When was the last time you were deeply, truly keen to check out a new build of Windows? For me, I think the last time I was really wowed by a Windows build was with Windows 7. 8.1 wasn’t too much of a jump, and Windows 10 was cozy, but not too exciting. Windows 11 went in the wrong direction for me; it didn’t so much as innovate as it did remove key features from Windows without much rhyme or reason. And you still can’t do some things like resizing the Start menu without additional aid.
Then, Microsoft revealed this year’s major update for Windows 11: version 25H2. I’ll give the company credit here: at no point did Microsoft hype up, advertise, or even really publicise the update. The company was very forward with the fact that, while 24H2 introduced some cool new features, 25H2 would be more of a moment of rest for the OS as Microsoft tweaked some things and removed some legacy apps. However, it still reminded me that moving to Linux was the best idea I had this year.
Microsoft’s 25H2 update didn’t bring a lot to the table
It never claimed to be big, but I’m still underwhelmed
So, Windows 11 25H2 has just hit people’s computers. As I said earlier, Microsoft never said that the upgrade would be a huge, monumental update. In fact, you’d be forgiven for not knowing it was even a thing. There’s a good reason why Microsoft didn’t pull out all the stops to advertise it: the biggest change you’ll likely notice is that it removes features.Granted, there’s a lot more behind the curtain that we don’t see, but it’s still working away to help us. For instance, there are some new additions to enhance Microsoft’s security, which are always welcome. However, in terms of things we’ll notice, there’s the removal of PowerShell 2.0 and the Windows Management Instrumentation command-line (WMIC), which doesn’t feel great.
Microsoft’s focus appears to be on Copilot
The AI assistant has seen a flurry of updates recently
So, if Microsoft isn’t pouring all of its attention into Windows, where is it focusing on? Well, you don’t have to look too far from the Windows 11 ecosystem to find out. While the operating system hasn’t seen too many new, exciting features, the same can’t be said about Copilot.
Copilot has been gaining momentum recently. Not only does it receive new updates every month that significantly enhance how people use Microsoft 365, but free users also gain access to features that expand as the technology evolves. And it makes a ton of sense for Microsoft to shift gears like this. In the Windows heydaysthe company may have relied on operating system license sales to keep afloat; these days, it has several subscription services that bring in the money instead, especially after it gave away Windows 11 to everyone who wanted to upgrade.
Linux is as update-happy as you like
Want plenty? Want none? There’s something for you
Given how I’m not really excited about Copilot updates, I’ve taken some joy in using Linux instead. These are designed and built by volunteers who are passionate about operating systems, and because they’re non-profit, their additions are more focused on user experience than on revenue growth. As such, not only do the updates occur more frequently, but they also often contain some really nice, welcome additions to the operating system that keep it feeling fresh and fun.
That’s not to say that all Linux distributions get updated frequently. In fact, there’s a distro to fit every personal preference. As for myself, I really love how Fedora where Plasma updates almost every single day; they’re not always huge feature updates, but it feels good to be using something that’s constantly evolving and adapting as I use it. It does mean that stability can be an issue; for example, one update for Fedora KDE Plasma caused the Plasma desktop environment to crash repeatedly after about ten minutes. However, because Fedora KDE Plasma retains the last three kernels, I booted up to the previous one, waited for an update to fix the issue, and the problem was resolved.
If you prefer a Linux distribution that doesn’t update multiple times a week, there’s something for you, too. I’m not an expert on these kinds of distros, as I appreciate my frequent updates, but from what I’ve read, Debian Stable receives new feature updates every few years and then maintains stability with regular fixes and security patches. So, really, you get to pick how much your OS changes over time, and I love that.
Linux is the operating system for me
With Windows no longer feeling exciting to me, it reminds me of how my decision to switch to Linux was the right one. When Windows 10’s support ends later this month, I hope more people give Linux a spin and find something new for themselves.
