I'll probably never use Windows

I'll probably never use Windows | WaspDev Blog Windows was one of the few operating systems that made personal computers accessible to everyday users. For many, Windows became (and still is) an inseparable part of the PC experience. Especially for non-technical users, the idea of an operating system hardly exists, it's simply the computer: a personal device for running programs, playing games, editing documents, watching videos, listening to music, chatting with friends, and exploring creativity. The operating system is the essential layer between the hardware and the user, enabling straightforward interaction with the machine. For years, Windows fulfilled this role, giving users reliable control over their PCs without interruptions or unexpected behavior. It quietly did its job, remaining largely unnoticed, much like the air we breathe: not always on our minds, but absolutely essential. When things started to get worse and why the big picture is concerning Of course, there have always been less successful versions of Windows, such as Windows ME (known for instability), Vista (criticized for being bloated and requiring overly powerful hardware for its time), and Windows 8/8.1 (stable, but with a tablet-focused interface). However, these were typically followed by well-received and refined releases like Windows 98, Windows XP, or Windows 7. In my opinion, Windows 7 was the last truly excellent version of Windows. After that, things began to decline. Windows 8 and 8.1 shifted the interface towards tablets and started pushing users to sign in with a Microsoft account. The changes became even more significant with Windows 10. Microsoft moved from treating Windows as a product to offering it as a service. They reduced their QA department, so much of the testing and experimentation now happens on end users. As a result, many PCs have been rendered unusable by problematic Windows 10 and 11 updates. The user interface also became more inconsistent, although Windows 11 has made slight improvements. Additionally, Windows has turned into an ad platform, increasing bloat and raising privacy concerns. Windows is becoming more similar to a thin client Microsoft is now aggressively moving things to the cloud, pushing AI everywhere and adding mandatory Microsoft account sign-in / sign-up during the initial setup , making it potentially easier to scan your files, track your activity and control your PC. I guess this will become even worse with nonsense like California's age verification law . I bought and owned a PC, why do I need an approval from some server to be able to use it? OK, somebody might say, if I do nothing illegal why it should concern me. It concerns me because governments and large corporations could harm citizens by leaking (whether accidentally or not) sensitive information about them. This can result in several nasty things (whether it's a result of abuse or a false positive error), such as persecution or denying them services, even when they are not guilty. Also, even when people break some laws, those laws might be very flawed. Some laws are absurd, like the mentioned California's age verification law. To those who use the "I have nothing to hide" argument, I would ask: Would you be comfortable with the government installing cameras in every room of your home, including the bathroom and bedroom or monitoring everything you search for and every website you visit, even in incognito mode? Accepting the idea of "I have nothing to hide" is essentially the same as accepting total surveillance and control, similar to what exists under totalitarian regimes. What are the alternatives? Look, I'm not some Linux or open source idealist and, unfortunately, Linux has many issues . Linux may not be for everyone, but it is arguably the best option for those who value privacy. Software and gaming support on Linux has also improved significantly; thanks to Proton, many more Steam games now run on Linux. If you're looking for a polished operating system and still care about privacy, macOS is probably the second best choice. Personally, I haven't used it as my main OS, and I don't think it's worth getting unless you already own, or plan to buy, a Mac. Hackintosh setups tend to have even more hardware compatibility issues than Linux. Although I use Linux now, I still rely on some proprietary or semi-proprietary software, like Steam, Chrome, or VS Code (ironically a Microsoft product). I don't believe all proprietary software is bad, it's just that the situation with Windows has become intolerable. Conclusion I'm deeply concerned about the direction Windows is taking. It's shifting away from the traditional model where the user owns and controls their PC and operating system. Unfortunately, most people don't notice these changes or realize their impact until they experience problems themselves. This is dangerous, as it allows governments and large corporations to gradually erode user autonomy and privacy. As the saying goes, if you heat the water gradually, the frog won't notice and may not escape until it's too late. It's important for people to become more informed and aware of these issues. Load Disqus comments Disqus uses cookies, please check Privacy & cookies before loading the comments. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus . ⬆ UP This site uses cookies for some services. By clicking Accept , you agree to their use. To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Privacy & cookies . Accept Reject