Microsoft: Difference between revisions

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====Removal of ''365'' features to push ''Copilot (2025)''====

Eliminated key search features in ''365''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Laplante |first=Martin |date=2025-10-09 |title=Microsoft Search’s Disappearing Act |url=https://www.pointfire.com/blogs/microsoft-searchs-disappearing-act |url-status=live |website=pointfire}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Endicott |first=Sean |date=2025-01-22 |title=I'm aghast, stunned, and flabbergasted that Microsoft just removed the thesaurus from Word |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/software-apps/im-aghast-stunned-and-flabbergasted-that-microsoft-just-removed-the-thesaurus-from-word |url-status=live |website=Windows Central}}</ref>, forcing users to pay $30/month for ''Copilot'' access, sparking backlash from businesses and educators.{{Citation needed}} The FTC and DOJ are reportedly investigating, with Elon Musk alleging antitrust violations in its ''OpenAI'' partnership.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Scarcella |first=Mike |title=Musk expands lawsuit against OpenAI, adding Microsoft and antitrust claims |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/musk-expands-lawsuit-against-openai-adding-microsoft-antitrust-claims-2024-11-15/ |url-status=live |website=Reuters}}</ref>

Eliminated key search features in ''365''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Laplante |first=Martin |date=2025-10-09 |title=Microsoft Search’s Disappearing Act |url=https://www.pointfire.com/blogs/microsoft-searchs-disappearing-act |url-status=live |website=pointfire}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Endicott |first=Sean |date=2025-01-22 |title=I'm aghast, stunned, and flabbergasted that Microsoft just removed the thesaurus from Word |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/software-apps/im-aghast-stunned-and-flabbergasted-that-microsoft-just-removed-the-thesaurus-from-word |url-status=live |website=Windows Central}}</ref>, forcing users to pay $30/month for ''Copilot'' access, sparking backlash from businesses and educators.{{Citation needed}} The FTC and DOJ are reportedly investigating, with Elon Musk alleging antitrust violations in its ''OpenAI'' partnership.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Scarcella |first=Mike |date=2024-11-15 |title=Musk expands lawsuit against OpenAI, adding Microsoft and antitrust claims |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/musk-expands-lawsuit-against-openai-adding-microsoft-antitrust-claims-2024-11-15/ |url-status=live |website=Reuters}}</ref>

====Increasing the difficulty to switch default browsers (2021 - Present)====

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The release of Windows 10 in 2015 marked a decade of taking away user choice through forced updates, resetting user preferences, and [[Forced app download|forced software installation.]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hruska |first=Joel |date=30 Jul 2015 |title=Windows 10's default privacy settings and controls leave much to be desired |url=https://www.extremetech.com/extreme/211208-windows-10s-default-privacy-settings-and-controls-leave-much-to-be-desired |website=ExtremeTech |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260222104027/https://www.extremetech.com/extreme/211208-windows-10s-default-privacy-settings-and-controls-leave-much-to-be-desired |archive-date=22 Feb 2026}}</ref> Updates would be automatically scheduled when the computer is inactive, <ref>[https://www.crn.com/news/applications-os/300077576/did-microsoft-just-backtrack-on-forced-updates-for-windows-10 "Did Microsoft Just Backtrack On Forced Updates For Windows 10?"] - crn.com - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251126094745/https://www.crn.com/news/applications-os/300077576/did-microsoft-just-backtrack-on-forced-updates-for-windows-10 Archived])</ref> leading to some systems being rendered unusable because of bugged updates that cannot be avoided.<ref>[https://www.tomsguide.com/news/windows-10-update-is-bricking-pcs-uninstall-this-right-now "Windows 10 update is 'breaking' PCs — what to do now"] - tomsguide.com - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260212180250/https://www.tomsguide.com/news/windows-10-update-is-bricking-pcs-uninstall-this-right-now Archived])</ref><ref>[https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/windows-update-bricked-my-bios-thought-to-be/a1f0ebc7-d20d-459f-9956-72a3f98ca432 "Windows update bricked my bios ?? Thought to be impossible ?"] - answers.microsoft.com - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20250708171954/https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/windows-update-bricked-my-bios-thought-to-be/a1f0ebc7-d20d-459f-9956-72a3f98ca432 Archived])</ref> Some updates would force changes on preferences set by the user for various applications and settings.<ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/Windows10/comments/n1hoz0/windows_please_stop_changing_my_settings_with/ "Windows: PLEASE STOP CHANGING MY SETTINGS WITH UPDATES"] - reddit.com - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20210429235550/https://old.reddit.com/r/Windows10/comments/n1hoz0/windows_please_stop_changing_my_settings_with/ Archived])</ref><ref>[https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/windows-10-updated-and-reset-all-of-my-settings/529ffb03-edd4-4be2-9412-50e3271fa8fe "Windows 10 updated and reset all of my settings and preferences."] - answers.microsoft.com - 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20250708171948/https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/windows-10-updated-and-reset-all-of-my-settings/529ffb03-edd4-4be2-9412-50e3271fa8fe Archived])</ref><ref>[https://www.minitool.com/news/windows-settings-are-reset-after-reboot.html "Windows Settings Are Reset After Reboot? Best Fixes Here!"] - minitool.com - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260219115001/https://www.minitool.com/news/windows-settings-are-reset-after-reboot.html Archived])</ref>

