It's no secret that things have been a little tough for Microsoft lately. Investors are not happy with the slow rollout of new Copilot features on Windows. Consumers aren't happy that Microsoft keeps stuffing their systems with unnecessary AI garbage. Gamers aren't satisfied with the fact that Windows 11 is a much less stable PC gaming platform than Windows 10.
But I had a literal kind of dream last night about Martin Luther King Jr. I was sitting in front of my PC working on Windows, but it wasn't the Windows I know today. No, it was a stripped-down version of Microsoft's industry-dominating OS. There was no AI shovelware, no unnecessary features, no preloaded apps or annoying widgets, no distractions. Basic desktop interface with applications only I I chose to download it.
No, this is not a joke. Yes, this is probably a sign that years of computing tech journalism have completely exhausted my brain to the point where I see Microsoft in my sleep, and I should consider taking a sabbatical. But the longer I think about it, the more I become convinced that this idea really has merit. What about a stripped back version of Windows? did exist?
System overload
It's no secret that Windows has gotten a little…bloated in recent years. The recently introduced AI-powered features under the Copilot banner are probably the first to come to mind. That's a very valid concern. Copilot and other AI tools in Windows have proven polarizing among users at best, in some cases to the point that Microsoft has had to provide an option to remove them entirely.
However, there is much more at stake than just the threat of “helpful” AI infiltration. Feature bloat in general has been a growing concern since Windows XP, and buying a new Windows laptop inevitably means you're getting a ton of software you don't want and probably won't ever use.
Seriously, take a look at your Windows 11 device's default program list (assuming you haven't taken steps to clean up your OS like I did). Paint 3D, Phone Link, Mixed Reality Portal, Xbox Console Companion, Solitaire and casual games. It's all trash that I never asked for. In addition to this, most laptops and off-the-shelf desktop PCs (my current HP laptop has 10 It comes pre-installed with completely unnecessary extra apps), and it's quickly becoming a digital nightmare of Lynchian proportions.
Okay, maybe I'm being a little dramatic. Windows 11 still won't suck me into the evil portal to the Black Lodge. But there's no denying that the average user actually needs very little from an OS. On the other hand, Microsoft seems fixated on cramming in more and more features. more Inside Windows 11's already creaky superstructure. It's no wonder Windows 10 remains so popular.
back to basics
I'm not alone in this opinion. A former Microsoft engineer recently criticized Windows 11's continued bloat on social media, saying, “We don't need AI or features. We just need to fix them.” These are powerful words that ring true. Hardly a day goes by when a trusted news writer doesn't report on another major failure by the world's most popular operating system.
In fact, Windows already has the following versions: generally Meets my requirements: Tiny11. It's pretty much the same as described above, a stripped-down Windows 11 with AI features and bloatware removed for a more streamlined experience. It has already proven to be very popular. The only problem is that it's not officially supported by Microsoft. This means that using it exposes you to potential security risks and unreliability regarding updates and driver support.
so why do not have Do we just strip away everything we need and give users what they actually want? ChromeOS, for all its weaknesses against Windows, at least provides a very accessible and, more importantly, resource-efficient user experience. As the demand for AI drives up the price of PC components, an OS that can run smoothly and effectively on less powerful hardware will become essential. After all, it was Microsoft that inspired the industry-wide increase to 16 GB of RAM as the new standard for Windows laptops, but given the current skyrocketing prices of RAM, that plan seems impossible at the moment.
In fact, ChromeOS already has an even lighter version, the nifty cloud-based ChromeOS Flex, which makes it easy to turn older Windows devices into Chromebooks. It's also good for the planet – let's be honest, e-waste is a serious problem around the world, and being able to keep using your old laptop with a new OS is great for the environment. and your wallet.
To be clear, I'm not suggesting Microsoft take a cloud-based approach here. This feels too close to an “OS as a Service” situation, but literally every sensible person would agree that you'd rather just buy a Windows key and be done with it. However, there are some things that need to be adjusted. I'm not just talking about removing all redundant AI elements.
Building the perfect streamlined OS
The important thing here is that we removed the TPM 2.0 requirement. I've fired at Microsoft about this before, because it's literally one of the biggest things holding back Windows 11 adoption: the amount of outdated devices. literally can't do that This is because there is no TPM 2.0 motherboard module. Sure, this is good for security, and I can understand why businesses would want to use it, but at the end of the day, this doesn't offer much benefit to the average individual user. The main reason is that the best defense against cyber-attacks is simply to use the internet wisely.
Without the required TPM 2.0, this virtual slimmed-down Windows could potentially run on a large number of existing Windows 10 (or earlier) devices that are still on their current OS.
For information on the installed apps and functions, should Wait, that's a short list. While the basic software that's been around forever (calculators, calendars, cameras, and some form of media viewer) is safe, there are some things, like the Settings app and File Explorer, that can't reasonably be removed without disrupting overall OS functionality. Add a browser and Microsoft Store access (but No ads, Microsoft) Just make sure you can download any other software you need and you're done. There are no Game Pass pop-ups or OneDrive free trials. It's a blank canvas for you to do exactly what you need.
I don't expect Windows to improve in 2026. In fact, I expect it to get worse.
As for what to call this new OS, Microsoft, I'll leave that ball in your court. I'm just an idea guy. Perhaps “Windows Lite”? Or is it “Windows Mini”? With an XP-inspired design, you might even call it “Windows Classic.” I'm sure many people will like it.
One last thing to note. Although surprising, Microsoft has stressed that it has no intention of doing this. If that happens, I will eat 5 cans of raw Spam on video and upload it to TechRadar's social media. Not to slam CEO Satya Nadella too hard here, but Microsoft is all on board the AI gravy train, and the only thing it's doing right now to feed the bottomless greed of its shareholders is to haphazardly shove AI into Windows 11. It's a shame to end 2025 on a somewhat bitter note, but I don't expect Windows to be any better in 2026. In fact, I expect it to get worse.
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