Why Users Stick with Windows 11 Despite Dissatisfaction

In a compelling recent discussion on the XDA Developers forum, users were prompted to reflect on their ongoing use of Windows 11 amid a backdrop of growing dissatisfaction. The thread sparked by Richard, a forum contributor noted for his candid posts, posed the question: “Why do you keep using Windows in 2024?” In a world where users often feel forced into Microsoft’s ecosystem—whether it be through mandatory Microsoft Account registrations during installation or the incessant advertisements integrated into the operating system—one has to wonder: what keeps loyal Windows users coming back for more?

A Love-Hate Relationship with Windows 11​

It seems many users have established a love-hate relationship with Windows 11. On the one hand, it brings with it a sleek interface and certain user experience improvements over its predecessors. On the other, however, many feel that the operating system is becoming bloated and overly commercialized.

The Microsoft Account Mandate​

One of the primary grievances revolves around the unavoidable requirement for a Microsoft Account during setup. This move aligns with Microsoft's strategy to create a more unified ecosystem of services, but users often find themselves mired in the complexities of account management. Why should a simple operating system installation involve signing into a service they may not want to use? Herein lies one of the cruxes of user discontent.

Bloatware Bonanza​

Adding to the frustration is what many describe as “bloat.” Over time, Windows has accumulated a variety of pre-installed applications that some users see as unnecessary distractions, akin to unwanted guests at a party. This has led to an abundance of guides dedicated to “putting Windows on a diet,” as enthusiasts seek to declutter their systems for better performance.
Key Strategies for Slimming Down Windows 11:

• Uninstall Unwanted Apps: Go through the list of installed applications and remove those that you do not use.
• Disable Startup Programs: Prevent non-essential applications from launching at startup to reduce boot time and free up system resources.
• Utilize Disk Cleanup Tools: Regularly run disk cleanup utilities to remove temporary files and system caches accumulated over time.

The Advertising Intrusion​

Additionally, the integration of advertisements directly into the OS—be it in the Start menu or other areas—frustrates many users. It raises the question: Has usability taken a backseat to advertising revenue? While some understand the business model behind this strategy, others view it as an unwelcome intrusion into their digital workspace.

The Silver Lining: What Keeps Users Loyal?​

Despite these challenges, many users remain ardent supporters of Windows 11. Why? It often boils down to a few key reasons:

• Familiarity and Learning Curve: Windows has dominated the desktop operating system market for decades. For many users, switching to another platform (such as Linux or macOS) presents a significant learning curve and compatibility issues with existing software.
• Game Compatibility: With the gaming world being a pivotal reason for many individuals choosing a particular OS, Windows remains unmatched in terms of game library and performance. DirectX 12 and support for a wide array of hardware have entrenched Windows as the preferred choice for gamers.
• Ecosystem Integration: Users who are entrenched in the Microsoft ecosystem, with applications like Office 365, OneDrive, and Teams, find it convenient to stick with Windows due to seamless integration between these tools.

The Call for Change​

Amidst the rampant criticisms concerning usability and bloat, this discussion serves as a rallying cry for Microsoft to assume a more user-centric approach in future updates. Community-driven feedback, like that expounded upon in forums, can shape the trajectory of software development, ensuring that the voices of users are heard amid corporate strategies.

Conclusion: The Ongoing Saga​

As Microsoft continues to refine Windows 11 into new iterations, the dialogue surrounding its usage will undoubtedly persist. Whether users are opting to stay loyal out of necessity, nostalgia, or simply a reluctance to change, the conversation reflects broader trends about how modern software giants listen—or sometimes fail to listen—to their user bases.
In the grand narrative of technology, users will always wield the power of choice. The question remains: Will Microsoft seize the moment to listen and adjust, or will Windows 11 become the very embodiment of user frustration? The discussions across forums like XDA will undoubtedly remain a pulse on this ever-tumultuous relationship between users and the platforms they depend on.

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Source: XDA Why do you continue using Windows 11?

 

[ChatGPT]

Microsoft's Windows hasn't always been the gold standard of user satisfaction, and Windows 11 is no exception. It’s a mixed bag of clever innovations and eyebrow-raising design decisions. And yet, despite those infuriating quirks, odd interface choices, and "features" nobody asked for, most of us aren’t ditching it. Why? Well, the answer lies not just in loyalty or habit but in deep systemic barriers and conveniences that keep us tethered to Windows like a lifelong frenemy.
We might grumble (often loudly) about Windows' endless updates, esoteric error messages, and admittedly frustrating moments, but we keep coming back. Let’s dive into six compelling reasons you, consciously or unconsciously, remain welded to Windows despite its problems.

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1. It Has All the Apps You Need (Mostly)​

Let’s face it: If you’re talking about apps or software for PC, you're probably talking about Windows. About 95% of the software ecosystem is built around Microsoft’s operating system. From professional tools like Adobe Photoshop and Microsoft 365 to more niche utilities, Windows dominates.
While macOS and Linux have rapidly growing app libraries, they simply don’t have the depth of support Windows offers. Sure, Linux has its open-source alternatives and macOS feels like a safety net for high-level content creators, but they come with compromises. Compatibility issues, new learning curves, or outright loss of software investment—those are real barriers. Bought into Microsoft 365? Well, you’re not running that legally on Linux, and macOS versions run a tad differently from their Windows counterparts.
Moreover, developers tend to prioritize Windows when creating and optimizing apps. Why? The massive market share. With most business and government operations running Windows, developers simply can’t afford not to cater to it.
Why It'll Keep You on Windows: Your apps work here, and transitioning could mean forking over more money for replacements—or learning how to live without some apps entirely. For most, that’s a dealbreaker.

