Windows 11 is criticized as a bad operating system. However, if you take a look at older Windows versions, it becomes clear that there have been unpopular versions of Windows before.
In a Reddit post, a user shows a picture of a nearly forgotten Windows version: Windows 8. With the words: “Those who say Windows 11 is the worst must be very young,” he points out that there have been bad start menus and less successful operating systems before.
Anyone who deals with PCs will eventually notice that the first drive is always called C. But why is that? You can find out in this video.
The Problems of Windows – Present and Past
What criticism is Windows 11 facing? Users often criticize the revised design, which many find cluttered or unnecessary. The center-aligned taskbar, the reduced context menu, and new system elements confuse some users. Additionally, there are technical complaints: Performance issues and annoying bugs are frequently mentioned. Intrusive features like the heavily integrated Microsoft services or the requirement to log in with a Microsoft account also meet with rejection.
The voices in the community, such as on Reddit, paint a divided picture. Some users find the system fundamentally functional and are willing to tolerate its weaknesses. Many recall that earlier Windows versions caused significantly greater problems. For others, frustration prevails. They see Windows 11 less as a step forward, but rather as a regression and wish for more control and clarity to return.
However, even if Windows 11 is not perfect in its current form, the development of Windows has not always been as user-friendly as we know it today.
What was it like in the past? Those who complain about Windows 11 today might have forgotten or never experienced how controversial earlier versions of the operating system were.
- Windows 8 (2012): With the complete overhaul of the user interface, Microsoft bid farewell to the familiar start menu and instead opted for a tile look that was primarily intended for touch devices. The classic desktop took a backseat. Although improvements came quickly with Windows 8.1, it couldn’t save the version’s reputation.
- Windows Vista (2007): Intended to impress with modern graphics effects and better security, in practice it was long loading times, driver issues, and compatibility problems that characterized the system. The hardware of many users simply was not powerful enough for Microsoft’s ambitious plans at that time.
- Windows ME (2000): The Millennium Edition was notorious for its instability: crashes, frozen systems, and data loss were part of everyday life. Many users still consider it the worst Windows of all time, an operating system that provided more frustration than function.
This is what the future looks like: As Windows tester Phantomofearth (via Bluesky) showed, Microsoft is planning to revise the start menu. The controversial recommendation section in the start menu will be made optional. This shows that even this operating system is still in flux. The reactions to Windows 11 seem to have been heard by the company. Whether that is enough to reconcile users with the system in the long term remains to be seen.
The clock is ticking for Windows 10 users as well. In a few months, Microsoft will end support for Windows 10. For years, the company has been trying to encourage users to switch to Windows 11.
While Microsoft is making improvements in many areas, from the start menu to system performance, an iconic element is also being left unchanged: the famous Blue Screen of Death. The company has now announced that it will redesign the BSOD as well. Visually, it will adapt more closely to Windows 11.
