Comments on: Windows Heading To Full-Blown AI?

By: Clissa

Clissa — Sat, 17 Jan 2026 04:56:11 +0000

What stands out to me is the need to get a new laptop sooner rather than later.
The longer I leave it the less chance I have to unload the latest windows version and install something like W7.
Or perhaps Linux.

I’m just about to the point of ditching the internet permanently now anyway. So little need for the laptop to connect to the web.

Just a few places I go now like this comment and learning site. I’ve said that before and realise I’ve made more headway to leaving the net behind.

Apart from having a different PC/laptop/tablet system that runs without AI, I firmly believe many of us need a whole new web that doesn’t rely on AI at all.

But I’m too old and too tired now to join in much. It’s all gotten far too big for me. Just want to browse a bit now and then. Watch a few funny videos and perhaps play some cards and games with a few people in other places.
There’s a very good chance my next/last laptop will outlive me anyway.

By: Jim Hillier

Jim Hillier — Sat, 17 Jan 2026 02:16:53 +0000

In reply to Gary. Hey Gary, Yep. I believe there would be many Windows users thinking along the same lines.

By: Jim Hillier

Jim Hillier — Sat, 17 Jan 2026 02:15:14 +0000

In reply to Mark H..

It is almost as if Microsoft is trying to reinvent the wheel or making changes for the sake of change

Precisely. Good point!

By: Gary

Gary — Sat, 17 Jan 2026 01:30:29 +0000

Hi Jim, yes if Microsoft goes to an Agentic Ai then it will does itself a great disservice. I for one would have no problems moving to Linux. I already have a couple of PCs that dual boot and would easily convert my laptop and wifes laptop to Linux and loose none of our user functionality.

By: Mark H.

Mark H. — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 22:20:35 +0000

I dropped my Microsoft 365 subscription and have banished Copilot from my system. So far, updates to Windows 11 haven’t reverted my changes.
In the meantime I have set up my PC to dual boot Windows and Linux and have been tinkering with Linux. I was pleasantly surprised to discover Linux has no problem accessing files on NTFS formatted drives. And I’ve figured out how to run most of the programs I paid for on Linux as well, either using WINE or because there are Linux versions of the programs.
It won’t be long before Windows gets displaced on my machines. It isn’t just because Microsoft is pushing AI, but I am also getting weary of all of the “improvements” that Microsoft keeps making to Windows: Start, File Explorer, OneDrive, Settings, etc. It is almost as if Microsoft is trying to reinvent the wheel or making changes for the sake of change.

By: Ed

Ed — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 15:35:51 +0000

In reply to Jim Hillier. Honestly Jim, I don't think they really care. I think they are perfectly satisfied at the moment with only 50% of the market share with Windows 11. I think they know given time people and end users will have no other choice but to use what they put out because right now there is no real competition out there to knock them down a few notches. We need someone to develop an OS , whether it be Google or Linux to develop an OS that will actually give Microsoft some pause, until then, they are just going to keep dictating what OS you use and how you use it.

By: Jim Hillier

Jim Hillier — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 03:37:32 +0000

In reply to Ed.

Yes, I’ve seen those reports too Ed. On the one hand, with MS’s infatuation with AI, it’s quite believable. On the hand, it’s difficult to imagine MS abandoning billons of users of traditional PCs.

I realise that’s more or less what MS did with its strict Windows 11 requirements but I’m pretty sure MS underestimated the backlash. Would MS fall into the same trap again?

By: Ed

Ed — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 16:44:09 +0000

I honestly believe that is the intention Jim.

Microsoft is slowly phasing out it’s OS on purchased and self built home pc’s and angling it’s OS use for use solely on Copilot+ systems. Don’t know how much truth there is to it or not but word is 26H1 will not be available for normal home pc’s but for only Copilot+ systems.

By: Mindblower

Mindblower — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 14:16:54 +0000

Yes Jim, a very slippery slope for Microsoft and this Agentic AI Windows could signal the end of Windows’ dominance.

Hope the Board of Directors are smart enough to see the big picture, unless they are already replaced by AI’s.

Just not sure how this will affect the average user, Mindblower!