Microsoft makes me hate how much I love its products — and I’m making a fresh start with my new Galaxy Z Fold 7

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As a technology analyst, I find it perplexing how inconsistent Microsoft can be when it comes to delivering on their software promises, despite their expertise not only in cloud computing but also in software solutions.

Due to my deep affection for technology, I’ve persistently believed that I adore Microsoft’s software offerings. However, numerous instances of letdowns and the introduction of a new smartphone, namely the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 (which we recently reviewed), have shattered this illusion – I’m now weary of the constant struggle to use Microsoft products.

I’m seizing this moment to gradually break away from my reliance on Microsoft, as I no longer believe they genuinely prioritize anything beyond immediate financial gains. It seems their main concern is their profit margin, and unfortunately, that doesn’t appear to include Windows, Office, Xbox, or any of the other products I’ve come to depend on over the years.

My love/hate relationship with Microsoft

From about 2013 up until now, I’ve been deeply immersed in technology, although my passion for it had been there much earlier. While I may not be an industry veteran like some of my colleagues and supervisors, I’ve certainly made up for my later start with dedication and a strong drive to learn.

In the past, I found myself deeply attracted to the dynamic ascent of Android’s adaptable and undeniably disordered nature on mobile devices, the stable and admittedly dull rule of Windows on laptops and desktops, and the complexities of premium audio systems (which were beyond my teenage financial means at the time).

Initially, when I found out I was getting my first smartphone, the gadgets I desired were the Motorola Moto X and Nokia Lumia 1520. However, what ended up in my hands was the entry-level Nokia Lumia 520 – a device that I fell in love with despite its small size and square tiles layout.

Over the course of several years, I’ve deeply immersed myself in the Microsoft environment, but on more than one occasion, Microsoft’s actions have left me feeling disappointed.

Growing up, we owned an original Xbox in my family, but on a whim, my grandparents also purchased an Xbox 360 S for us kids. This unique blend of experiences turned me into a dedicated Microsoft enthusiast, and as I delved further into their consumer products, my admiration for the company only deepened.

Over time, I switched from my grumbly Gmail account to Outlook, invested in a Microsoft 365 membership, and fully embraced Windows by purchasing items like the Lumia 950 XL, Surface Pro 4, and Xbox One S. It’s not original to say this, but I truly feel it: those were the days of pure gold for me.

Over time, I found myself switching from my cherished Windows phone to Android (due to various reasons), moving away from Surface towards brands like Lenovo and HP for work, and losing confidence in several Microsoft products… including the once-trusted Xbox brand, which has caused me to question their reliability. So, what transpired?

Like people avoiding therapy, Microsoft hates commitment

Microsoft’s size is almost inconceivable, as it frequently handles figures that are beyond our human capacity to grasp visually. With a projected valuation of approximately $4 trillion, this tech giant underscores its enduring triumph, attributable largely to Azure and the cloud.

Due to its immense scale, Microsoft invests broadly across numerous technological domains. However, it also has a multitude of untouched endeavors, failing ventures, and stagnant proposals that remain unattended.

Microsoft boasts an abundance of resources and knowledge, enabling them to explore emerging trends or even pioneer fresh ones. However, they have a reputation for falling short when it comes to executing ideas that don’t achieve instant success.

There are numerous websites that keep a close eye on what Microsoft has retired or discontinued, although they may not be completely current. For instance, Windows phones, Windows Mixed Reality, Skype, Surface Duo, Cortana, Kinect, Zune – the list goes on and on. I’m just scratching the surface here; there are also many canceled video games and closed game studios that haven’t been mentioned yet.

Although Microsoft is a large and highly successful company, it appears to struggle consistently in developing enduring consumer-oriented products.

Microsoft struggles with hasty initial endeavors, insufficient ongoing funding, frequent revisions and revamps, unproductive duplication across various projects, inconsistent and unreliable communication, and a tendency to blindly follow trends without learning from past errors. This pattern results in squandered opportunities (and an unfortunate loss of jobs).

Microsoft is allergic to commitment, unless your name is “cloud” or “AI.”

Microsoft tends to be hesitant towards long-term obligations, except when it comes to enterprise clients, cloud services, or artificial intelligence. It’s worth noting that Microsoft’s aggressive approach toward AI, which often seemed unwanted by many, hasn’t deterred them from encouraging their staff to utilize their AI tools extensively.

Just yesterday, we compiled a list of five underrated products that seemed to have been overlooked by Microsoft. Lo and behold, within the same day, news broke out that Microsoft is indeed discontinuing its Movies & TV service entirely. It’s as if life imitates art!

As my coworker Jez Corden put it, it’s challenging to remain enthusiastic about Surface, Xbox, and Windows products from Microsoft.

It’s time to make some space — hello, new phone!

To set the record straight, I acknowledge that setbacks like failures, shutdowns, and adjustments (pivots) are commonplace in the technology sector, and businesses must sometimes take tough actions to persist. Interestingly, Google has its own solemn testament to these events, much like Microsoft’s, which is both awe-inspiring and disheartening simultaneously.

A key distinction lies in the perception that Google’s system offers a sense of consistency for users, whereas Microsoft’s offerings have been met with one letdown after another, frequently neglecting to inform us about discontinued products.

Despite the fact that Microsoft continues to significantly impact my life, truthfully, I am weary of the constant struggle to be a supporter. It seems as though Microsoft doesn’t truly desire to engage directly with consumers, and it has failed to regain even a shred of trust from them in recent times.

This company appears unstable and without a clear purpose, primarily motivated by the avarice of its upper management and stockholders. However, when Microsoft encounters difficulties, it’s the average consumers and everyday workers who bear the brunt of the consequences, as executive salaries are not impacted in the same way.

I’m honestly tired of fighting Microsoft just to be a fan.

With the new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 replacing my reliable Fold5, I plan to reduce my reliance on Microsoft. I’ll continue using Xbox, Microsoft Edge, Outlook, OneDrive, Phone Link, and Microsoft Authenticator, but I’m planning to cut back on everything else from Microsoft.

Avoid ongoing issues with Microsoft Launcher malfunctioning or failing to cooperate with foldable devices. Stop enduring delays in receiving significant updates for SwiftKey Keyboard, which often seem unrelated to user needs. Skip navigating through the heavy OneNote app that lacks my Sticky Notes functionality.

I’ve decided to abandon To Do, and I won’t be using Microsoft Teams anymore because it’s just not up to par. Honestly, Microsoft hasn’t done anything to make me care about Copilot or any of its other AI projects. There are plenty of other Microsoft experiments that I’m no longer interested in following.

I’ve dropped To Do and have no plans to use Microsoft Teams because it’s underwhelming. Microsoft hasn’t given me a reason to care about Copilot or any of its AI initiatives, so I’ll be ignoring their other experiments as well.

Moving ahead, I intend to lean heavily on Samsung, Google, and external software providers for my future software requirements, as I am not confident that Microsoft will be able to rebuild my trust in the near future.

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2025-07-24 22:10