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[LectureMaster]

CES 2025: The year of the Windows 11 PC refresh

As we reflect on the innovation and advancements of 2024, we are optimistic about the future and the potential that lies ahead in 2025 and beyond for computing and the Windows PC. 2024 will be remembered as a transformative year when many experience

blogs.windows.com

Microsoft declares 2025 the year of Windows 11

Slumping market share, unwanted features ... no, it's the consumers who are wrong!

www.theregister.com

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CES Microsoft is continuing its push for users to adopt its new software paradigm, declaring 2025 "the year of the Windows 11 PC refresh" and reminding everyone that Windows 10's end-of-support date is just around the corner.

That declaration was made in a blog post today by Microsoft EVP and consumer chief marketing officer Yusuf Mehdi ahead of CES 2025, which opens tomorrow in Las Vegas. Mehdi focused on hyping up all the new AI features that come with OS' updated hardware requirements, and how those specifications also enhance security.

"We believe that Windows 11 is available at a time when the world needs it most – providing advanced AI capabilities and modern security benefits that customers expect in 2025 and beyond," Mehdi said. "As the world moves with us to Windows 11, we will welcome them with new features, enhanced security, improved functionality, and the familiar Windows experience they know and love."

Not that users have much of a choice to move with Microsoft to a Windows 11 world - support for Windows 10 ends on October 14, 2025, after which date the then 10-year-old OS will stop receiving security or feature updates. Mehdi describes this as "helping customers stay protected by moving to modern new PCs," but the marketing speak doesn't necessarily line up with reality.

As we've noted several times in recent months, the adoption of Windows 11 is severely lagging three years on from release. Windows 11's share of the PC OS market even fell in recent months, according to StatCounter, with Windows 10 still present on more than 60 percent of PCs as of the end of 2024.

Canalys analyst Kieren Jessop even told The Register in an earlier interview that it wasn't uncommon for enterprises to "downgrade their newly procured Win11 devices to Win10" because the aging OS was more stable and had greater compatibility with other systems.

Microsoft, meanwhile, continues to tout its Copilot+ branded AI PCs as "the fastest, most intelligent" machines around that "set new benchmarks for speed, intelligence and security," but that hype doesn't match up with user experience, either.

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[LordCBH]

We believe that Windows 11 is available at a time when the world needs it most

Oh do fuck off, Microsoft.

 

[DeepEnigma]

Windows 11 Vista

 

[Syphon Filter]

Windows 11 Vista

vista was good.

 

[Skyfox]

It’s spyware with ads. Good luck fixing that

 

[DeepEnigma]

vista was good.

No.

 

[Crayon]

I just got dispensed a new computer at work and it has Windows 11. It's got popups about all kinds of dumb shit and the start menu has to load in crap. Its up against 16gb just doing browser work. I feel sorry for people who do this at home.

 

[LavitzSlambert]

 

[DaleinCalgary]

I do feel bad for people that are forced to use windows.

 

[MayauMiao]

Microsoft, meanwhile, continues to tout its Copilot+ branded AI PCs as "the fastest, most intelligent" machines around that "set new benchmarks for speed, intelligence and security," but that hype doesn't match up with user experience, either.

---

If only that AI they brag about can fix Windows 11 itself.

New year, new Windows 11 24H2 bug to add to the list: 13 and counting

Microsoft's official 24H2 update for Windows 11 has been saddled with one bug after another. Here's why you might want to avoid updating and what you may find if you jump into the new version now.

www.zdnet.com

 

[Trogdor1123]

I use 11 but it’s kinda meh. It has some good layouts in the settings I like and seems to have decent compatibility but it sort of ends there. The speed they cut 10 off is crazy. I’d switch to another os when I can. Definitely considering going to Apple

 

[Dirk Benedict]

vista was good.

Vista was fucking DOG SHIT. When Windows 7 dropped, I heard Angels sing and the world was righted.

 

[VolticArchangel]

Daily reminder to Windows 10 people,, and even Windows 11, do this for your peace of mind. It is time.

 

[DownLikeBCPowder]

Every time I update Windows, I do my best to make it visually look like Windows 95 or 98. Every edition it feels like this gets harder and harder for me to accomplish. I used to use start shell and other things because Microsoft has a completely different idea than I do about what the Start Menu and Taskbar should be and look like.

That said, Windows 11 is okay so far, it came with a work related laptop. I prefer 10 to this, but wish I could just go back to highly customized and ultra light weight Tiny XP.

 

[Unknown Soldier]

My main laptop is a MacBook Pro but I voted for Win11 because all my Windows machines use it

 

[LectureMaster]

Topher How's the system holding up? Consider upgrade this time maybe? Should have failsafe to should you delete the computer again.

 

[Pidull]

Microsoft can get bent for all I care, I'll sooner switch to Linux than move to Windows 11. Every experience I've had with their new OS has been God awful.

Honestly, I miss Windows 7. Ever since they started pushing too many features, it's been impossible for me to file manage effectively. OneDrive only makes in worse.

 

[sigmaZ]

I do feel bad for people that are forced to use windows.

I feel bad for people who have to hate on Windows to uphold personal insecurities and an identity based around fanboying and gaslighting oneself. Any OS is as functional as it is for what you need it for and how you can tailor it to your own needs.

 

[Topher]

Topher How's the system holding up? Consider upgrade this time maybe? Should have failsafe to should you delete the computer again.

Nah....I'm good. I finally figured out how to get the cup holder to work.

 

[LectureMaster]

Nah....I'm good. I finally figured out how to get the cup holder to work.

Beat me every time. That's the wisdom only an old man could have gained over years.