Additionally, Microsoft Windows installs software, such as Candy Crush, on computers that the user did not ask for~~.{{Citation needed}} This may also force users to agree to licensing terms, for instance when interacting with forcibly installed software to remove it~~.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moscaritolo |first=Angela |title=Windows 10 Will Come With Candy Crush Saga Pre-Installed |url=https://www.pcmag.com/news/windows-10-will-come-with-candy-crush-saga-pre-installed |url-status=live |website=PCMag}}</ref>

Additionally, Microsoft Windows installs software, such as Candy Crush, on computers that the user did not ask for.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moscaritolo |first=Angela |date=2015-05-15 |title=Windows 10 Will Come With Candy Crush Saga Pre-Installed |url=https://www.pcmag.com/news/windows-10-will-come-with-candy-crush-saga-pre-installed |url-status=live |website=PCMag}}</ref> This may also force users to agree to licensing terms, for instance when interacting with forcibly installed software to remove it.{{Citation needed}}

When ''Windows'' ''10'' is installed from the ISO that can be downloaded from Microsoft, the EULA explicitly mentions forced arbitration.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Microsoft Software License Terms |url=https://www.microsoft.com/content/dam/microsoft/usetm/documents/windows/10/oem-pre-installed/UseTerms_OEM_Windows_10_English.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250729194240/https://www.microsoft.com/content/dam/microsoft/usetm/documents/windows/10/oem-pre-installed/UseTerms_OEM_Windows_10_English.pdf |archive-date=2025-07-29 |access-date=2025-08-11 |page=6 |quote="If we can’t [informally resolve a dispute], you and we agree to binding individual arbitration before the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) under the Federal Arbitration Act (“FAA”), and not to sue in court in front of a judge or jury."}}</ref>

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:Xbox Series X/S games demand online verification for disc-based installations, rendering offline play difficult.<ref name=":4" />

*'''Xbox storage monopolization'''

:Xbox Series X/S uses a proprietary [https://www.seagate.com/content/dam/seagate/en/content-fragments/products/datasheets/xbox-expansion-card-series-4tb/xbox-expansion-card-series-4tb-DS2081-4-2504US-en_US.pdf Storage Expansion Card] that costs more when compared to industry standard storage.{{~~Citation needed~~}}

:Xbox Series X/S uses a proprietary [https://www.seagate.com/content/dam/seagate/en/content-fragments/products/datasheets/xbox-expansion-card-series-4tb/xbox-expansion-card-series-4tb-DS2081-4-2504US-en_US.pdf Storage Expansion Card] that costs more when compared to industry standard storage.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Haske |first=Steve |date=2025-09-10 |title=Your standard SSD might work as an Xbox storage expansion |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2021/09/your-standard-ssd-might-work-as-an-xbox-storage-expansion/ |url-status=live |website=Ars Technica}}</ref>

*'''Encrypted Storage'''

