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Windows 11 and the decisions pushing users toward macOS and Linux

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While Windows Hesitates, macOS and Linux Move Forward

For decades, Windows was synonymous with PC.

It wasn’t perfect, but it was flexible, fast for work, and predictable. But something has been changing.

Microsoft remains a mega-corporation with nearly infinite resources, but the decisions around Windows 11 show a deeper issue: a lack of clear direction.

A recent example sums it all up. Windows search is noticeably slower than alternatives like:

  1. Spotlight on macOS
  2. Launchers on Linux (KRunner, Rofi, etc.)

Instead of optimizing it, the solution was to preload search at system startup, so it “feels” faster when the user needs it.

Technically it works. Conceptually, it’s concerning.

The core issue isn’t fixed: 👉 it’s just hidden.

The worst part is that this “solution” comes with a hidden cost: every task added to the startup consumes valuable RAM and CPU resources, making the entire system slower even when you’re not using the feature in question. It’s like trying to fix a leaky faucet by opening another faucet to mask the sound: the problem remains, but now you’re just wasting more water.

Decisions That Erode Trust

This isn’t an isolated case:

  1. The taskbar can’t be moved like in previous Windows versions
  2. Basic features that existed years ago are now “not possible” due to the new architecture
  3. The system keeps adding more layers: Bing, web, Copilot, AI, background services

The result is a heavier system, less flexible and less focused on power users.

macOS: Less Freedom, More Consistency

macOS isn’t perfect or cheap, but it does some things very well:

  1. Instant search
  2. Consistent UI
  3. Clear decisions (whether you like them or not)

Apple prioritizes experience and performance, even if it means limiting options.

Microsoft, on the other hand, seems to want everything at once… and ends up excelling at nothing.

Linux is No Longer Just “For Nerds”

Linux has stopped being just a hobby:

  1. Modern, stable, and fast distributions
  2. Polished desktop experiences (GNOME, KDE)
  3. Excellent performance even on modest hardware

And here comes a key point.

Steam and the Silent Blow

Valve created SteamOS, a Linux-based operating system.

The goal?

  1. Gaming
  2. Performance
  3. Total system control

Thanks to Proton, thousands of Windows games work on Linux without users even noticing.

This isn’t an experiment. It’s a major company betting on Linux as a real platform, not just an alternative.

And when a company the size of Valve decides not to depend on Windows… it’s a clear signal.

The Problem Isn’t Losing Users, It’s Losing Relevance

Microsoft isn’t going anywhere. Neither is Windows.

But today:

  1. macOS is gaining ground in development
  2. Linux is growing in servers, desktops, and gaming
  3. Windows is starting to feel reactive, not innovative

When a mega-corporation starts patching symptoms instead of solving root causes, something isn’t working.

Conclusion

The market isn’t abandoning Windows overnight. It’s looking for alternatives with better technical decisions.

And that’s the most dangerous thing for a leader: not losing users quickly, but losing them silently.

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