Microsoft’s Windows lead, Pavan Davuluri, has publicly addressed the growing wave of criticism surrounding the company’s aggressive push to transform Windows 11 into an “Agentic OS.” The controversy began earlier this month following comments Davuluri made about the future of Windows being deeply integrated with autonomous AI agents. While intended to showcase innovation, the vision struck a nerve with a user base already weary of feature bloat, intrusive ads, and perceived loss of control.
In a candid exchange on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) today, Davuluri responded to direct feedback from high-profile developers and power users who argued that Microsoft was losing touch with its core audience. One viral comment from a software engineer lamented, “I can’t see any reason for devs to choose Windows with this weird direction. It doesn’t look like anything a builder who wants OS control could choose.”
Davuluri’s response was notable for its humility. “We know words aren’t enough; it’s on us to continue improving and shipping,” he wrote. He explicitly acknowledged that the team is aware of the friction points causing frustration, including inconsistent UI elements, reliability issues, and the feeling that the OS is wrestling control away from the user. “We realize there are many things to be fixed in the operating system regarding user experience… and overall power user experience,” he added.
The term “Agentic OS” refers to an operating system where AI agents can proactively perform tasks across applications, manage files, and anticipate user needs. Microsoft views this as the next leap in personal computing. However, for many users, this translates to privacy concerns and a cluttered experience where AI features feel forced rather than helpful. The backlash has been compounded by recent updates that introduced more promotional content into the Start menu and difficulties in setting default browser preferences.
Davuluri’s comments suggest a potential pivot—or at least a rebalancing—of priorities within the Windows team. He emphasized that while the “agentic” future is still a goal, it cannot come at the expense of the foundational experience. He promised that upcoming updates would focus heavily on “quality of life” improvements for developers and power users, including better performance, less intrusive notifications, and more granular control over AI features.
For the developer community, this acknowledgment is a welcome sign, though skepticism remains high. Windows has faced stiff competition from macOS and Linux in the software engineering demographic. If Microsoft fails to address these core usability concerns, they risk alienating the very creators they need to build applications for their platform. Davuluri’s statement is a first step, but as he noted himself, the community is waiting for action, not just words.
