Microsoft Windows 11: Difference between revisions

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|Unstable & forced updates

|2021 - 2026

|~~Forced~~ updates that are released roughly every month tend to contain massive issues and sometimes don't actually include said update in the update. Multiple of these ~~forced~~ updates have caused businesses to temporarily go offline and have caused data losses for users of Windows 11.

|The updates that are released roughly every month tend to contain massive issues and sometimes don't actually include said update in the update. Multiple of these updates have caused businesses to temporarily go offline and have caused data losses for users of Windows 11. Whilst Windows 11 updates tend to give users the option to delay updates, Microsoft forces users to eventually install all updates.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Spargo |first=Marty |date=13 Apr 2026 |title=A forced Windows 11 25H2 update is coming, and the lack of opt out is raising concerns |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/technology/software/a-forced-windows-11-25h2-update-is-coming-and-the-lack-of-opt-out-is-raising-concerns/ar-AA20My7S |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260522181833/https://www.msn.com/en-us/technology/software/a-forced-windows-11-25h2-update-is-coming-and-the-lack-of-opt-out-is-raising-concerns/ar-AA20My7S |archive-date=22 May 2026 |access-date=22 May 2026 |website=MSN}}</ref>

|More users skip out on updates leaving devices vulnerable to hackers and some updates have caused irreversible data and profit losses.

|[[Microsoft Windows 11 instability and forced updates]]

|-

Line 59:

|2025-2026

|[[Microsoft Copilot]] is a generative Artificial Intelligence model developed by Microsoft.

In recent releases of Windows 11, Microsoft has decided to integrate its AI assistant, '''Copilot''', directly into the operating system through a dedicated Copilot key, a Copilot shortcut combination and through direct integrations into system apps and Microsoft's Office suit.

In recent releases of Windows 11, Microsoft has decided to integrate its AI assistant, '''Copilot''', directly into the operating system through a dedicated Copilot key, a Copilot shortcut combination and through direct integrations into system apps and Microsoft's Office suit.<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 May 2026 |title=Unlock Productivity with the Copilot Key {{!}} Microsoft Windows |url=https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/learning-center/unlock-productivity-with-the-copilot-key |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260309164316/https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/learning-center/unlock-productivity-with-the-copilot-key |archive-date=9 Mar 2026 |access-date=22 May 2026 |website=Microsoft Support}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=16 Sep 2023 |title=Welcome to Copilot in Word - Microsoft Support |url=https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/welcome-to-copilot-in-word-2135e85f-a467-463b-b2f0-c51a46d625d1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260516011535/https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/welcome-to-copilot-in-word-2135e85f-a467-463b-b2f0-c51a46d625d1 |archive-date=16 May 2026 |access-date=22 May 2026 |website=Microsoft Support}}</ref>

This late integration of Copilot adds in another hard to remove app that many users consider 'bloatware'. It also changes system apps like Notepad to have Copilot included in them, which makes removing this new Microsoft product from Windows 11 even harder. The way Copilot is handled in Windows 11 bears a resemblance to how Microsoft handled Internet Explorer in the '90s, mostly in the way that Microsoft is using their market dominance on operating systems to push their own additional digital products forward into the faces of consumers.

| Windows 11 devices have more integrated 'bloatware' and schools struggle more with preventing students from using AI chat bots, as they are now integrated in apps used for schoolwork, like Microsoft Word and PowerPoint.

|Windows 11 devices have more integrated 'bloatware' and schools struggle more with preventing students from using AI chat bots, as they are now integrated in apps used for schoolwork, like Microsoft Word and PowerPoint.

Microsoft in April of 2026 started dialing down their push of AI in their own apps due to backlash, even stating that they went 'too far' with integrating Copilot into Windows 11.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sood |first=Shimul |date=10 Apr 2026 |title=Microsoft begins pulling Copilot out of Windows 11 apps in a major cleanup push - Digital Trends |url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/microsoft-begins-pulling-copilot-out-of-windows-11-apps-in-a-major-cleanup-push/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260415220252/https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/microsoft-begins-pulling-copilot-out-of-windows-11-apps-in-a-major-cleanup-push/ |archive-date=15 Apr 2026 |access-date=22 May 2026 |website=digitaltrends}}</ref>

|-

|Windows Recall

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|[[Microsoft Copilot's recall feature]]

