- 2025 was a frustrating year for Windows 11, with AI overreach, unpredictable updates, and bugs eroding trust.
- Continuous Innovation and CFR created inconsistent user experiences.
- Some improvements (gaming, recovery tools, and interface refinements) show that Windows can still deliver.
- Stability, optional AI, consistent design, and user-focused updates should be Microsoft’s top priorities for 2026.
For Windows fans, 2025 was meant to be a year of renewal. Windows 10 reached the end of support in October, giving Microsoft a rare chance to refine Windows 11 and rebuild trust in its desktop operating system.
Instead, the year became a cautionary tale. Users encountered a slew of bugs, incomplete features, and frequent interface changes. Windows 11 no longer felt polished. It felt like a testing ground where users had no say. As Windows Central also noted, it currently feels like no one likes Windows 11.
For the first time in years, frustration with Windows is no longer quiet. It’s loud, widespread, and impossible to ignore.
Why AI became more of a problem than a solution
Nearly every major Windows announcement this year centered on AI. Features such as Copilot, Recall, and cloud-based tools were integrated into core apps (Notepad, File Explorer, and Outlook) whether users wanted them or not.
AI itself isn’t the problem. The issue lies in how it was prioritized. Features often felt forced, rushed, or incomplete. They relied heavily on cloud connectivity and data collection, raising both privacy and security concerns.
Instead of improving the user experience, AI became a source of confusion, clutter, and frustration. The result? Windows 11 felt less like a user-first platform and more like a showcase for Microsoft’s AI ambitions.
Continuous innovation vs. user trust
Microsoft’s “Continuous Innovation” strategy promised frequent updates and rapid feature delivery. In practice, it created unpredictability. Controlled Feature Rollouts (CFR) meant two identical computers could behave entirely differently after installing the latest updates.
Monthly updates became a gamble. Features appeared without warning, bugs crept in regularly, and the learning curve for users grew steeper. Stability and reliability (the hallmarks of a desktop operating system) took a backseat to speed and experimentation.
Even the annual version updates lost meaning. Windows 11 25H2 offered few differences from 24H2 because new features were delivered across both releases at the same time.
Inconsistencies and apps frustrate users
Windows 11 still struggles to present a coherent experience. Some apps use modern interface elements, while others rely on slower, web-based components. Core apps like Outlook remain inconsistent, with the legacy desktop version performing better than the new web-driven variant.
Design inconsistencies, incomplete features, and unexpected changes have left users feeling unable to rely on the platform for predictable day-to-day work.
Some progress amid the chaos
Not everything about Windows 11 was bad in 2025. For example, Windows 11 remained the best platform for PC gaming, with better controller support and system-level optimizations.
Updates to recovery tools, including the release of the Quick Machine Recovery, now make it easier to recover a system after a faulty update.
Also, the dark mode experience is more consistent, the redesigned Start menu is an improvement, and small features make the operating system a little more productive.
These wins show that the software giant can still deliver value by focusing on fundamentals. However, they were overshadowed by broader frustrations.
What Microsoft should do in 2026
Windows 11 needs a reset in approach. Key priorities should include moving from monthly feature churn to quarterly updates and meaningful annual releases.
AI should enhance the experience, not define it. Users should control where and how it appears, and any feature should come as an optional install. The AI feature packages shouldn’t be included in the operating system by default.
The company should ensure core apps and interface elements behave predictably and reliably, stop pushing experimental features without warning, and improve transparency.
If Microsoft doesn’t adjust course, the frustrations of 2025 may only be the beginning. A new, user-focused strategy (or even a clean-slate Windows 12) could be what the platform needs to regain credibility and trust.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert and founder of Pureinfotech in 2010. With over 22 years as a technology writer and IT Specialist, Mauro specializes in Windows, software, and cross-platform systems such as Linux, Android, and macOS.
Certifications: Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA), Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP), VMware Certified Professional (VCP), and CompTIA A+ and Network+.
Mauro is a recognized Microsoft MVP and has also been a long-time contributor to Windows Central.
You can follow him on YouTube, Threads, BlueSky, X (Twitter), LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].