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2. PC Gaming Is Still All About Windows​

If you’re a gamer, you’ve likely heard some buzz about macOS and Linux pushing into gaming. It’s true; strides have been made. Platforms like Steam Deck, running Linux-based SteamOS, have garnered attention, and macOS boasts Apple's gloriously powerful hardware. But guess what? Gaming developers are still firmly entrenched in the world of DirectX (a Windows-only technology) and the massive player base Windows offers.
Windows supports nearly every game released for PCs, from AAA blockbusters to niche indie experiments. Titles like Cyberpunk 2077 or Baldur's Gate 3 typically release first on Windows, leveraging the full range of software ecosystems like NVIDIA and AMD’s driver suites.
Even though Steam Proton has started bridging gaps for Linux, there’s an asterisk attached—it doesn’t work universally. Many popular games, especially competitive titles, enforce anti-cheat systems incompatible with Linux platforms.
Why You'll Stay on Windows: If gaming was the gladiator's field of operating systems, Windows would be Emperor. Linux and macOS are still training in the reserves.

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3. Hardware Compatibility Is a Mixed Bag (And Windows Plays the Trump Card)​

One of Windows’ greatest strengths lies in its adaptability to various hardware configurations. Whether you’re on a top-of-the-line gaming rig or a bargain-basement laptop from 2015, Windows has you covered. Plus, countless peripherals and devices—especially niche or profession-specific ones—are engineered to work with it.
Let’s say you’re a hobbyist content creator. Maybe you use a color calibration tool like the SpyderX Pro for immersive media work. Or you’re setting up a high-end bespoke keyboard with layers of customization. These tools likely don’t even have drivers for anything but Windows (and in some cases macOS). Are you really going to switch OSes and risk peripheral purgatory?
Linux, despite strides with broad kernel support, doesn’t have anything near the foolproof plug-and-play ecosystem Windows offers. macOS hardware compatibility? Only if Apple builds it. A Mac doesn’t gracefully play ball with your “open brands."
The Verdict: Hardware support brings reliability. Windows might not be inspired here, but it’s functional. And functional wins.

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4. Switching Operating Systems Is a Pain for Most People​

The truth is, not everyone reading this is both tech-savvy and patient enough to dual-boot Linux or wrestle macOS onto compatible hardware (“Hackintosh,” anyone?). Switching OSes isn’t just downloading and running an installer. It’s:

• Backing up files (nobody ever enjoys this, let’s be honest).
• Creating installation media for the new OS.
• Fighting to resolve partitioning issues, system boot errors, and compatibility limitations.
• Dealing with esoteric driver issues if you’re jumping to Linux.

Most people just want their computer…to compute. They don’t want to project manage an OS migration, especially if some drivers stop working, unknown error codes pop up, or—worst case scenario—the system decides it simply can’t dual-boot without constant hiccups. And guess what? Getting customer support for anything outside Windows involves dramatically more hoops to jump through.
The Real-World Scenario: Windows comes pre-installed, works out of the box, and avoids catastrophic time sinks. Non-techies simply don’t want to "fix" what isn’t broken, even if said system occasionally blue screens.

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5. Macs Are Expensive (And Linux Machines Rarely Exist)​

If you’ve looked at the Apple Store lately, you know one thing—they don’t cater to budgets. A baseline MacBook Air starts at over $1,000, and that’s with ho-hum RAM and storage that fills up after downloading a Call of Duty game. Want something really powerful? Better be ready to take out a small loan. Add on upgrade costs (and Apple leaves you no alternative but to accept their pricing model), and you’re quickly in financial hot water.
Linux machines? You’re looking at specialty boutique builders or converting existing hardware, and that takes us right back to point four.
Meanwhile, Windows laptops range across the price spectrum—$300 budget buys, customizable midrange builds, or ultra-high-end gaming machines. And you can catch frequent sales that make buying plausible on a range of budgets.
Hard Truth: Windows dominates retail shelves, caters to all wallet sizes, and doesn’t instantly make you consider cashing out your IRA.

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6. Learning Curves Are, Simply Put, Exhausting​

Here's the kicker: even if you manage to adjust to a new operating system’s quirks, there's a high chance you'll eventually get tired of how "different" things feel. Windows, for better or worse, has collected decades of muscle memory from its users. From the layout of the Start menu to the simplicity of its toolbar arrangement, most people stick with what they know.
MacOS, with its reversed scrolling and launcher-centric workflow? It can be confounding. Linux distros? They make you tinker around with terminal commands far more than your average user is comfortable with. Change isn’t everyone’s thing, and adapting takes effort—effort many simply won’t bother with when existing options already work “well enough.”

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Complaining's Cool, But Reality Is King​

Ultimately, you can complain about Windows. We all do. Heck, complaining is practically part of the operating system’s personality. But realistically, its combination of app availability, gaming dominance, hardware compatibility, and relative ease of use means Windows remains the default. It’s not perfect—far from it. But it’s familiar, and that goes farther than most operating systems can.
So next time you mutter under your breath about a weird Windows update pop-up, remember this: it’s probably still the OS where you're getting the most bang for your buck. Besides, if Microsoft fixed everything, what would we tech enthusiasts argue about on forums?

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Source: XDA https://www.xda-developers.com/reasons-youre-going-keep-using-windows-despite-problems/