“Windows doesn’t really suck” — ex‑Microsoft engineer calls for a ‘Pro Mode’ to cut the clutter

Microsoft stopped supporting Windows 10 last month, meaning users had to switch to Windows 11 or pay for continued security updates. But some experts say these updates are just a temporary fix, only delaying the inevitable for another year.

Even though the company claims Windows 11 PCs are up to 2.3 times faster than those running Windows 10, and despite aggressive advertising, people don’t seem eager to switch. This might be because Microsoft requires specific, and sometimes demanding, hardware, and because the new operating system has some consistent design issues.

Some people believe Microsoft intentionally ended support for Windows 10 to force users to upgrade, a practice known as planned obsolescence. This has left around 400 million computers unsupported and could result in a massive wave of discarded devices.

We recently asked our readers what they disliked about Windows 11, and our editor, Ben Wilson, reviewed the responses. The biggest issues seemed to be Microsoft’s strong push for AI features, changes to the Start menu, and the requirement to use a Microsoft account during setup.

👉 Ex-Microsoft Senior Software Engineer says Windows 11’s Start menu is comically bad

As highlighted by one of our readers in our relatively new and shiny comment section:

As a long-time user, I’m starting to really feel frustrated with Windows 11. It’s not one big thing, but a ton of little annoyances that are adding up. For example, why does Windows break if I try to switch away from Edge? I install another browser, set it as default, and somehow Edge always ends up back on top! It’s incredibly annoying. And I can’t even get rid of Copilot completely!

Then there are the constant ads, pop-ups, and attempts to upsell me things. It feels like I’m constantly being bombarded, and even after I’ve fully set up my PC, it keeps asking me to ‘finish setting up’ – which just means more sales pitches. Plus, random background processes spin up all the time, hogging my system resources.

Honestly, Microsoft’s approach is really off-putting. They seem to want total control, and things like the Xbox situation and the push for AI just aren’t inspiring confidence. The worst part is, I’m not tech-savvy enough to switch to Linux – I’ve tried before and it was too frustrating. And I definitely don’t want to go to Apple, because their software *and* hardware are too locked down. I feel stuck, and it’s really disheartening.

Sam Lawton

Even Dave Plummer, a former Microsoft engineer and popular YouTuber known as Dave’s Garage, recently expressed strong dissatisfaction with Windows, stating plainly in a new video that it’s “terrible.”

Plummer previously worked as an engineer at Microsoft, where he helped develop various parts of Windows, such as the Task Manager, Calculator, Windows Pinball, and the ability to open ZIP files.

The experienced engineer acknowledges that Windows 11 is user-friendly for most people, but it doesn’t cater as well to advanced users who heavily rely on the operating system for their daily tasks.

The engineer also shared a compelling solution to improve Windows 11, potentially making it more attractive to all users, even those with advanced needs. As Plummer explained:

I’m about to share an unpopular opinion – that Windows isn’t perfect for everyone, and sometimes it genuinely falls short. Having worked on early versions of Windows in the 90s, I can pinpoint the specific design choices that caused problems, explain who those choices were intended for, and suggest how to improve things if I were in charge today.

According to Plummer, Microsoft has spent the last twenty years making its products more user-friendly for everyone. But he believes this focus on simplicity doesn’t always satisfy experienced or advanced users.

According to the engineer, Microsoft used to focus on building an app store for Windows, particularly during Steve Ballmer’s time as CEO. Now that they’ve achieved this, the famous ‘Developers, Developers, Developers!’ rallying cry should shift to focus on ‘Power Users, Power Users, Power Users!’ because these are the people who truly drive how Windows is used and are the go-to source for technical help.

Microsoft engineer explains how he’d fix Windows

As a tech enthusiast, I found Dave Plummer’s idea really interesting. He thinks we could build an OS that’s genuinely inviting for new users without dumbing everything down. His solution? A ‘clutch pedal’ – basically a pro mode that lets you unlock the full power of the system, maybe even bring back some of that classic customization. He envisions shifting the OS from being overly safe and talkative to something more predictable and powerful. It’s a cool concept – an OS that grows *with* you, rather than holding your hand forever.

He explained that the planned “professional mode” would be more than just a cosmetic change. It would fundamentally alter how the operating system works, removing unwanted app suggestions and web searches unless specifically requested. He also wants to simplify settings by consolidating them into one central location, eliminating the need to search through multiple menus, as Plummer put it, “No more scavenger hunting.”

Ultimately, the Windows Terminal will be the standard console experience. Plummer believes tools like Winget (the Windows Package Manager), SSH, tar, and similar utilities should be readily accessible and automatically configured for users.

Plummer explained that the professional mode should avoid unnecessary interruptions and second-guessing. He noted common user complaints about Windows, such as concerns about privacy and data collection, being required to create a Microsoft account during setup, disruptive and unexpected updates, and the feeling that Windows constantly tries to fill every available space on your desktop.

The best way to handle telemetry concerns isn’t to eliminate it entirely, but to be completely open about it and give users control. As Plummer put it, “If I were in charge, Windows would include a privacy log,” which would be a constantly updated record of all data sent from the system.

According to Plummer, the key to resolving Windows update problems lies in predictable timing and a well-planned schedule for security updates. He believes a better system for managing these updates is needed. That’s why Plummer’s ‘pro mode’ automatically schedules Windows maintenance, ensuring it won’t interrupt your work with unexpected restarts. He emphasizes, “It never reboots you when you’re in the middle of something.”

The update should clearly explain any changes in simple terms and allow users to easily revert to a previous version with a single click. It also aims to stop Windows from constantly trying to sell other Microsoft products. As one observer put it, the operating system had begun to feel more like a marketing platform than a core piece of software.

Plummer explains that this change would make Windows Pro a subscription service, effectively removing all the unwanted advertisements.

When people criticize Windows today, they’re usually not focused on technical issues like how it handles tasks or manages files. Instead, they’re frustrated by the constant push for sales and upgrades on a device they’ve already purchased.

According to Plummer:

The core of the joke is that Windows isn’t actually bad. It’s that Windows aims to please everyone, but it doesn’t provide a space for people who like to customize and tinker with things.

As a researcher, I’ve been following the feedback on Windows, and this engineer’s suggestion to implement a ‘Pro’ mode seems to resolve many of the user concerns. However, it’s still unclear if Microsoft will actually adopt this idea and include it in a future version of Windows, like Windows 11 or even Windows 12.

Plummer, who left Microsoft over twenty years ago, feels overlooked. He says no one asks for his insights now, and he doesn’t get acknowledged for either the company’s successes or failures – even though he believes he deserves to celebrate the good and criticize the bad.

FAQ

Why do people dislike Windows 11?

People on social media are mainly frustrated by a mix of too many ads, demanding hardware needs, and problems with the design itself.

What is ‘Pro Mode’ in Windows?

This is a planned addition that would offer experienced users a simpler, more powerful interface, removing features unnecessary for beginners.

Why do some users want Pro Mode?

Windows frequently simplifies things for new users by concealing complex settings or adding more steps. However, experienced users often prefer a faster, more direct way to access everything.

Is Microsoft planning to add Pro Mode?

There’s no official confirmation. It’s currently just a suggestion from outside the company.

When will Microsoft ship Windows 12?

I’ve been wondering about what Microsoft has planned after Windows 11, and while they haven’t officially said anything about a Windows 12, there’s been a lot of talk and hints that they’re actually working on it. It’s exciting to think about what the next version of Windows might bring!

2025-11-10 17:41