Dave Plummer, the visionary behind the Windows Task Manager and the beloved Pinball game, has voiced his concerns regarding the current trajectory of Windows 11. His critique centers on Microsoft’s recent inclination to integrate new artificial intelligence features, which he argues compromises the stability of the operating system. Plummer asserts that the essence of stable releases lies in their ability to address critical bugs, rather than introducing new functionalities that may exacerbate existing issues.
An Example from Windows XP
Reflecting on Microsoft’s past, Plummer draws parallels to the tumultuous period surrounding the release of Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2). In response to the havoc wreaked by the Blaster and Sasser worms, Microsoft made a pivotal decision to halt the introduction of new features. Instead, the company redirected its efforts towards enhancing security and stability, a move that ultimately fortified Windows XP against its vulnerabilities. Plummer posits that a similar strategy is urgently needed for Windows 11. He advocates for a pause on feature additions, particularly those driven by neural networks, until the system is stabilized and existing bugs are resolved.
Another Call for Stability and Performance
At the heart of Plummer’s argument is a plea for Microsoft to recalibrate its focus on the fundamental user experience. He emphasizes the necessity for the company to adopt the same approach it took with XP SP2: prioritizing fixes over new features. “No more artificial intelligence, no more extra features, just fixes,” he insists. Plummer envisions a Windows 11 that is not only stable and productive but also user-friendly, particularly for power users who rely on the operating system for their daily tasks. His call to action is clear: it’s time for Microsoft to concentrate on optimizing and stabilizing the platform rather than expanding its feature set.