:Xbox Series X/S consoles have a removable solid-state drive (SSD), yet they contain an encrypted partition with a key that is married to the motherboard. This key changes after each system update, making it difficult to replace the drive<ref>{{Cite web |date=Jul 13, 2023 |title=New Xbox SSD interface is horribly anti repair|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bbmzp-rqwfU |access-date=2025-09-03 |website=YouTube |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=Bbmzp-rqwfU |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref>. Xbox One consoles allowed users to easily replace the hard disk drive (HDD) as needed since the hard drives did not contain such encryption<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 20, 2024 |title=Xbox One Hard Drive Replacement|url=https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Xbox+One+Hard+Drive+Replacement/36771 |access-date=2025-09-03 |website=iFixit |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251218160941/https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Xbox+One+Hard+Drive+Replacement/36771 |archive-date=18 Dec 2025}}</ref>. Though technically possible to replace HDDs on the Xbox 360, replacement drives have to be modified to report original drive information (like serial number) and in some cases cannot utilize all the storage available on a drive<ref>{{Cite web |title=Security Sector Information |url=https://fatxplorer.eaton-works.com/security-sector-information/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260321125530/https://fatxplorer.eaton-works.com/security-sector-information/ |archive-date=21 Mar 2026 |access-date=2026-03-01 |website=FATXplorer}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=Nov 28, 2024 |title=Xbox 360 HDD Replacement|url=https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Xbox+360+HDD+Replacement/3430 |access-date=2025-09-03 |website=iFixit |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260130220622/https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Xbox+360+HDD+Replacement/3430 |archive-date=30 Jan 2026}}</ref>. For the original Xbox, the hard drive was married to the motherboard, but if the console was modified with custom firmware, users could easily replace the drive{{~~Citation needed~~}}.

:Xbox Series X/S consoles have a removable solid-state drive (SSD), yet they contain an encrypted partition with a key that is married to the motherboard. This key changes after each system update, making it difficult to replace the drive<ref>{{Cite web |date=Jul 13, 2023 |title=New Xbox SSD interface is horribly anti repair|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bbmzp-rqwfU |access-date=2025-09-03 |website=YouTube |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=Bbmzp-rqwfU |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref>. Xbox One consoles allowed users to easily replace the hard disk drive (HDD) as needed since the hard drives did not contain such encryption<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 20, 2024 |title=Xbox One Hard Drive Replacement|url=https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Xbox+One+Hard+Drive+Replacement/36771 |access-date=2025-09-03 |website=iFixit |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251218160941/https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Xbox+One+Hard+Drive+Replacement/36771 |archive-date=18 Dec 2025}}</ref>. Though technically possible to replace HDDs on the Xbox 360, replacement drives have to be modified to report original drive information (like serial number) and in some cases cannot utilize all the storage available on a drive<ref>{{Cite web |title=Security Sector Information |url=https://fatxplorer.eaton-works.com/security-sector-information/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260321125530/https://fatxplorer.eaton-works.com/security-sector-information/ |archive-date=21 Mar 2026 |access-date=2026-03-01 |website=FATXplorer}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=Nov 28, 2024 |title=Xbox 360 HDD Replacement|url=https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Xbox+360+HDD+Replacement/3430 |access-date=2025-09-03 |website=iFixit |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260130220622/https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Xbox+360+HDD+Replacement/3430 |archive-date=30 Jan 2026}}</ref>. For the original Xbox, the hard drive was married to the motherboard, but if the console was modified with custom firmware, users could easily replace the drive<ref>{{Cite web |first=Ryan |title=How To Upgrade The HDD (Hard Drive) In A Softmodded Xbox! |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rv-gOJ1i2eI |url-status=live |website=YouTube - Archades Games}}</ref>.

*'''Ending Third-Party Wireless Controller Support'''

:Support for third-party wireless controllers was ended in October 2023. Users were given a two week warning before their devices could no longer be used wirelessly unless the manufacturer paid a licensing fee.

