Microsoft addresses Windows 11 criticism by adding taskbar customization, better update control, and performance improvements. Learn about upcoming changes in 2026.
© E. Vartanyan
Microsoft has acknowledged growing user dissatisfaction with Windows 11 and promised a series of changes aimed at improving stability and user experience. This response comes after a wave of criticism, including the emergence of the ironic nickname "Microslop," which reflects user frustration with frequent crashes and problematic system updates.
Pavan Davuluri, President of Windows and Devices, reported that the team has been carefully studying user feedback over recent months. As a result, the company has prepared a plan that involves revising several controversial decisions and bringing back features previously removed from the system. One key change will be expanded taskbar customization—users will once again be able to move it to the top, left, or right side of the screen.
Microsoft also intends to reconsider Copilot integration. The company plans to more cautiously implement AI features and remove them from a number of applications. Additionally, users will gain more control over updates: they will have the ability to postpone reboots, skip updates during initial device setup, and shut down or restart the system without mandatory update installations.
Special attention will be given to performance and convenience. Microsoft promises to speed up the launch and operation of File Explorer, make navigation smoother, and improve overall system stability. Users will also get more options for managing widgets and the news feed to reduce distractions. Updates will start appearing in the Windows Insider program as early as March and April 2026.
The company emphasizes that this is only the beginning of broader efforts to improve Windows 11. Microsoft plans to regularly release new test builds throughout the year and engage more actively with the user community to restore trust in the system.