Frustrated ex-Microsoft engineer explains why Windows sucks

Dave Plummer is a notable ex-Microsoft engineer credited for the development of many Windows components including Task Manager, Space Cadet Pinball ports on Windows NT, ZIP file support, and more. We have covered his work on Neowin multiple times, including him flaunting a Special Edition copy of Windows 95. Now, the former executive has strayed into slightly controversial territory by publicly explaining why Windows "sucks".

In a video titled Windows "SUCKS": How I'd Fix It by a retired Microsoft Windows engineer over on his YouTube channel, Plummer has noted that in an effort to simplify the operating system for novice users, Microsoft has frustrated the more vocal power users who don't appreciate the new guardrails. To work around this problem, Plummer has suggested introducing a toggle which essentially enables a less "chatty" version of Windows so that it doesn't nudge you about app suggestions, doesn't trigger web searches in local search unless you ask for it, offers a single location for system-wide settings so that you don't have to go on a scavenger hunt, and makes power tools like Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), curl, Windows Terminal, and WinGet readily available and deeply integrated into Windows.

Plummer has also talked about how the word "telemetry" has become radioactive, but the solution isn't to do away with it completely. A better alternative is to offer full transparency and control to the user through a "privacy ledger", which records everything in an easily understandable format, along with offering controls to disable certain data packets being sent to Microsoft.

He also believes that customers are smart enough to be given an option during Windows setup if they want to proceed with a local account versus a Microsoft account, knowing the benefits and caveats of both. The ex-executive has emphasized the need for Windows updates to be only installed outside of active hours with a one-click rollback option so that they don't result in downtime during productive hours.

Interestingly, Plummer has also highlighted how Windows has begun to feel like a sales channel that upsells other Microsoft products. He believes that the solution is the same toggle discussed previously that disables all forms of suggestions, but this would be a difficult, if not impossible, pitch for current Microsoft executives who are prioritizing user clicks on suggestions. Plummer says that this is the prime reason that people detest Windows and say that it sucks, because it feels like you are on a sales channel for a product that you already paid for.

The whole video is rather interesting, especially coming from someone who understands the nitty gritty of Windows development processes. Plummer does talk about some other pain points too, such as the fragmentation between the Settings app versus the Control panel, so if you're interested in hearing his thoughts on the topic, check out the full video here.

What are your thoughts on Windows 11 (and Windows) in general? Does the OS suit your needs or do you, like Dave Plummer, think that it needs a major revamp that gives back more control to the user? Let us know in the comments section below!