Project Microslop Didn't Work, Time For Plan B
One of the biggest stories over the weekend was Microsoft put out a blog post talking about long requested improvements to Windows 11 some of which where taken away in the move form Windows 10 to 11.
The first thing which I think was one of the biggest lacking features form the core Windows 11 experience is they plan to finally reinstate the ability to move the taskbar to the left right or top of your screen without the need for weird shell extensions or hacks.
They also promised to overhaul the windows update system, file explorer and also the claim to be reducing unnecessary Copilot entry points, starting with apps like Snipping Tool, Photos, Widgets and Notepad. And most notably there was a hint that after years of trying to push people to use Microsoft accounts they would be allowing offline local accounts once again no workarounds required.
These are big changes and a reversal of some of Microsoft AI push or as I like to call it Project Microslop. But it seems like the tide is changing, I have no sympathy for a faceless corporation to be clear but they have had a tough time in the current landscape once the dominant leader for desktop and laptop computers, they completely missed the smartphone revolution with windows phone and for the past decade MacOS, Chromebooks, Tablets, and Linux has all been chipping away at their user base.
Yet they did not help themselves in this scenario, Project Microslop only sought to alienate users further by adding copilot buttons to every piece of UI even when most of them simply just brought up the same web view interface this was on top of the annoyance many users already had with Windows 11 and its tendency to try to up sell you to Microsoft services, try to force into using a online Microsoft account for their user account.
Honestly some of these things where always mind boggling to me, like some users have moved to linux just because they want to easily make a offline account and don't want to be advertised to about your subscriptions. Well it seems like they are finally listening to or at least starting too. As much as I mostly daily drive a Mac Mini at home and tinker with Linux I would honestly love to see a Windows redemption arc.
The crazy thing is that windows is estimated to be about 10% of Microsoft revenue, but its one of its most important ones, Windows is the gateway to the real money makers, the enterprise subscriptions. but without windows there isn't much need for those subscriptions so why make windows so hostile.
Windows should be as enjoyable and stress free to use, working for the user rather than fighting against it. This is a good first step in the right direction and I remain optimistic that Microsoft will continue to pull back from Project Microslop and start to work on making Windows 11 a place people want to be rather than have to be.
Last Edited: 1 week, 4 days ago.