They added ads, and integrated the system more tightly with their online services. Which is only good if you want to use those services. To me, it’s been a significant downgrade. Enough so that that i switched one of my travel laptop from Windows to Linux, the avoid the new “features”.
In hindsight… I’d probably sign up to get security patches from Windows, and not switch to Windows 11, at least as long as that’s easy to do.
The same can be said for a lot of software. I’ve become wary of installing updates for anything, especially when what I have is working perfectly for my needs. They like to toss out the; ‘increased security features’ which seems to have become more a scare tactic to keep you on the hamster wheel (& subscription money coming in, where applicable).
Or they’ll redesign the interface for no good reason other than they can. It’s like the grocery store rearranging the shelves to make you hunt all over the store. grrr!
I stopped updating the operating system on my phone for the same reason — mainly all the intrusive AI garbage that I have no need or want for.
The battle was lost when people willingly began installing spyware into their homes - Alexa, or whatever it’s called - and actually paying to have their movements monitored & personal information taken from them. Even before that.
So who’s really to blame when these tech companies see that people are gullible enough to leap onto any trend. And we’ve given them enough money that they can promote these trends 'till the end of time. Be afraid of anything that’s connected to the internet.
There could be a book here. I’ve no doubt there are already several. I think Cory Doctorow has touched on it, for one.
We’ll leave the Arms (weapons) Race . . .errr AI Race for another thread. Our planet is being controlled by psychopaths.
I’m kind of surprised Microsoft isn’t rolling Windows 11 adware and bloat features into the updates targeted for Windows 10, just to get more market penetration on that garbage (I mean, nobody is upgrading to Win11 because they want that stuff)