@@ Line 157: / Line 157: @@
 ====Removal of ''365'' features to push ''Copilot (2025)''====
-Eliminated key search features in ''365''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Laplante |first=Martin |date=2025-10-09 |title=Microsoft Search’s Disappearing Act |url=https://www.pointfire.com/blogs/microsoft-searchs-disappearing-act |url-status=live |website=pointfire}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Endicott |first=Sean |date=2025-01-22 |title=I'm aghast, stunned, and flabbergasted that Microsoft just removed the thesaurus from Word |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/software-apps/im-aghast-stunned-and-flabbergasted-that-microsoft-just-removed-the-thesaurus-from-word |url-status=live |website=Windows Central}}</ref>, forcing users to pay $30/month for ''Copilot'' access, sparking backlash from businesses and educators.{{Citation needed}} The FTC and DOJ are reportedly investigating, with Elon Musk alleging antitrust violations in its ''OpenAI'' partnership.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Scarcella |first=Mike |title=Musk expands lawsuit against OpenAI, adding Microsoft and antitrust claims |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/musk-expands-lawsuit-against-openai-adding-microsoft-antitrust-claims-2024-11-15/ |url-status=live |website=Reuters}}</ref>
+Eliminated key search features in ''365''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Laplante |first=Martin |date=2025-10-09 |title=Microsoft Search’s Disappearing Act |url=https://www.pointfire.com/blogs/microsoft-searchs-disappearing-act |url-status=live |website=pointfire}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Endicott |first=Sean |date=2025-01-22 |title=I'm aghast, stunned, and flabbergasted that Microsoft just removed the thesaurus from Word |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/software-apps/im-aghast-stunned-and-flabbergasted-that-microsoft-just-removed-the-thesaurus-from-word |url-status=live |website=Windows Central}}</ref>, forcing users to pay $30/month for ''Copilot'' access, sparking backlash from businesses and educators.{{Citation needed}} The FTC and DOJ are reportedly investigating, with Elon Musk alleging antitrust violations in its ''OpenAI'' partnership.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Scarcella |first=Mike |date=2024-11-15 |title=Musk expands lawsuit against OpenAI, adding Microsoft and antitrust claims |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/musk-expands-lawsuit-against-openai-adding-microsoft-antitrust-claims-2024-11-15/ |url-status=live |website=Reuters}}</ref>
 ====Increasing the difficulty to switch default browsers (2021 - Present)====
@@ Line 185: / Line 185: @@
 The release of Windows 10 in 2015 marked a decade of taking away user choice through forced updates, resetting user preferences, and [[Forced app download|forced software installation.]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hruska |first=Joel |date=30 Jul 2015 |title=Windows 10's default privacy settings and controls leave much to be desired |url=https://www.extremetech.com/extreme/211208-windows-10s-default-privacy-settings-and-controls-leave-much-to-be-desired |website=ExtremeTech |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260222104027/https://www.extremetech.com/extreme/211208-windows-10s-default-privacy-settings-and-controls-leave-much-to-be-desired |archive-date=22 Feb 2026}}</ref> Updates would be automatically scheduled when the computer is inactive, <ref>[https://www.crn.com/news/applications-os/300077576/did-microsoft-just-backtrack-on-forced-updates-for-windows-10 "Did Microsoft Just Backtrack On Forced Updates For Windows 10?"] - crn.com - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251126094745/https://www.crn.com/news/applications-os/300077576/did-microsoft-just-backtrack-on-forced-updates-for-windows-10 Archived])</ref> leading to some systems being rendered unusable because of bugged updates that cannot be avoided.<ref>[https://www.tomsguide.com/news/windows-10-update-is-bricking-pcs-uninstall-this-right-now "Windows 10 update is 'breaking' PCs — what to do now"] - tomsguide.com - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260212180250/https://www.tomsguide.com/news/windows-10-update-is-bricking-pcs-uninstall-this-right-now Archived])</ref><ref>[https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/windows-update-bricked-my-bios-thought-to-be/a1f0ebc7-d20d-459f-9956-72a3f98ca432 "Windows update bricked my bios ?? Thought to be impossible ?"] - answers.microsoft.com - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20250708171954/https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/windows-update-bricked-my-bios-thought-to-be/a1f0ebc7-d20d-459f-9956-72a3f98ca432 Archived])</ref> Some updates would force changes on preferences set by the user for various applications and settings.<ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/Windows10/comments/n1hoz0/windows_please_stop_changing_my_settings_with/ "Windows: PLEASE STOP CHANGING MY SETTINGS WITH UPDATES"] - reddit.com - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20210429235550/https://old.reddit.com/r/Windows10/comments/n1hoz0/windows_please_stop_changing_my_settings_with/ Archived])</ref><ref>[https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/windows-10-updated-and-reset-all-of-my-settings/529ffb03-edd4-4be2-9412-50e3271fa8fe "Windows 10 updated and reset all of my settings and preferences."] - answers.microsoft.com - 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20250708171948/https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/windows-10-updated-and-reset-all-of-my-settings/529ffb03-edd4-4be2-9412-50e3271fa8fe Archived])</ref><ref>[https://www.minitool.com/news/windows-settings-are-reset-after-reboot.html "Windows Settings Are Reset After Reboot? Best Fixes Here!"] - minitool.com - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260219115001/https://www.minitool.com/news/windows-settings-are-reset-after-reboot.html Archived])</ref>
-Additionally, Microsoft Windows installs software, such as Candy Crush, on computers that the user did not ask for.{{Citation needed}}  This may also force users to agree to licensing terms, for instance when interacting with forcibly installed software to remove it.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moscaritolo |first=Angela |title=Windows 10 Will Come With Candy Crush Saga Pre-Installed |url=https://www.pcmag.com/news/windows-10-will-come-with-candy-crush-saga-pre-installed |url-status=live |website=PCMag}}</ref>
+Additionally, Microsoft Windows installs software, such as Candy Crush, on computers that the user did not ask for.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moscaritolo |first=Angela |date=2015-05-15 |title=Windows 10 Will Come With Candy Crush Saga Pre-Installed |url=https://www.pcmag.com/news/windows-10-will-come-with-candy-crush-saga-pre-installed |url-status=live |website=PCMag}}</ref> This may also force users to agree to licensing terms, for instance when interacting with forcibly installed software to remove it.{{Citation needed}}
 When ''Windows'' ''10'' is installed from the ISO that can be downloaded from Microsoft, the EULA explicitly mentions forced arbitration.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Microsoft Software License Terms |url=https://www.microsoft.com/content/dam/microsoft/usetm/documents/windows/10/oem-pre-installed/UseTerms_OEM_Windows_10_English.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250729194240/https://www.microsoft.com/content/dam/microsoft/usetm/documents/windows/10/oem-pre-installed/UseTerms_OEM_Windows_10_English.pdf |archive-date=2025-07-29 |access-date=2025-08-11 |page=6 |quote="If we can’t [informally resolve a dispute], you and we agree to binding individual arbitration before the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) under the Federal Arbitration Act (“FAA”), and not to sue in court in front of a judge or jury."}}</ref>
@@ Line 240: / Line 240: @@
 :Xbox Series X/S games demand online verification for disc-based installations, rendering offline play difficult.<ref name=":4" /><!-- Elaborate -->
 *'''Xbox storage monopolization'''
-:Xbox Series X/S uses a proprietary [https://www.seagate.com/content/dam/seagate/en/content-fragments/products/datasheets/xbox-expansion-card-series-4tb/xbox-expansion-card-series-4tb-DS2081-4-2504US-en_US.pdf Storage Expansion Card] that costs more when compared to industry standard storage.{{Citation needed}}<!-- this section seems to reference a lot of support forums/reddit. not exactly the most professional but it's better than nothing considering this is user reporting -->
+:Xbox Series X/S uses a proprietary [https://www.seagate.com/content/dam/seagate/en/content-fragments/products/datasheets/xbox-expansion-card-series-4tb/xbox-expansion-card-series-4tb-DS2081-4-2504US-en_US.pdf Storage Expansion Card] that costs more when compared to industry standard storage.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Haske |first=Steve |date=2025-09-10 |title=Your standard SSD might work as an Xbox storage expansion |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2021/09/your-standard-ssd-might-work-as-an-xbox-storage-expansion/ |url-status=live |website=Ars Technica}}</ref><!-- this section seems to reference a lot of support forums/reddit. not exactly the most professional but it's better than nothing considering this is user reporting -->
 *'''Encrypted Storage'''
