Microsoft continues to face challenges with its Windows update strategy, as recent patches create unexpected problems while the company simultaneously pushes users toward Windows 11 ahead of Windows 10's end-of-support deadline. These dual issues highlight growing concerns about Microsoft's software quality control and its handling of the transition between operating system versions.
March Update Accidentally Removes Copilot
Microsoft's latest Patch Tuesday update (KB5053598) for Windows 11 has introduced an unexpected feature that many users might actually appreciate - the accidental removal of the Copilot application from Windows systems. Released on March 17, the update brought Windows 11's build number to 26100.3476 and was intended to address 57 security flaws, including seven zero-day vulnerabilities. However, in what appears to be an unintended consequence, the update completely uninstalls the Microsoft Copilot application on some devices and unpins it from the taskbar.
Growing List of Update Problems
The Copilot disappearance is just one of several issues plaguing the March update. Microsoft has officially acknowledged two other problems: Roblox no longer functioning on Arm devices and installation failures on systems with certain Citrix components. Beyond these official acknowledgments, users have reported numerous additional issues, including various installation error codes (0x800f0993, 0x800F081F, 0x80070032, and 0xC004F211), Remote Desktop Protocol disconnections, kernel errors, and Blue Screens of Death. In the most severe cases, some users have found their systems completely unbootable after installing the update.
Windows 10 End-of-Support Warnings Intensify
Simultaneously, Microsoft is ramping up warnings to the approximately 800 million users still running Windows 10, reminding them that support will end on October 14, 2025. The company has begun sending emails with the subject end of support for Windows 10 is approaching, including direct links to check upgrade eligibility or purchase new computers. Notably, these warnings fail to mention the previously announced 12-month extended support option, which will be available for a fee.
The Hardware Compatibility Challenge
Of the hundreds of millions of PCs still running Windows 10, an estimated 240 million do not meet the hardware requirements for Windows 11, primarily due to the need for a secure hardware module (TPM 2.0) that works with the new operating system to enhance security. This incompatibility is raising serious environmental concerns about a potential landfill catastrophe as users may be forced to replace otherwise functional computers.
Limited Options for Windows 10 Users
Microsoft has confirmed that Windows 10 PCs won't suddenly stop working after the October 2025 deadline, but they will become increasingly vulnerable to security threats as they no longer receive updates. While the company plans to offer a USD$30 extended support option, details remain limited, and it's unclear how many users will opt for this solution. Without security updates, these machines will likely become, as Microsoft warns, a hunting ground for malicious actors.
Microsoft's Shifting Priorities
The ongoing update issues and the handling of the Windows 10 transition have led to criticism that Microsoft appears increasingly disinterested in providing a reliable PC operating system. Critics suggest the company's focus has shifted toward selling AI services and cloud subscriptions, potentially at the expense of core operating system quality and reliability. This perception is reinforced by the company's aggressive push toward AI integration in Windows, despite the mixed reception these features have received from users.
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| The interconnected nature of software and updates reflects Microsoft's evolving priorities in the tech landscape |
Preparing for the Deadline
With the October 2025 deadline now approximately 19 months away, Windows 10 users face a critical decision: upgrade to Windows 11 if their hardware supports it, purchase new Windows 11-compatible hardware, pay for extended support, or risk using an unsupported operating system. Given the unprecedented scale of this transition, with hundreds of millions of PCs potentially falling off support simultaneously, users are advised not to wait until the last minute to develop their migration strategy.