Microsoft faces mounting challenges: Windows 11 core functions ‘broken’
Microsoft faces significant challenges with Windows 11’s core functions being ‘broken,’ leading to user dissatisfaction and a growing shift towards Apple’s macOS, amid recent outages and performance issues. Picture: Microsoft
Image: Microsoft
Microsoft has finally admitted the problems Windows 11 has faced are numerous and troubling.
Last week, Microsoft 365 experienced a serious outage that meant its files were unusable. This is a common occurrence with the tech giant’s cloud services.
Also last week, graphics processing company Nvidia said Microsoft was to blame for performance problems in many games, which required an emergency patch to fix the issue.
This comes after Microsoft finally pulled the trigger on Windows 10 in mid-October to end the official support for the operating system version. That means there will be no more security updates, bug fixes, or any kind of tech support for Windows 10.
Windows 11 Update Issues and the Growing Shift to Apple’s macOS
It’s believed there are between 400 million and 650 million users still on Windows 10.
Microsoft has also admitted to Windows 11 problems with the Start Menu, Taskbar, Explorer, and Windows Settings.
Microsoft said in a statement: "After provisioning a PC with a Windows 11, version 24H2 monthly cumulative update released on or after July 2025 (KB5062553), various apps such as StartMenuExperiencehost, Search, SystemSettings, Taskbar, or Explorer might experience difficulties.
“The applications have dependencies on XAML packages that are not registering in time after installing the update.
“We are working on a resolution and will provide more information when it is available.”
It’s a quite shocking state of affairs for Microsoft as more and more users make the switch to Apple.
While Apple’s macOS remains much smaller, with 72% of the global market still on Windows, the trend is that more people are switching daily. The 15% market share of macOS will likely continue to chip away at Windows’ dominance while the problems of Windows 11 persist.