Microsoft is embarking on an ambitious journey to enhance its ecosystem by establishing a dedicated team focused on developing native, high-quality Windows applications. This initiative is spearheaded by Rudy Huyn, a Principal Lead Architect whose extensive background includes pivotal roles in the Microsoft Store and File Explorer. Huyn is also known for his contributions to popular third-party applications during his tenure with the now-defunct Windows Phone platform.
New Directions for Windows Apps
In a recent post on X, Huyn shared his vision for the new team, emphasizing that prior experience with the Windows platform is not a prerequisite. Instead, he highlighted the importance of strong product thinking and a customer-centric approach. He reaffirmed the commitment to creating “100% native” applications, a statement that resonates with many who have longed for a more refined app experience on Windows.
No, 100% native
— Rudy Huyn (@RudyHuyn) March 27, 2026
Despite Windows commanding a significant share of the market, the quality of its applications has often been overshadowed by those available on macOS. For instance, the Outlook app for Mac is widely regarded as superior to both the traditional Outlook for Windows and the newer web-based client, which has faced criticism for performance issues and intrusive advertisements unless users opt for a premium subscription. Two years ago, privacy-focused company Proton labeled the new Outlook for Windows as “a data collection mechanism for Microsoft’s 772 external partners and an ad delivery system for Microsoft itself.”
The challenges extend to other applications as well. Microsoft Teams, for example, transitioned from the Electron framework to the Microsoft Edge WebView2 runtime, yet many users still find its performance lacking. Similarly, Copilot for Windows has undergone multiple redesigns in recent years but remains a WebView 2 application, failing to meet performance expectations.
The Microsoft Store, too, has been criticized for its inventory of basic web apps that offer little more than what users can access through their browsers. This situation may inadvertently signal to third-party developers that there is a lack of demand for well-crafted native applications among Windows users.
Reflecting on historical critiques, the late Steve Jobs once remarked that “Microsoft has no taste,” likening the experience of using iTunes for Windows to “giving a glass of ice water to someone in hell.” While the bloated iTunes for Windows may not be missed, it raises questions about why many new AI applications, such as ChatGPT and Codex, initially launched on Mac.
The formation of this new team aligns with Microsoft’s broader strategy to enhance Windows 11’s performance and reliability. The company has announced plans to reintroduce features such as the ability to reposition the taskbar and to optimize resource usage. Additionally, improvements are promised for core applications and experiences, including File Explorer, Windows Search, and the Start Menu.
As Microsoft takes these steps to address the pressing issues within Windows 11, the community is left to ponder whether the tech giant can indeed deliver on its promises for a more robust and user-friendly operating system.