|-

| Windows 11 requires a Microsoft Account to use

|Windows 11 requires a Microsoft Account to use

| 2021 - 2026

|2021 - 2026

| Versions of Windows 11 Pro for personal use and Windows 11 Home require internet connectivity and a Microsoft account (see [[Forced account]]) during setup.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Microsoft Corporation |date=2025-08-17 |title=Windows 11 Specs and System Requirements |url=https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11-specifications?r=1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250817084049/https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11-specifications?r=1#expand |archive-date=2025-08-17 |access-date=2025-08-07 |website=Microsoft Corporation}}</ref> This prevents users from setting up the software without the internet, and prevents users from setting up a completely offline installation of Windows, even though the operating system can function without an internet connection. When Microsoft stops offering compatible accounts, Windows 11 will no longer be installable. Workarounds existed to set up Windows without a Microsoft account.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Anonymous |date=2022-05-15 |title=Set up Windows 11 without internet |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/2350856/set-up-windows-11-without-internet-oobebypassnro |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250725113800/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/2350856/set-up-windows-11-without-internet-oobebypassnro?forum=insider-all&referrer=answers |archive-date=2025-07-25 |access-date=2025-07-25 |website=Microsoft Learn}}</ref> In October 2025, Microsoft announced they would be removing mechanisms to bypass the Microsoft account setup during the "out of box experience" (OOBE) process. Microsoft claims that these bypass methods were skipping "critical setup screens" despite most users having no issues with these workarounds. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Langowski |first=Amanda |date=2025-10-06 |title=Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.6772 (Dev Channel) |url=https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2025/10/06/announcing-windows-11-insider-preview-build-26220-6772-dev-channel/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251009102813/https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2025/10/06/announcing-windows-11-insider-preview-build-26220-6772-dev-channel/ |archive-date=2025-10-09 |access-date=2025-10-23 |website=Windows Blogs}}</ref>

|Versions of Windows 11 Pro for personal use and Windows 11 Home require internet connectivity and a Microsoft account (see [[Forced account]]) during setup.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Microsoft Corporation |date=2025-08-17 |title=Windows 11 Specs and System Requirements |url=https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11-specifications?r=1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250817084049/https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11-specifications?r=1#expand |archive-date=2025-08-17 |access-date=2025-08-07 |website=Microsoft Corporation}}</ref> This prevents users from setting up the software without the internet, and prevents users from setting up a completely offline installation of Windows, even though the operating system can function without an internet connection. When Microsoft stops offering compatible accounts, Windows 11 will no longer be installable. Workarounds existed to set up Windows without a Microsoft account.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Anonymous |date=2022-05-15 |title=Set up Windows 11 without internet |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/2350856/set-up-windows-11-without-internet-oobebypassnro |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250725113800/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/2350856/set-up-windows-11-without-internet-oobebypassnro?forum=insider-all&referrer=answers |archive-date=2025-07-25 |access-date=2025-07-25 |website=Microsoft Learn}}</ref> In October 2025, Microsoft announced they would be removing mechanisms to bypass the Microsoft account setup during the "out of box experience" (OOBE) process. Microsoft claims that these bypass methods were skipping "critical setup screens" despite most users having no issues with these workarounds. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Langowski |first=Amanda |date=2025-10-06 |title=Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.6772 (Dev Channel) |url=https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2025/10/06/announcing-windows-11-insider-preview-build-26220-6772-dev-channel/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251009102813/https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2025/10/06/announcing-windows-11-insider-preview-build-26220-6772-dev-channel/ |archive-date=2025-10-09 |access-date=2025-10-23 |website=Windows Blogs}}</ref>

|PC's cannot officially be setup if the user doesn't have an internet connection. This can cause issues on newer build PC's as they may not have the necessary drivers installed for the user to get an internet connection, which over-complicates the setting-up process for many users.

|-

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|Misleading presentation of Microsoft OneDrive

|2021-2026

|Windows explorer has a button which is misleadingly labeled to "back up" files. Instead of backing them up, it sends the files to OneDrive, Microsofts own cloud service. If the file is deleted, OneDrive deletes the online copy too, which contradicts the whole point of backing up files. If OneDrive runs out of space, it is likely to lose the backed up files. If you try to disable or remove OneDrive, Windows will push you to re-enable it. It takes several steps to stop Windows from advertising OneDrive to the user.

|Users have lost data due to OneDrives odd back-up system that was poorly disclosed.

|[[OneDrive]]

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|This backdoor let to all devices using BitLocker to no longer be protected when this exploit was made public. Due to this exploit all devices that were stolen before a patch for this backdoor was made are not protected from BitLocker. The full extend of the damages caused by this backdoor are unknown and a patch removing this backdoor has not yet released.

