Another year, another long list of changes to Windows that “nudge” you into making choices or adopting behaviors that aren’t in your interest. At some point, it really feels like Windows stopped existing to make the actual users of PCs happier, and now serve a different master. I think these changes are the most worrying.
Nudges to use AI
Credit: Microsoft
AI is the new bloatware and Windows is leading the charge to shove technologies like LLMs into every nook and cranny of its operating system. Even poor Notepad is getting an AI upgrade and despite widespread resistance from Windows users when it comes to doing things like having an AI watch your screen 24/7, the company is forging ahead like the Titanic late for a date with an iceberg.
In my home country of South Africa, Microsoft has been accused of using dark patterns to hide that its Microsoft 365 subscription actually had a CoPilot-free tier.
As reported by Reuters, in October 2025 Microsoft started bringing AI features to more aspects of Windows, connecting and integrating actions and tasks to interface with the company’s AI. While options are generally “opt-in” you’re still made aware that you could use CoPilot with a wake word, of use CoPilot Vision, or CoPilot actions. It’s all part of making Windows an “Agentic” OS and includes overhauling the taskbar.
So expect plenty of little popups and “helpful” nudges to let you know that you could be opting-in to these fabulous AI features.
Related
The File Explorer Menu in Windows 11 Is Getting Worse
No one likes clutter.
“Recommended Files” in File Explorer that push you toward Microsoft/OneDrive stuff
The November 2025 update of Windows 11 includes a subtle but important change to File Explorer. The “Quick Access” section that used to show you recent files you’ve used on your local drive will now be replaced by a “Recommended” section. This shows more types of content, including cloud-based content.
You can still get Quick Access back, but this is clearly a hard nudge towards drawing your attention to cloud-based content and away from a local data focus in Explorer.
Related
Windows 11 is about to get a lot more confusing
Who’s asking for this stuff?
Setup screens with bold “accept defaults” vs vague “customize” options
You may have noticed that, after certain big updates on your Windows computer, you’re presented with a screen very similar to the one you encountered when you first set up your computer. That original setup screen was known as the OOBE (Out Of Box Experience) and this new one is known as the SCOOBE or Second Change Out Of Box Experience.
You see, that first time when you said you didn’t want to use the Edge Browser, or sign up for OneDrive, or subscribe to whatever Microsoft us currently pushing, that wasn’t enough. Maybe you’ve changed your mind in the meantime, but just haven’t had the energy to actually go and change those settings. So here’s another unasked-for questionnaire first thing in the morning when you really just want to start your day.
Well, as Tom’s Guide reports Microsoft is “improving” this by condensing it onto one screen, but the dark pattern here is that the “Keep current settings” button is muted and hidden in plain sight, while the “Accept defaults” option is big and bright, ready for an impatient user to click on it and then later wonder why Edge is the default browser again!
Look at this! Literally, as I was writing this (on my Mac), I rebooted my Windows laptop to check if the latest updates have been applied, and the first thing it hits me with is a full-screen nag to restart my OneDrive.
Credit: Sydney Louw Butler/How-To Geek
Credit: Lucas Gouveia/How-To Geek
Yes, there’s been a lot of noise in many outlets about how Microsoft is cracking down on the creation of local accounts, but I personally think we can’t complain about it enough.
The company has been making the option to install Windows without a Microsoft account. It’s now so hidden, that you have to jump through hoops and even use special commands or tools like Rufus to make it straightforward.
Well, get ready, because Microsoft really is cracking down on all the loopholes that still allow for a local account. Insider builds of Windows have changes that now require both an internet connection and MS account to complete the OOBE. Multiple outlets quote that Microsoft was removing “known mechanisms for creating a local account in the Windows Setup experience (OOBE)”
Our friends at XDA frame this change as a de-facto removal of privacy-friendly local-only login, arguing that eventually the only straightforward path to a local account is after setup—and even that can leave traces of cloud-linking.
While it’s just my personal opinion, I think the writing is on the wall for the direction that Windows is going, and if you care about control over your data and computer at all, there’s never been a better time to consider an alternative.
