📢 20 Things That I Hate About Windows
Introduction
Windows is the most widely used operating system in the world, offering broad hardware support and a user-friendly experience. However, despite its popularity, it has many frustrating aspects that can drive users crazy. From forced updates to bloatware, here are 20 things that I personally hate about Windows.
1. Forced Updates at the Worst Time
Windows updates are notorious for installing at inconvenient times, sometimes interrupting work or causing long reboots without user consent.
2. Excessive Bloatware
Pre-installed apps like Candy Crush, Xbox Game Bar, and other unnecessary programs take up space and slow down performance.
3. Poor Privacy and Telemetry Concerns
Windows constantly collects user data, with telemetry services running in the background, making privacy-conscious users uneasy.
4. Inconsistent UI Design
Even with Windows 11, UI elements from Windows 7 and earlier versions still exist, creating a fragmented and inconsistent experience.
5. Slow File Explorer Performance
Copying, moving, and searching for files in Windows Explorer can sometimes feel painfully slow, even on modern hardware.
6. High System Resource Usage
Windows consumes a significant amount of RAM and CPU resources just to function, making it less efficient compared to lightweight OS alternatives.
7. Registry Bloat and System Decay
Over time, Windows systems accumulate registry clutter, leading to slowdowns and performance degradation unless regularly maintained.
8. Frequent Blue Screen of Death (BSOD)
While Windows stability has improved, users still encounter BSOD errors due to driver conflicts, hardware issues, or software bugs.
9. Poor Package Management
Unlike Linux and macOS, Windows lacks a universal, efficient package manager, making software installation and updates less streamlined.
10. Weak Command Line Experience
Although Windows Terminal has improved, PowerShell and CMD are still less powerful and intuitive than Linux’s Bash or macOS’s Zsh.
11. Driver Issues and Compatibility Problems
Windows requires users to manually install or update drivers, sometimes leading to conflicts or malfunctions after updates.
12. Security Vulnerabilities
Being the most widely used OS, Windows is a primary target for malware, ransomware, and security threats, requiring constant vigilance.
13. Annoying Windows Defender Popups
Windows Defender frequently alerts users with security warnings, sometimes flagging safe applications as threats.
14. Licensing and Activation Hassles
Windows activation can be a headache, requiring product keys, Microsoft accounts, and internet access to verify authenticity.
15. Poor Virtual Desktop Support
Windows' virtual desktop feature lacks many of the advanced functionalities found in Linux or macOS.
16. Ads in the Operating System
Microsoft pushes ads in the Start Menu, lock screen, and even File Explorer, which is frustrating for users who just want a clean OS experience.
17. Windows Search is Slow and Unreliable
The built-in Windows search often fails to find files correctly, takes too long to index, and performs worse compared to third-party search tools.
18. Cortana is Useless
Despite being Microsoft's AI assistant, Cortana is largely unwanted, and Microsoft has been slowly phasing it out due to its lack of effectiveness.
19. Difficult to Fully Remove Microsoft Edge
Microsoft Edge is deeply integrated into Windows, and while it can be hidden, completely uninstalling it is challenging.
20. Lack of Customization
Unlike Linux, Windows offers limited customization for themes, UI tweaks, and workflow improvements without third-party tools.
Conclusion
While Windows is widely used and supports a vast range of hardware and software, it comes with numerous frustrations. Many of these issues stem from Microsoft's aggressive push for monetization, forced changes, and lack of user control. Despite these annoyances, Windows remains a dominant OS due to its software compatibility and user familiarity. However, for users who want more control, alternatives like Linux and macOS may be worth exploring.