Microsoft struggles to find solutions to Windows 11 problems
Windows 11 has been plagued by a range of issues, leaving both users and the tech giant grappling for solutions. Recent reports reveal that Microsoft has acknowledged the existence of certain problems within Windows 11 that it is currently unable to rectify. These issues have affected users of Windows 11 as well as those still using Windows 10, leading to frustration and uncertainty about the future of Microsoft's operating systems.
One prominent bug, as highlighted by Neowin, revolves around the Start menu, Windows search bar, and Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps, which fail to start or operate correctly for some users. Investigation into this matter suggests a connection with damaged registry keys and data associated with Microsoft Office apps, along with apps integrated with Office software, Windows, and Outlook. The bugs, however, do not affect all users, with reports of the issue surfacing since January of this year.
Microsoft can not get it fixed
Microsoft's response to the bug has left many disappointed, as it fails to offer a definitive fix for the problem. On its 'Health' webpage addressing the issue, Microsoft acknowledges that Windows search and UWP apps may not function as expected or encounter difficulties in the opening.
In an attempt to mitigate the problem, Microsoft has provided a workaround: users can uninstall apps that integrate with Windows, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Outlook, or Outlook Calendar. Unfortunately, the company does not provide a comprehensive list of the specific apps causing the issue, making it challenging for users to identify and resolve the problem effectively.
Dilemma of Microsoft
The suggested workaround poses a significant challenge for users who heavily rely on the affected apps. Uninstalling these apps may not be a viable option, leaving individuals with limited choices and no clear path to resolve the issue. Microsoft's admission of its own perplexity regarding the problem raises concerns about the overall stability and reliability of Windows 11, as well as its predecessor, Windows 10, which also experiences similar issues.
Developing and maintaining operating systems like Windows 11 is a complex undertaking. They must seamlessly interact with a wide range of hardware and software configurations, making it challenging to anticipate and resolve all potential issues. However, Microsoft's struggle in finding a suitable fix for these persistent problems is undoubtedly disconcerting. It raises questions about the company's ability to address critical issues and provide a stable user experience, casting doubt on the rumored development of Windows 12.
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Is the “Win 11 Explorer grabs focus bug” still a thing?
Because it sure is for me. I’ll have a work window open and SURPRISE I’m suddenly looking at Explorer again.
Tiring.
“Developing and maintaining operating systems like Windows 11 is a complex undertaking.” Seriously? You mean what they have been doing since the 1980s? They just need to focus on making stuff that works and stop with all the useless consumer garbage and all the dumb new “features” nobody asked for, cares about nor needs.
The real issue is that MS is a monopoly. They started off well enough – an operating system, some productivity apps (Excel, Word etc.). Then they got big and sloppy and lazy. They have no competition to speak of – Apple, Linux, and Google are in the rear view mirror. Hardware manufacturers of peripherals develop drivers pretty much for Windows and Intel has been a captive for years.
They’ve turned themselves into a marketing company hell bent on capturing customers, tracking their personal data and selling advertising impressions. They create customization of products in a vain attempt to introduce what they euphemistically call innovation in the hopes of keeping consumers engaged.
The barriers to entry for a competitor are too high. MS can afford to release buggy software – apologize profusely when it fails (which costs them nothing) – and allow consumers and enterprises to continue to be beta testers. Doesn’t matter if you want to move from Windows because you’re concerned about the stability and security of your platform. There are no effective competitors and the ones that might be substituted require a complete change in workflow or don’t support the applications or games that we’ve become dependent on. In many cases, the alternative requires technical sophistication that the ordinary user doesn’t have.
And we haven’t even discussed the impact on large corporate enterprises and the overhead MS generates in terms of additional staff and buggy products and updates.
And, of course, MS has effected regulatory capture as government entities that are charged with ensuring monopolies don’t establish predatory practices refuse to provide any control.
I see no end to this game and I see no end to the frustrations we have to endure.
The bulk of folks using Windows just want it to work – no changes in work flow, no breaking of functionality when updated or patched, no invasive capture of personal data or telemetry – just turn it on, do your work, turn it off.
Outside of folks that visit this website or haunt various technical forums the average user absolutely doesn’t know about how or cares to learn how to configure a browser or an operating system.
A shame – and now the introduction of AI into the mix pretty much sews things up for MS. So we continue to pay money to the industry with planned obsolescence now a feature and advertising a universal presence and reliance on a multi-billion dollar enterprise to protect our data and privacy.
“They have no competition to speak of – Apple, Linux, and Google are in the rear view mirror.”
“in the rear view mirror”?? You lost me. Apple, Linux and Google are the ones from whom M$ steals features “all day long”… since I can remember.
Now, if you’re talking about users… well, that’s a “user problem”. Alternatives are there for them to use. But, if they’re too blind, too moron, too stubborn or whatever… I’ll play the devil’s advocate for a second and point out that it’s not M$’s fault :shrugged:
the alternatives suck… no offence.
I am in a special camp of people that LOVES windows but not modern windows – I have a fully specced out Macbook since 2017 and my attempts to turn that device into a high productivity machine have only been semi-successful. Sure it can run something like Reaper a little bit better than my 2012 Ivy Bridge gaming PC, but it also ramps up to being louder than that desktop pc in the process!
Linux imo is very half-baked and much like Mac, only makes it easy to do the basics – as someone that’s done hundreds of Windows installs and dozens of Macbook setups I couldn’t even get Fedora to install itself to a sata ssd. Ubuntu was OK but it is again a Mac clone not a Windows clone, other issues inclue the fact I couldn’t even get fan control working through OS despite trying 2 cli programs – on Windows it takes 5 mins with speedfan.
People aren’t stupid for not loving mac/linux, the opposite: the massive number of users of Windows should serve as a point of learning for mac/linux.
Running Windows 11 these days feels like I am a permanent beta tester. Nothing terribly wrong, just nagging issues that make it less desirable to use.
Who knew firing developers & testers and instead focusing on implementing bloatware, telemetry, data harvesting and advertising could lead to serious issues..? I am baffled. It’s like some miracle, completely out of the blue one in a trillion gazillion chance kinda scenario. Too late for the toilet now, Microsoft, it’s in your pants and everyone can smell you.
Soggy post is correct, Microsoft has to get back to basics of stability rather then piling on more features. They need way more focus on fixing problems and right now they just seem to be creating problems.
The real question then becomes one of liability. Is Microsoft willing to compensate users voluntarily? If not, why not? And what does it take to make them pay?