 

[LavitzSlambert]

I have an aging Windows 10 PC that doesn't support 11 (not that I'd be considering it anyway). Microsoft actually thinks people having to buy new hardware are going to choose Windows, lol. Maybe for businesses that have no other choice, but they are about to decimate their consumer segment between people oblivious to this (or don't have modern hardware), and enthusiasts who can't stand Windows.

 

[Edgelord79]

vista was good.

There’s one or two in every thread.

 

[Prekk]

Vista was fucking DOG SHIT. When Windows 7 dropped, I heard Angels sing and the world was righted.

Windows 7 was 99% the same as Vista. Windows 7 basically was just a re-release of Vista with better driver support and a slightly tweaked UI with less transparency.

 

[Mortisfacio]

Daily reminder to Windows 10 people,, and even Windows 11, do this for your peace of mind. It is time.

I have a linux box, but until linux gets equal to performance of windows for gaming, I'm forever going to have a windows machine. I just do less and less non-gaming on my windows machine. Last I saw Win 11 vs Ubuntu 4090 perf charts, Ubuntu was a good 10% lower FPS on average.

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

nah dawg

 

[DaciaJC]

support for Windows 10 ends on October 14, 2025, after which date the then 10-year-old OS

 

[Wintereq]

I want Windows 7 back.

 

[diffusionx]

Make Windows XP again

 

[Dirk Benedict]

Windows 7 was 99% the same as Vista. Windows 7 basically was just a re-release of Vista with better driver support and a slightly tweaked UI with less transparency.

Yet, it was still better. I used both extensively. I'm not coming here to spout off because I never used either. Regardless of why it was better, it just was. I had more compatibility with games and apps, no weird fucking crashes, no hardware mishaps with Windows 7. With vista, I had all of that and more.

 

[FunkMiller]

Well then, we all declare it the year of the Microsoft Activation Script.

 

[Barakov]

So they're going to make it worse? Wonderful. Also, MS :

 

[Magic Carpet]

Steam OS in March. Windows gets a few months.

 

[Boss Mog]

XP, 7 and 10 were the good Windows.

 

[Prekk]

Yet, it was still better. I used both extensively. I'm not coming here to spout off because I never used either. Regardless of why it was better, it just was. I had more compatibility with games and apps, no weird fucking crashes, no hardware mishaps with Windows 7. With vista, I had all of that and more.

Yes. We did software deployment on Vista right after release and it was bad. That's true.
After the driver issues were resolved, especially after Windows 7 was released, it was fine though.

Later on there were no differences between Windows 7 and Vista in regard to stability or performance. Windows 7 is or should/could have been a service pack.

 

[Dirk Benedict]

Ah, a Software Developer. I am coming from an End User's experience. Lol.

 

[CuNi]

A bit naive, but I genuinely hoped that the end of support for Windows 10 being this late would be the perfect moment to unveil the next windows OS.
I myself use 11 but man, it feels like the same os since 7 with a new UI baked on top every now and then.
I wonder if Windows will ever get a core redesign and get rid of all the bloat from the past 20 years and more.

 

[Optimus Lime]

I've already prepared my Windows 10 machine for the OS sunset by installing Linux. Fuck off Microsoft.

 

[adamsapple]

Make it light weight, ease up on the requirements so xyz number of people are locked out of it for arbitrary reasons etc etc.

 

[Nitty_Grimes]

Well 2025 is finally there year for Xbox so it might aswell be the year for Windows too.

 

[nikos]

Seems like people are having completely different experiences on the same exact OS. Must not know how to use or optimize Windows.

Pretty crazy for a gaming forum mostly comprised of people who have been using computers since the 90s.

 

[digital_ghost]

Get rid of blue screens Microsoft . Or make it easy to fucking fix. Returned a brand new computer because of that shit .

Going to install steam os as soon as its available for pc.

 

[Fess]

What was that AI OS thing Jensen talked about at Nvidia’s event? I didn’t catch the name of the OS, he said it was rolling out to computer manufacturer right now, seemed like the kiss of death for Windows 11.

Edit-checked the video, he says Windows WSO2, you download it to your PC and ”it’ll just work” and make your PC an AI computer. Seemed big.

 

[TransTrender]

Blow it out your ass MS
SteamOS will be my next stop

 

[Skifi28]

It's like extortion at this point.

 

[Sunkrest]

I'm in the process of checking different Linux distros right now (good thing I have AMD GPU). Bazzite looks the most interesting so far.

Windows 11 is not as bad as Windows 8 when it comes to everyday experience but I had my share of crashes. I have constant issues with Bluetooth as well. Even my Xbox controller. I have lots of stupid little bugs I didn't have with W7 and W10. The main concern right now I have with W11 is privacy. I checked yesterday and I have 'inactive' recall installed. I simply don't trust MS anymore. Open Source solutions are safer.

 

[kyubajin]

Haven't used Windows in about 15 years, is it now worse than it was back then?

 

[ShirAhava]

vista was good.

Vista was GREAT!

Windows 7 was still Windows Vista under the hood with all the kinks worked out and the good things perfectly refined

The only truly bad Windows OS are ME and 11

 

[efyu_lemonardo]

Windows 7 was 99% the same as Vista. Windows 7 basically was just a re-release of Vista with better driver support and a slightly tweaked UI with less transparency.

Better driver support alone goes a very long way towards an improved user experience.

Compatibility is my biggest fear about switching to Linux but I'll have to get over it.

 

[efyu_lemonardo]

Later on there were no differences between Windows 7 and Vista in regard to stability or performance. Windows 7 is or should/could have been a service pack.

It may have been intended as a service pack at one time but the terrible launch of Vista caused such a backlash it forced MS to rebrand. Similar thing happened with Windows 8 to 10, they gave 10 away for free to get users to upgrade from 7.

 

[xrnzaaas]

I'm rooting for Steam OS to become more popular. We desperately need a (user-friendly) alternative to Windows.