During CES, I felt some genuine excitement about Windows 11 PCs. Then, I was brought down by yet another week of Microsoft blunders, mistakes, and poorly communicated messages.
If you hop into the comment section of articles on Windows Central, you'll see people calling our team of writers "haters." Some even accuse us of sharing slam pieces to boost engagement.
I appreciate people jumping into the comments and sharing thoughts — our community has always stood out due to the combined experience and knowledge of our readers. I feel like some clarification is needed.
I want Windows 11 to be great. I see the things that PCs can do and benefit from the backward compatibility of Windows 11 and the operating system's vast feature set.
I've heard people argue about if people in my position are bloggers or journalists. I understand why someone would think I view my work here as simply a passion project about an OS I love. I do genuinely enjoy covering tech.
I also think we have a duty to hold a mirror up to tech giants who have placed profits over people.
Anything that holds a mirror up to Microsoft and AI obsession is worth it imo.January 15, 2026
Over the last week, our team covered a tool that removes AI features from Windows 11, reported on Windows users flocking to a specific Linux distro, and wrote about Jeff Bezos predicting people will ditch Windows PCs in favor of the cloud.
These stories are just part of a trend that's become too real for people passionate about Windows. My colleague, Cale Hunt, summed up the current state of Windows perfectly:
"PC hardware has never been better. Too bad Windows can't keep up."
Tech is supposed to be useful. It's also supposed to be fun. Microsoft's obsession with AI and lack of focus on the core of Windows 11 distances the company from both of those goals.
My frustration with Windows 11 and Microsoft doesn't come from a place of "hate" — it comes from a place of high expectations. Whether Microsoft chooses to listen to its core enthusiasts or continues its current path toward an AI-bloated future remains to be seen. In the meantime, it's worth facing a mirror toward Redmond.
Weekly Windows Wrap: The Big News
Weekly Windows Wrap: How-tos
Not coincidentally given the theme of the week, our latest how-to guide breaks down how to get rid of the Copilot app on Windows 11.
Sales on Windows 11 PCs
While I'm frustrated with the state of Windows 11, PCs running the OS are still essential tools. The following PCs are on sale and provide excellent value for productivity, gaming, or creative work.
How do you feel about the current state of Windows 11? Does the operating system and the company behind it receive too much hate?
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