Microsoft Windows 11

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Microsoft Windows 11

Basic Information
Release Year	2021-10-05
Product Type	Operating System, Software
In Production	Yes
Official Website	https://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-11

Microsoft Windows 11 is an operating system for personal computers developed and owned by Microsoft. The first version of Windows was released in 1985 as a GUI for MS-DOS. Later, in 1993, Windows was released as a standalone operating system running on the Windows NT kernel. As of 2025, Windows 11 is the current version of Windows sold by Microsoft. It is used in personal, business, server, and embedded systems applications. Windows by far has the highest market share of any operating system on consumer desktop computers.

Consumer impact summary

Windows 11 is installed on more than 30% of all computers world wide. Windows 11 collects user data including but not limited to hardware specs, apps and drivers installed on the device, app activity, device settings and configuration, web browser history, etc.

Microsoft has a rich and plentiful history of data breaches. Many services that Microsoft offers have been forcibly accessed into by malicious and white hat hackers.

Incidents

This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the Microsoft Windows 11 category.

Windows Recall

Main article: Microsoft Copilot's recall feature

In 2024, Microsoft unveiled Recall for Copilot+ PCs, marketed as a way for users to search through what they have done on their computer by recording their screen. This sparked controversy, especially among security experts who worried about the security of screenshots, since it could easily document private information like social-security numbers, bank-account information, and passwords, as well as user browsing behavior. A Python script was developed, called "TotalRecall", that collects the screenshots and descriptions of these recordings, proving the danger of Recall. This feature was delayed after backlash from users.

In 2025, Microsoft re-released Recall, with claims that the tool has resolved the security flaws and it coming disabled by default. However, despite integrating better security, having this feature enabled continues to pose privacy risks for consumers, as it is only a matter of when a vulnerability is discovered for the problems both consumers and businesses initially had with the tool to resurface, especially since it is difficult for users to inspect the screenshots that are taken by the tool.

Windows 11 requires a Microsoft Account to use

Versions of Windows 11 Pro for personal use and Windows 11 Home require internet connectivity and a Microsoft account during setup. 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. 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.

Poorly disclosed data encryption

Computers running Windows 11 with Microsoft Account are set to automatically enable bitlocker which encrypts all data on internal disks, leaving key for decryption in owners Microsoft My Account device list without explicitly informing the owner of doing so. Updating BIOS or hardware manipulation may lead to triggering bitlocker and leaving computer in recovery mode if bitlocker is not suspended beforehand. This process can leave owner with seemingly bricked device, especially if owners Microsoft Account was created and used only to satisfy Windows 11s requirement for Microsoft Accounts during OOBE. If key hidden in Microsoft Account is not provided, erasing encrypted disks and reinstalling operating system is recommended.

Misleading presentation of Microsoft OneDrive

Main article: OneDrive

Windows explorer has a button which is misleadingly labeled to "back up" files. Instead of backing them up, it sends the files to OneDrive. If the file is deleted, OneDrive deletes the online copy (a backup would preserve a file if it was deleted). If OneDrive runs out of space, it is likely to lose files. If you try to disable or remove OneDrive, Windows will push you to re-enable it. It takes several steps to tell it not to advertise OneDrive.

Data Collection

Main article: Microsoft

Microsoft is known to sell users data to brokers and government agencies.

Microsoft Bing Wallpaper

Bing Wallpaper is a free-to-download app on the Microsoft Store that displays a daily rotation of wallpapers for Windows 11 computers. By default, an option is toggled in its settings to automatically open Bing and search for the wallpaper's contents whenever one clicks somewhere on their desktop that doesn't contain an icon and place a permanent window on top of one's wallpaper to learn more. This option must be manually switched off in a setting at the bottom of the options page.

Microsoft also forces Co-Pilot onto consumers

In recent releases of Windows 11, Microsoft has decided to integrate its AI assistant, Copilot, directly into the operating system. This integration has raised concerns among consumer rights advocates, who argue that users are given limited control over the feature and its data collection practices. Critics claim that Copilot’s presence, often enabled by default and not easily removable, undermines user choice and privacy. Supporters, however, contend that the tool enhances productivity and reflects the growing role of artificial intelligence in everyday computing. The debate highlights broader issues regarding software autonomy, informed consent, and the extent to which technology companies can embed proprietary services into essential consumer platforms.