As we approach October 5, 2026, it marks a significant milestone—six years since Microsoft made Windows 11 widely available. Yet, the operating system has faced considerable challenges in attracting users and achieving widespread adoption. This struggle persists even after the discontinuation of support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, which left many users with limited options. The decision to end support has not been well received, prompting numerous petitions from users and organizations urging Microsoft to reconsider, fearing it may lead to a surge in discarded computers.
In response to these concerns, Microsoft has introduced the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, allowing users to continue receiving security updates for an additional year beyond the cutoff date. Users can enroll by syncing their PC settings to the cloud via a Microsoft account or by paying a fee of or 1,000 Microsoft reward points. Interestingly, for those in the European Economic Area, access to the ESU program is available at no cost, circumventing the usual requirements.
Challenges of Upgrading
Over the years, many users have expressed hesitance to upgrade to Windows 11, citing various reasons. Chief among these are Microsoft’s stringent hardware requirements, design flaws within the operating system, and the company’s recent focus on integrating artificial intelligence into its software offerings. Last year, Microsoft unveiled plans to transform Windows into an agentic AI operating system, equipped with advanced capabilities that would allow users to delegate tasks to their PCs. However, this initiative has not resonated well with the user base, resulting in significant backlash.
Amidst this backdrop, Microsoft has been actively embedding its Copilot AI across its technology ecosystem, particularly within Windows. This integration is becoming increasingly ubiquitous, with recent reports suggesting that Copilot may soon appear in the File Explorer of Windows 11. A hidden button discovered in the latest preview builds hints at potential functionalities that could assist users in analyzing and managing their documents and photos.
Despite these advancements, a substantial segment of the user community remains skeptical of Microsoft’s AI direction. Even CEO Satya Nadella’s attempts to shift perceptions away from derogatory terms like “slop” have not gained traction, leading to the emergence of a new moniker for the company—Microslop.
In light of these modern challenges, innovative solutions are emerging. One such development is Winslop, a lightweight application designed to help users remove the AI features that Microsoft has integrated into Windows 11. Created by the same developer behind Flyoobe, Winslop not only targets AI bloatware but also empowers users to eliminate other unnecessary components of the operating system that may not serve their needs.
Will Microsoft persist with its vision of an agentic OS despite the pushback from users? We invite you to share your thoughts in the comments.
Windows 11 users are still turning to third-party tools to bypass Microsoft’s push for all-encompassing AI — and “Winslop” is the most categorical example to date
As we approach October 5, 2026, it marks a significant milestone—six years since Microsoft made Windows 11 widely available. Yet, the operating system has faced considerable challenges in attracting users and achieving widespread adoption. This struggle persists even after the discontinuation of support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, which left many users with limited options. The decision to end support has not been well received, prompting numerous petitions from users and organizations urging Microsoft to reconsider, fearing it may lead to a surge in discarded computers.
In response to these concerns, Microsoft has introduced the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, allowing users to continue receiving security updates for an additional year beyond the cutoff date. Users can enroll by syncing their PC settings to the cloud via a Microsoft account or by paying a fee of or 1,000 Microsoft reward points. Interestingly, for those in the European Economic Area, access to the ESU program is available at no cost, circumventing the usual requirements.
Challenges of Upgrading
Over the years, many users have expressed hesitance to upgrade to Windows 11, citing various reasons. Chief among these are Microsoft’s stringent hardware requirements, design flaws within the operating system, and the company’s recent focus on integrating artificial intelligence into its software offerings. Last year, Microsoft unveiled plans to transform Windows into an agentic AI operating system, equipped with advanced capabilities that would allow users to delegate tasks to their PCs. However, this initiative has not resonated well with the user base, resulting in significant backlash.
Amidst this backdrop, Microsoft has been actively embedding its Copilot AI across its technology ecosystem, particularly within Windows. This integration is becoming increasingly ubiquitous, with recent reports suggesting that Copilot may soon appear in the File Explorer of Windows 11. A hidden button discovered in the latest preview builds hints at potential functionalities that could assist users in analyzing and managing their documents and photos.
Despite these advancements, a substantial segment of the user community remains skeptical of Microsoft’s AI direction. Even CEO Satya Nadella’s attempts to shift perceptions away from derogatory terms like “slop” have not gained traction, leading to the emergence of a new moniker for the company—Microslop.
In light of these modern challenges, innovative solutions are emerging. One such development is Winslop, a lightweight application designed to help users remove the AI features that Microsoft has integrated into Windows 11. Created by the same developer behind Flyoobe, Winslop not only targets AI bloatware but also empowers users to eliminate other unnecessary components of the operating system that may not serve their needs.
Will Microsoft persist with its vision of an agentic OS despite the pushback from users? We invite you to share your thoughts in the comments.