For full Disclosure, I once upon was a software engineer at Microsoft. I witnessed first hand the evil decisions around Windows. I left Microsoft in 2006 but I am still part of the Alumni Network.
IMO Microsoft can gain users back by:
* Not requiring a Microsoft Account
* Ending all data/telemetry collection
* Not forcing Edge on its users
* Stop releasing improved UI updates every week
* Make bash, zsh, ... native for Windows
* Taking the AI out and making it an optional extension
* Making the Microsoft Store optional
IMO Microsoft can gain users back by:
* Not requiring a Microsoft Account * Ending all data/telemetry collection * Not forcing Edge on its users * Stop releasing improved UI updates every week * Make bash, zsh, ... native for Windows * Taking the AI out and making it an optional extension * Making the Microsoft Store optional
A *plus* would be to open source Windows.
I would be interested in hearing your pet peeves.