On Not Using Windows 11

Actually, I do. I was an early adopter. I’m using a preview version of it.

What I’ve observed, however, is that the way tech writers think about technology and the way ordinary people do is significantly different.

As I’ve aged, my business has also evolved into serving more individuals and less businesses. Even when I was serving small businesses, however, the key feature of any technology was simply that it worked. People want to go to their computer, do what they want to do, and not be interrupted by some new tweak of the software, adjustment to the user interface, or any failure to perform.

These same people consider a popup explaining to them that a wonderful new AI based feature could help them write their letter better to be a disruption to their work, not a blessing. They’re not going to say, “Wow! Let’s try this out and see how it works!” They just want to get the letter written, printed, and off in the mail.

I read an article this morning trying to explain why 70% of users are still on Windows 10 and haven’t adopted Windows 11. It makes some interesting points about Microsoft’s approach to attracting them. The article is quite correct that these users are happy with Windows 10 and that none of the advertised new capabilities of Windows 11 attract them. But then the writer goes on to suggest that Copilot+ is just the thing, and might get people going.

No. It. Is. Not.

I actually use AI, though Copilot is not something I’ve bothered with. I have AI in a number of apps. I think it’s generally overrated, but it does some useful things and I, being pretty much a techie myself, use it for work and also play with new features.

But most people just want their computer to be a tool to help them get a few things done. They don’t need wonderful suggestions. They don’t want to follow directions extracted from the internet by the AI. In fact, they’d like to avoid thinking about their technology. They just want it to work.

And they want it to work on simple things. Writing that letter. A simple spreadsheet. Watch a video.

They also want it to continue to work consistently. When they upgrade and find that all the commands they use have been moved to new places on the menu, or the menu has been replaced by a ribbon, or someone is inviting them to use voice commands, it doesn’t make them feel blessed by the wonders of new technology. It just annoys them.

For something that has become so deeply embedded in our society, information processing technology needs to start paying more attention to stability and quality. Let people like me use preview versions to get all the bells and whistles. Make stable, usable, consistent products for the majority of people out there.

And don’t be surprised when people aren’t that excited about your new toys. All they wanted was for you to fix the glitches in the old ones.

To fit with the subject I used Text to Image on Adobe Express to create the featured image and added text effects with questionable readability. So there! (Oh, and I do like Adobe Express, but like any technology, it can be used badly.)