|}

==See also==

@@ Line 43: / Line 43: @@
 |Unstable & forced updates
 |2021 - 2026
-|Forced updates that are released roughly every month tend to contain massive issues and sometimes don't actually include said update in the update. Multiple of these forced updates have caused businesses to temporarily go offline and have caused data losses for users of Windows 11.
+|The updates that are released roughly every month tend to contain massive issues and sometimes don't actually include said update in the update. Multiple of these updates have caused businesses to temporarily go offline and have caused data losses for users of Windows 11. Whilst Windows 11 updates tend to give users the option to delay updates, Microsoft forces users to eventually install all updates.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Spargo |first=Marty |date=13 Apr 2026 |title=A forced Windows 11 25H2 update is coming, and the lack of opt out is raising concerns |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/technology/software/a-forced-windows-11-25h2-update-is-coming-and-the-lack-of-opt-out-is-raising-concerns/ar-AA20My7S |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260522181833/https://www.msn.com/en-us/technology/software/a-forced-windows-11-25h2-update-is-coming-and-the-lack-of-opt-out-is-raising-concerns/ar-AA20My7S |archive-date=22 May 2026 |access-date=22 May 2026 |website=MSN}}</ref>
 |More users skip out on updates leaving devices vulnerable to hackers and some updates have caused irreversible data and profit losses.
 |[[Microsoft Windows 11 instability and forced updates]]
 |-
@@ Line 59: / Line 59: @@
 |2025-2026
 |[[Microsoft Copilot]] is a generative Artificial Intelligence model developed by Microsoft.
-In recent releases of Windows 11, Microsoft has decided to integrate its AI assistant, '''Copilot''', directly into the operating system through a dedicated Copilot key, a Copilot shortcut combination and through direct integrations into system apps and Microsoft's Office suit.
+In recent releases of Windows 11, Microsoft has decided to integrate its AI assistant, '''Copilot''', directly into the operating system through a dedicated Copilot key, a Copilot shortcut combination and through direct integrations into system apps and Microsoft's Office suit.<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 May 2026 |title=Unlock Productivity with the Copilot Key {{!}} Microsoft Windows |url=https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/learning-center/unlock-productivity-with-the-copilot-key |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260309164316/https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/learning-center/unlock-productivity-with-the-copilot-key |archive-date=9 Mar 2026 |access-date=22 May 2026 |website=Microsoft Support}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=16 Sep 2023 |title=Welcome to Copilot in Word - Microsoft Support |url=https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/welcome-to-copilot-in-word-2135e85f-a467-463b-b2f0-c51a46d625d1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260516011535/https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/welcome-to-copilot-in-word-2135e85f-a467-463b-b2f0-c51a46d625d1 |archive-date=16 May 2026 |access-date=22 May 2026 |website=Microsoft Support}}</ref>
 This late integration of Copilot adds in another hard to remove app that many users consider 'bloatware'. It also changes system apps like Notepad to have Copilot included in them, which makes removing this new Microsoft product from Windows 11 even harder. The way Copilot is handled in Windows 11 bears a resemblance to how Microsoft handled Internet Explorer in the '90s, mostly in the way that Microsoft is using their market dominance on operating systems to push their own additional digital products forward into the faces of consumers.
-| Windows 11 devices have more integrated 'bloatware' and schools struggle more with preventing students from using AI chat bots, as they are now integrated in apps used for schoolwork, like Microsoft Word and PowerPoint.
+|Windows 11 devices have more integrated 'bloatware' and schools struggle more with preventing students from using AI chat bots, as they are now integrated in apps used for schoolwork, like Microsoft Word and PowerPoint.
+Microsoft in April of 2026 started dialing down their push of AI in their own apps due to backlash, even stating that they went 'too far' with integrating Copilot into Windows 11.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sood |first=Shimul |date=10 Apr 2026 |title=Microsoft begins pulling Copilot out of Windows 11 apps in a major cleanup push - Digital Trends |url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/microsoft-begins-pulling-copilot-out-of-windows-11-apps-in-a-major-cleanup-push/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260415220252/https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/microsoft-begins-pulling-copilot-out-of-windows-11-apps-in-a-major-cleanup-push/ |archive-date=15 Apr 2026 |access-date=22 May 2026 |website=digitaltrends}}</ref>
 |-
 |Windows Recall
@@ Line 74: / Line 75: @@
 |[[Microsoft Copilot's recall feature]]
 |-
-| Windows 11 requires a Microsoft Account to use
+|Windows 11 requires a Microsoft Account to use
-| 2021 - 2026
+|2021 - 2026
