Windows Wrap: One team is fixing Windows 11 while others break it

When Windows suffers, Microsoft suffers. When Windows thrives, Microsoft thrives. Windows and Microsoft are so interlinked that I know many people who use the terms interchangeably.

Microsoft has a massive portfolio of apps and services that have little or nothing to do with Windows, but the operating system is still a key piece of Microsoft.

And Windows 11 is finally getting fixed. After years of negative feedback and a particularly harsh flurry of criticism over the last few months, the tech giant announced sweeping changes to Windows 11 development.

"We are evolving how Windows is built behind the scenes to raise the quality bar," said Microsoft.

True to their word, Microsoft revealed or confirmed several ways the Windows 11 experience will improve, including bringing back the option to pause Windows updates forever, and speeding up context menus, folder navigation, and file transfers.

A legendary Windows developer is building a Windows 11 team focus on creating "100% native" Windows apps and experiences.

Internally, Microsoft employees are fighting to improve Windows in other ways, though there's no word yet on if Microsoft will drop the Microsoft Account requirement for Windows 11.

But after taking steps forward, Microsoft slipped back to its old ways recently. Take a look at the biggest stories from the past week.

Biggest News Stories

Microsoft vs. Windows 11

Injectings "tips" that are definitely not ads into GitHub Copilot? Sneakily testing Edge starting up when people boot their PCs? These types of actions hinder a reputation from being rebuilt.

Toss in emerging news that the new Copilot app for Windows 11 is Microsoft Edge in disguise, and you have some significant players at Microsoft working against the push to improve Windows 11.

I do genuinely believe that Microsoft is working to improve Windows 11. I think the tech giant is driven by financial reports rather than altruism, but I still like the goal of an improved Windows.

Microsoft leadership needs to have a sit-down and commit to prioritizing consumers across all teams, or the meaningful changes that make their way to Windows 11 will be ignored.

Shopping with Sean

Microsoft at large and Windows 11 may be in a battle right now, but when it comes to shopping, big companies had a rare week of pushing in the same direction.

A string of sales at Amazon, Best Buy, and Dell slash the price of three highly rated gaming PCs. The devices are dramatically different in terms of form factor and price, but they all have massive discounts right now.

If you want to get away from the stress of Windows 11 updates and tech giant infighting, gaming is a good place to go.

RTX 5070 gaming laptop 💻

Save 32% ($900)

HP OMEN MAX Gaming Laptop 16": was $2,799.99 now $1,899.99 at Best Buy

"With a good-looking and high-quality aluminum design and some enticing add-ons like the overclockable "Unleashed" performance profile and unique auto fan cleaning, this laptop really can keep up with the best." ~ Zachary Boddy, former staff writer

Windows Central Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

View Deal

RTX 5060 gaming laptop 💻

Save 22% ($550)

Dell Alienware 16X Aurora Gaming Laptop: was $2,499.99 now $1,949.99 at Dell

"The Alienware Aurora laptops target the mid-range with great all-around performance and a practical design, and the more powerful 16X makes some smart upgrades to justify its added cost." ~ Zachary Boddy, former Staff Writer

Windows Central Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

View Deal

Portable Xbox PC gaming

Save 17% ($100)

ASUS ROG Xbox Ally: was $599.99 now $499.99 at Amazon

"The ROG Xbox Ally is a modest handheld that offers performance that's more on the level of the Steam Deck, making it one of the most direct competitors to Valve's device." — Rebecca Spear, Former Gaming and News Editor

Windows Central review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

View Deal

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