What I wish from Windows 10 in 2021

There is a buzz going around that the next Windows 10 feature update, i.e., Windows 10 21H1, which is expected to roll out in April 2021, will bring significant changes to Windows 10. The feature update, which is code-named Sun Valley, is expected to offer the following changes:

• A modern and upgraded taskbar
• The File explorer with an improved user interface
• New Start Menu and Action Centre
• Better dark mode support

These changes might not be sounding exciting or calling for some significant changes, but that’s how Microsoft has set the tone through its updates that even such unimportant changes are seen as the major ones.

If you are an avid Windows 10 user, you will agree with me on the fact that since the inception of Windows 10 in 2015, we haven’t received something remarkable or different updates in it. Yes, Microsoft provides two so-called major feature updates every year, but to be frank, in those updates, you will hardly find any notable changes that will give you the feel of a MAJOR update.

The reason Microsoft is not finding any motivation to bring actual major changes in Windows 10 is that, for them, a stable running OS is more than enough. Ever since they have decided to stop launching any more Windows versions after Windows 10, it has become easy for them not to think about presenting something different. Also, there is no one to give them competition (let’s keep Apple aside), so losing current consumers is very rare.

However, the users are not content with such minor tweaks. Most of the time, they are provided with some little UI customization or some very insignificant features in the name of a feature update. And that too majorly half-cooked. 

With almost the same Windows 10 going on since 2015, the user expectations from Microsoft to bring some quality changes is quite high in the future updates. 

Here is the list of a few features or options that users wish to be incorporated in future Windows 10 updates.

Reduce feature updates to one per year

You profoundly want this to happen, don’t you? Windows 10 release a feature update every half of the year, the latest one is October 2020, i.e., Windows 10 20H2. A feature update means a vast amount of download and a prolonged time for installation. And hilariously, after updating and installing your system for hours, you still won’t find any notable difference. 

Though many feature updates introduce some essential features and optimize your system, troubling your system with it TWICE a year is totally unacceptable. Microsoft can do that in a single major update per year too.

The cumulative and B, C & D Updates, i.e., the minor ones, are already there to bring out the security updates, bug fixes, and optimization. 

Merge the Settings and Control Panel

This is the change that, if it happens, would be called a truly major update. For a long, Windows users have relied on Control Panel for configuring all the system settings. From Windows 8.1, Microsoft introduced a separate Settings app that takes care of a few frequent settings, but even after that, Control Panel never lost its relevancy.

Though the new Settings app is quite a user friendly and straight forward with its modern UI, its introduction has created ambiguity in the users’ mind. 

Now, while in need of making some changes, users become confused about whether to go for the Settings app or the traditional Control Panel. Such confusion can be really frustrating, especially in case of urgency.

Microsoft should sincerely think of some solutions to this issue. Fortunately, the action to merge Settings and Control Panel applications is probably already started as in recent updates, Microsoft has transferred some options from the traditional Control Panel to the Settings app. 

Though Microsoft has never officially mentioned it, this move is undoubtedly indicating that change might happen. But nobody knows how much time it would take.

More Secure and Private Operating System

As compared to macOS, Windows 10 has a lot to do in the security field. Though Microsoft has continuously worked on improving the quality of Windows 10 in-built security solution – Microsoft Defender, Windows is still vulnerable to malicious attacks. According to the AV-test recent report, Windows computers account for 83% of all malware attacks in 2020.

The reason Apple’s macOS is hugely popular among top business managers because Apple is more privacy and security concerned than Microsoft. 

Apart from security, there is a major privacy concern too. In the name of providing refined services, Microsoft is collecting a lot of user data. However, in reality, the collected data is being used for the purpose of ad targetting.

Privacy leakage is an essential matter, and it would be better if Microsoft becomes more transparent to issue more details on the collected data.

Flexibility in Choosing for Update

Though in their last few updates, Microsoft has included some options through which users can delay the updates on their Windows 10 system, ultimately updates are being forced upon them.

Although this practice ensures that the users are updated with the latest security patches, but not every Windows update is stable. Microsoft has a history of releasing uncooked updates for Windows 10 systems. No user wants its stable machine to become non-functional after updating to the latest version.

It would be better if Microsoft provides more flexibility in choosing when to update the system in future updates. In this way, the user can update their devices whenever the new release becomes bug-free.

Launch the SETS

In the year 2017, in one of their pre-insider preview, Microsoft announced that they are all set to release a new exciting feature known as Sets for the Windows 10 system.

Set is an exciting feature for a multitasker. It would let the users create a ‘set’ of applications they might use in a project. For example, if you are researching and building an Android app, the Sets would let you create a document where you can run multiple applications by just switching the tabs. You can open the Browser app, a code editor, an Excel Sheet, a PowerPoint app, and more apps in a single Set. All the essentials you required for completing the project would remain connected through Sets.

Though Microsoft announced to release the insider version of Sets in December 2017, it never came alive. Microsoft occasionally adds it into few insider preview, but later exclude it in the others. It is now nowhere to be seen. 

If Microsoft really wants to provide a major feature update, then this is what should be included in any of the upcoming feature updates. It is tough to explain why Sets is kept away from the users, despite being announced in 2017.

Aero Glass Interface

Remember the Aero Glass interface of the Windows Vista and Windows 7 operating systems? Aero (Authentic, Energetic, Reflective, and Open) is a design language that provided a fresh and elegant user interface to Windows Vista and Windows 7. It has a separate fan-base, and that is huge in number.

However, despite being popular, Microsoft discontinued it from Windows 8 onwards, stating that it uses higher system memory. Microsoft switched to a more optimized Metro design for Windows 8, 8.1, and later for Windows 10.

The users demand to bring back the Aero Glass interface. If it is causing more RAM usage, then Microsoft can either optimize it or make it optional.

Bottom Line

It is true that there is no limit to the user expectations, and since Windows 10 has a humongous user base, not every user demands can be entertained. However, the wishes listed above are not from just a few people; millions are demanding it. Moreover, Microsoft won’t find much difficulty in fulfilling those. They are all realistic and easily implementable. Microsoft should definitely consider such demands to make Windows 10 lively, more usable, and secure.

Peter Brown

Peter is an Electrical Engineer whose primary interest is tinkering with his computer. He is passionate about Windows 10 Platform and enjoys writing tips and tutorials about it.