Microsoft’s focus is on rebuilding trust in Windows in 2026
Microsoft is making some major changes to Windows, but is it now too late to rebuild trust?
If you ask any PC user about their opinions on Microsoft and Windows, their responses are rarely positive. Bugs, performance issues, ads, and bloatware are common complaints, and alternative OS’ are rising up to compete with Windows 11. 2026 is the year Microsoft plans to rebuild trust among Windows users, according to Pavan Davuluri, President of Windows and Devices.
Apple’s PC market share is growing. SteamOS and alternative OS’ like Bazzite are growing in popularity amongst gamers. Additionally, Google has its upcoming “Aluminium OS,” which targets laptop and desktop PCs. Windows has growing competition, and Microsoft can only blame itself. If Windows were performant, reliable, and had a good user experience, there wouldn’t be any demand for any alternatives.
Last September, Pavan Davuluri unified Windows’ server and client teams soon after his appointment as President of Windows and devices. In 2018, these teams were split, three years after Windows 10’s release and three years before Windows 11’s. The core of the Windows platform fell under Azure, and the client parts of Windows became part of Microsoft’s “Experiences and Devices” team. Some have attributed this split to the issues Windows now faces. Now, Microsoft has reversed this decision.
2026 is a year for rebuilding trust in Windows
Under Pavan, Microsoft’s united Windows team now aims to improve Windows in ways that are “meaningful to people”. Using a process called “swarming”, Microsoft has reallocated engineers to fixing Windows 11’s core issues. This includes performance and reliability concerns. Pavan Davuluri seeks to address Windows 11’s pain points. That said, recent Windows updates have introduced as many new bugs as they have fixes. Clearly, Microsoft faces a difficult battle ahead.
The feedback we’re receiving from our community of passionate customers and Windows Insiders has been clear. We need to improve Windows in ways that are meaningful for people,
This year you will see us focus on addressing pain points we hear consistently from customers: improving system performance, reliability, and the overall experience of Windows.
Trust is earned over time and we are committed to building it back with the Windows community,
Recent successes for Microsoft include a fix for Windows 10/11’s infamous “update and shutdown” bug. Furthermore, the company has committed to making changes to Windows that will improve its gaming credentials. For example, the “Xbox Fullscreen Experience” reduces the OS’ memory footprint, pauses background tasks, and can boost gaming performance.
What Microsoft needs to do to rebuild trust in Windows 11
Microsoft needs to rebuild trust in Windows, and the only way to do that is to respect its users. Windows today is bloated and unresponsive. Users frequently complain about ads, intrusive pop-ups, and constant OneDrive upselling. Windows 11 needs to respect its users and the settings they choose. Microsoft needs to stop forcing users to use its OS its way. If I uninstall OneDrive or Copilot, I don’t want it reinstalled with an OS update.
Microsoft needs to focus on the essentials of a good OS. Windows needs to be snappy, not slow. File Explorer’s performance issues need to be addressed. The search bar needs to become useful again. Calling “This PC” “My Computer” again would be a nice touch. The daily annoyances of Windows 11 users need to be addressed. Beyond that, if Microsoft cares about gamers, it needs to seriously ask itself why many Windows PC games now run faster on Linux.
If Microsoft fails to improve Windows, its market share will fall. There’s a reason why Macs have become more popular, and Apple’s M-series silicon isn’t it. There’s also a reason SteamOS and Bazzite are gaining popularity, and Google’s developing a new OS to succeed ChromeOS. Hating Windows has become the default opinion of Windows users, and that needs to change. If Microsoft fails to act, the days of Windows’ dominance are over.
You can join the discussion on Microsoft’s plan to rebuild trust in Windows on the OC3D Forums.
