Windows Current State.

Windows has hit a horrible point when it comes to telemetry, AI, and design. Since Windows 8, Microsoft has been implementing a ton connections that just run in the background even if you do nothing while using your computer. For example, Windows 10 does 47 connections, and Windows 11 does 68 connections even when youre just sitting on the desktop (Source). Some connections are useful, like Windows Update, or your Widgets on the taskbar, but a LOT of them are unnecessary and do nothing but just tell Microsoft what you're doing, and useless pinging. Beyond pointless telemetry, Windows design language has been all over the place, my opinion is Windows 8's Metro was fine, Windows 10's Metro was AWFUL, and Windows 11's Fluent is better. Windows has lost features involving custom themes that used to be really easy to do back in the XP to 7 days, but in the more modern versions its become way more difficult to make custom themes and you're now forced to use external tools. People love showing their unique little ways that express who they even down to something small as a mouse cursor, it's a shame that Microsoft is taking a Apple play and making it difficult to make your Windows unique.

I am working on a article where I talk about my ethics, how to remove the telemetry, and where to find resources on theming your Windows install, but it is not ready! I last updated this article on 12/11/2025, I hope to get it done sometime in January.