-:Xbox Series X/S consoles have a removable solid-state drive (SSD), yet they contain an encrypted partition with a key that is married to the motherboard. This key changes after each system update, making it difficult to replace the drive<ref>{{Cite web |date=Jul 13, 2023 |title=New Xbox SSD interface is horribly anti repair|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bbmzp-rqwfU |access-date=2025-09-03 |website=YouTube |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=Bbmzp-rqwfU |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref>. Xbox One consoles allowed users to easily replace the hard disk drive (HDD) as needed since the hard drives did not contain such encryption<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 20, 2024 |title=Xbox One Hard Drive Replacement|url=https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Xbox+One+Hard+Drive+Replacement/36771 |access-date=2025-09-03 |website=iFixit |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251218160941/https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Xbox+One+Hard+Drive+Replacement/36771 |archive-date=18 Dec 2025}}</ref>. Though technically possible to replace HDDs on the Xbox 360, replacement drives have to be modified to report original drive information (like serial number) and in some cases cannot utilize all the storage available on a drive<ref>{{Cite web |title=Security Sector Information |url=https://fatxplorer.eaton-works.com/security-sector-information/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260321125530/https://fatxplorer.eaton-works.com/security-sector-information/ |archive-date=21 Mar 2026 |access-date=2026-03-01 |website=FATXplorer}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=Nov 28, 2024 |title=Xbox 360 HDD Replacement|url=https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Xbox+360+HDD+Replacement/3430 |access-date=2025-09-03 |website=iFixit |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260130220622/https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Xbox+360+HDD+Replacement/3430 |archive-date=30 Jan 2026}}</ref>. For the original Xbox, the hard drive was married to the motherboard, but if the console was modified with custom firmware, users could easily replace the drive{{Citation needed}}.
+:Xbox Series X/S consoles have a removable solid-state drive (SSD), yet they contain an encrypted partition with a key that is married to the motherboard. This key changes after each system update, making it difficult to replace the drive<ref>{{Cite web |date=Jul 13, 2023 |title=New Xbox SSD interface is horribly anti repair|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bbmzp-rqwfU |access-date=2025-09-03 |website=YouTube |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=Bbmzp-rqwfU |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref>. Xbox One consoles allowed users to easily replace the hard disk drive (HDD) as needed since the hard drives did not contain such encryption<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 20, 2024 |title=Xbox One Hard Drive Replacement|url=https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Xbox+One+Hard+Drive+Replacement/36771 |access-date=2025-09-03 |website=iFixit |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251218160941/https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Xbox+One+Hard+Drive+Replacement/36771 |archive-date=18 Dec 2025}}</ref>. Though technically possible to replace HDDs on the Xbox 360, replacement drives have to be modified to report original drive information (like serial number) and in some cases cannot utilize all the storage available on a drive<ref>{{Cite web |title=Security Sector Information |url=https://fatxplorer.eaton-works.com/security-sector-information/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260321125530/https://fatxplorer.eaton-works.com/security-sector-information/ |archive-date=21 Mar 2026 |access-date=2026-03-01 |website=FATXplorer}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=Nov 28, 2024 |title=Xbox 360 HDD Replacement|url=https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Xbox+360+HDD+Replacement/3430 |access-date=2025-09-03 |website=iFixit |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260130220622/https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Xbox+360+HDD+Replacement/3430 |archive-date=30 Jan 2026}}</ref>. For the original Xbox, the hard drive was married to the motherboard, but if the console was modified with custom firmware, users could easily replace the drive<ref>{{Cite web |first=Ryan |title=How To Upgrade The HDD (Hard Drive) In A Softmodded Xbox! |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rv-gOJ1i2eI |url-status=live |website=YouTube - Archades Games}}</ref>.
 *'''Ending Third-Party Wireless Controller Support'''
 :Support for third-party wireless controllers was ended in October 2023. Users were given a two week warning before their devices could no longer be used wirelessly unless the manufacturer paid a licensing fee.