that left a lot of users stuck on Windows 10. Maybe that’s why Windows 11 has less than half the market share of its older sibling, Windows 10. People just aren’t rushing to upgrade.
The Antitrust Drama: Microsoft’s Battle with the Government
Let’s take a trip back to the 90s when Microsoft was riding high and, well, maybe a little too high. In 1998, the U.S. government hit Microsoft with an antitrust lawsuit. The issue? Microsoft was bundling its Internet Explorer browser with Windows, which made it nearly impossible for other browsers to compete. Bill Gates’ internal memo, often called the “Internet Tidal Wave” memo, revealed Microsoft’s plan to dominate the browser wars. The case dragged on, and Microsoft eventually had to make some concessions, but their “crush the competition” mentality never really went away. They just found sneakier ways to do it.
Ads, Bloatware, and Everything in Between
Now, let’s talk about the real pain point of modern-day Windows: ads and bloatware. Open up a new Windows PC, and it’s like walking into a virtual department store. There’s stuff you didn’t ask for everywhere—Candy Crush, anyone? On top of that, you’ve got Microsoft trying to convince you to use Edge, OneDrive, and Microsoft 365 at every turn. It’s like your operating system is trying to hustle you. It’s no wonder so many people are sticking to Windows 10 or even jumping ship to alternatives like Linux.
Conclusion: The Good, The Bad, and the Annoying
So, where does that leave us? Microsoft Windows has had an incredible journey—from the revolutionary Windows 95 to the bloat-filled Windows 11. It’s still the most widely used operating system in the world, but the cracks are starting to show. While Windows used to be all about making computing easier and more accessible, today it feels more like a giant billboard trying to sell you stuff. Whether you stick with Windows or explore alternatives, one thing’s for sure: it’s been a wild ride.
Pro tip: If you want to get rid of all the bloatware on Windows 10/11, give LeDragoX’s Win-Debloat-Tools a try! Believe it or not, Windows 11 Pro now feels like Ubuntu, but better for gaming.