I'm sorry I don't have the time or mental capacity right now to give you the thoughtful and measured answer you're asking for. I hope you don't mind I asked GPT to give me a brief and comprehensible overview type text that touches on the main points of critique directed at Microsoft. This is of course only surface level and restricted to the Windows-side of things (there could be tons said with regards to Linux and the whole open source movement):
Many people use Windows because it's familiar and widely supported. However, under the surface,
Windows (especially Windows 11) has serious problems in terms of
privacy, security, data collection, and user control. For many users, especially those who care about protecting their personal data and remaining autonomous in a digital world, these issues are not just technical — they are deeply important.
Here is a clear, bullet-style list of core concerns:
Windows often behaves in ways that benefit Microsoft's business goals
at the expense of user privacy.
- By default, system settings enable extensive data collection and telemetry.
- Users are asked to create or link a Microsoft Account in ways that are difficult to refuse without losing functionality. Wikipedia
- Some features (e.g., integrated advertising, forced promotion of Microsoft services) push users toward Microsoft services even when privacy-aware alternatives exist.
These defaults lead many privacy advocates to conclude that the system treats personal data as a
resource to be collected and monetized, rather than something users should control.
Windows has historically been more affected by malware than many other systems.
- The huge market share of Windows makes it a primary target for viruses, trojans, ransomware, and other malware.
- Closed-source, proprietary code means independent experts cannot audit the system to find security flaws — security depends on Microsoft's own priorities and patching cycles.
- Tools designed to bypass Windows hardware restrictions (e.g. to install unsupported versions of Windows 11) are quickly abused by malware authors, because Windows systems are so widely targeted. Windows Central
This ecosystem encourages attacks and makes it harder for users to protect themselves.
Windows sends far more diagnostic and usage data to Microsoft than most users realize.
- Telemetry data collection is enabled by default and not fully removable on non-enterprise versions. Wikipedia
- Many settings buried deep in menus are required to reduce data sharing, and even then some data tracking continues.
- This collected data can include personalization details, typing patterns, configuration data, and more.
In many legal frameworks, the
right to informational self-determination means users should control if and how personal data is shared. But Windows' design often assumes data collection unless users dig deep to turn it off.
Some Windows features collect data in ways that critics argue can threaten personal dignity:
- The Recall feature — an AI tool originally designed to capture screenshots of everything on your screen so you can search your history — was widely criticized for potentially capturing sensitive information like financial details or personal documents. TechRadar+1
- Even after updates, reports suggest Recall can still capture sensitive on-screen information despite filters intended to block passwords and credit card numbers. Tom's Guide
The concern here is not just "data collection," but collecting
everything you see and do on your screen, which raises ethical questions about the boundaries between user and system.
Many privacy advocates connect such pervasive system surveillance to deeper issues —
that a user's sense of autonomy, dignity, and control is diminished when every action, input, or screen could be recorded or analyzed.
Windows systems are often more vulnerable because of both structural and policy choices:
- Windows uses a complex, closed-source codebase that cannot be independently audited for hidden vulnerabilities.
- Its permission and rights management model has historically been weaker than many Unix-like systems (Linux, BSD), making privilege escalation and malware attacks easier.
- Frequent reliance on third-party antivirus solutions is often necessary because Windows' built-in protection is reactive rather than preventive.
These factors contribute to a system that is more frequently targeted by malware authors and less resilient by design.
Many users have complained about recent practices in Windows 11 that feel intrusive or heavy-handed:
- Forced integration of AI assistants like Copilot, even when users don't want them. Many users have expressed frustration and backlash over Copilot and AI features being pushed aggressively by Microsoft. Windows Central
- Default features and new service integrations are often opt-out rather than opt-in, meaning users have to dig through settings if they don't want certain features.
- Microsoft has been known to override user preferences, for example by using proprietary hooks to redirect search or browser defaults back to Microsoft's own browser (Microsoft Edge), and patching third-party tools that attempt to restore user control. Wikipedia
These examples illustrate a broader pattern: users are often
nudged toward Microsoft's preferred ecosystem, rather than enabled to keep control.
If you care about
privacy, data protection, and autonomy, then:
- Windows collects more data than most users expect or understand.
- Much of this data collection cannot be disabled easily.
- The deep integration of AI and telemetry features raises real concerns about ongoing surveillance.
- Windows' security model and closed source nature make it harder for independent auditors to vet or improve the system.
- Microsoft's business incentives often push toward expanding data collection and service integration.
Many users who value personal digital freedom choose
open, transparent, and audit-able systems instead — such as Linux distributions, which prioritize user control and do not build in large-scale data collection by default.
forums.developer.nvidia.com
until I forced a shut down.