-| Versions of Windows 11 Pro for personal use and Windows 11 Home require internet connectivity and a Microsoft account (see [[Forced account]]) during setup.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Microsoft Corporation |date=2025-08-17 |title=Windows 11 Specs and System Requirements |url=https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11-specifications?r=1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250817084049/https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11-specifications?r=1#expand |archive-date=2025-08-17 |access-date=2025-08-07 |website=Microsoft Corporation}}</ref> This prevents users from setting up the software without the internet, and prevents users from setting up a completely offline installation of Windows, even though the operating system can function without an internet connection. When Microsoft stops offering compatible accounts, Windows 11 will no longer be installable.  Workarounds existed to set up Windows without a Microsoft account.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Anonymous |date=2022-05-15 |title=Set up Windows 11 without internet |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/2350856/set-up-windows-11-without-internet-oobebypassnro |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250725113800/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/2350856/set-up-windows-11-without-internet-oobebypassnro?forum=insider-all&referrer=answers |archive-date=2025-07-25 |access-date=2025-07-25 |website=Microsoft Learn}}</ref> In October 2025, Microsoft announced they would be removing mechanisms to bypass the Microsoft account setup during the "out of box experience" (OOBE) process. Microsoft claims that these bypass methods were skipping "critical setup screens" despite most users having no issues with these workarounds. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Langowski |first=Amanda |date=2025-10-06 |title=Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.6772 (Dev Channel) |url=https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2025/10/06/announcing-windows-11-insider-preview-build-26220-6772-dev-channel/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251009102813/https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2025/10/06/announcing-windows-11-insider-preview-build-26220-6772-dev-channel/ |archive-date=2025-10-09 |access-date=2025-10-23 |website=Windows Blogs}}</ref>
+|Versions of Windows 11 Pro for personal use and Windows 11 Home require internet connectivity and a Microsoft account (see [[Forced account]]) during setup.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Microsoft Corporation |date=2025-08-17 |title=Windows 11 Specs and System Requirements |url=https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11-specifications?r=1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250817084049/https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11-specifications?r=1#expand |archive-date=2025-08-17 |access-date=2025-08-07 |website=Microsoft Corporation}}</ref> This prevents users from setting up the software without the internet, and prevents users from setting up a completely offline installation of Windows, even though the operating system can function without an internet connection. When Microsoft stops offering compatible accounts, Windows 11 will no longer be installable.  Workarounds existed to set up Windows without a Microsoft account.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Anonymous |date=2022-05-15 |title=Set up Windows 11 without internet |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/2350856/set-up-windows-11-without-internet-oobebypassnro |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250725113800/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/2350856/set-up-windows-11-without-internet-oobebypassnro?forum=insider-all&referrer=answers |archive-date=2025-07-25 |access-date=2025-07-25 |website=Microsoft Learn}}</ref> In October 2025, Microsoft announced they would be removing mechanisms to bypass the Microsoft account setup during the "out of box experience" (OOBE) process. Microsoft claims that these bypass methods were skipping "critical setup screens" despite most users having no issues with these workarounds. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Langowski |first=Amanda |date=2025-10-06 |title=Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.6772 (Dev Channel) |url=https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2025/10/06/announcing-windows-11-insider-preview-build-26220-6772-dev-channel/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251009102813/https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2025/10/06/announcing-windows-11-insider-preview-build-26220-6772-dev-channel/ |archive-date=2025-10-09 |access-date=2025-10-23 |website=Windows Blogs}}</ref>
 |PC's cannot officially be setup if the user doesn't have an internet connection. This can cause issues on newer build PC's as they may not have the necessary drivers installed for the user to get an internet connection, which over-complicates the setting-up process for many users.
 |-
@@ Line 86: / Line 87: @@
 |Misleading presentation of Microsoft OneDrive
 |2021-2026
 |Windows explorer has a button which is misleadingly labeled to "back up" files.  Instead of backing them up, it sends the files to OneDrive, Microsofts own cloud service. If the file is deleted, OneDrive deletes the online copy too, which contradicts the whole point of backing up files. If OneDrive runs out of space, it is likely to lose the backed up files. If you try to disable or remove OneDrive, Windows will push you to re-enable it. It takes several steps to stop Windows from advertising OneDrive to the user.
 |Users have lost data due to OneDrives odd back-up system that was poorly disclosed.
 |[[OneDrive]]
@@ Line 130: / Line 131: @@
 |This backdoor let to all devices using BitLocker to no longer be protected when this exploit was made public. Due to this exploit all devices that were stolen before a patch for this backdoor was made are not protected from BitLocker. The full extend of the damages caused by this backdoor are unknown and a patch removing this backdoor has not yet released.
 |}
 ==See also==