After years of warning, Windows 10 reaches the end of life in October 2025, and Windows 11 becomes the supported and default Microsoft operating system. Unfortunately, that transition has not been smooth or friendly to PC users.
The Verge's Tom Warren just released a massive new report saying that Microsoft is shifting its engineers to focus on resolving core issues with Windows 11 in an attempt to win back customer trust.
There are a lot of details about what's coming, and you should read Warren's article, but here's what you need to know.
“The feedback we’re receiving from our community of passionate customers and Windows Insiders has been clear. We need to improve Windows in ways that are meaningful for people,” Pavan Davuluri, president of Windows and devices, told Warren.
Running list of issues
Earlier this month, the company released its first 2026 patch that was meant to fix over 100 bugs, a fairly common monthly release. That patch was so broken that it introduced new bugs, including one that made it impossible to actually shut down your computer.
Between an infusion of seemingly unwanted AI, like the ongoing failure that is Recall, so much so that Microsoft has a new "Microslop" nickname. CEO Satya Nadella has begged people to stop calling AI slop.
Plus, the company has inserted advertisements into core Windows 11 functions, reportedly upsetting customers.
How will things get fixed?
Apparently, Microsoft has been tight-lipped about how it plans to improve Windows 11, but is using a process called "swarming," where teams of engineers are redirected to urgently solve Windows 11 performance issues.
"This year you will see us focus on addressing pain points we hear consistently from customers: improving system performance, reliability, and the overall experience of Windows," Davuluri said.
Windows is a dominant force in the computing world, from daily consumers to businesses. Even so, the missteps surrounding Windows 11 have eroded Microsoft's standing.
Tom's Guide will be tracking what Microsoft does this year to see if the engineers are capable of righting the boat.
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