Who Owns Windows?

Windows operates under Microsoft's corporate sustainability framework, which includes some of the most ambitious commitments in the technology industry.

Carbon Negative by 2030: Microsoft has pledged to be carbon negative by 2030, removing more carbon than it emits. By 2050, the company aims to remove all historical carbon emitted since its founding in 1975. Windows development and distribution benefit from Microsoft's carbon-neutral cloud infrastructure and renewable energy procurement.

Renewable Energy: Microsoft has contracted sufficient renewable energy to match 100% of its electricity consumption. Windows update infrastructure runs on Microsoft's global data center network, which is increasingly powered by renewable sources.

Water Replenishment: Microsoft has committed to replenishing more water than it consumes by 2030, focusing on water-stressed regions where its data centers operate.

Circular Economy: Microsoft partners with hardware manufacturers to promote sustainable device design, repairability, and recycling. The company has implemented programs to extend device lifecycles and reduce electronic waste.

Privacy and Data Collection: Windows 10 and Windows 11 have faced extensive criticism regarding telemetry and data collection. The Dutch Data Protection Authority previously issued a complaint about Windows 10 privacy policies. Microsoft has implemented stronger privacy controls in response, but the tension between functionality and privacy remains.

1 Billion Users Milestone: Windows 11 reached 1 billion users in January 2026, announced by CEO Satya Nadella. This milestone, reached in 1,576 days, confirmed Windows 11 as the dominant desktop operating system globally.

Microsoft Store Awards 2025: Microsoft recognized outstanding Windows applications through its Microsoft Store Awards program, highlighting apps that deliver productivity, creativity, and gaming experiences on the Windows platform.

Accessibility Recognition: Windows has received awards for its built-in accessibility features, including Narrator, Magnifier, and closed captioning. Disability advocacy organizations have acknowledged Microsoft's commitment to inclusive design.

Gaming Platform: Windows remains the dominant PC gaming platform, supported by DirectX technologies and integration with Xbox Game Pass. The platform's gaming capabilities are recognized across the gaming industry.

Windows 10 End of Support: Windows 10 reached end of support in October 2025, leaving hundreds of millions of PCs without security patches. Microsoft initially offered one year of free Extended Security Updates (ESU) for consumers. In June 2026, the company quietly extended this to October 2027, acknowledging that many users could not or would not upgrade. Commercial ESU costs start at $66 per device for the first year and double each subsequent year.

Hardware Exclusion: Windows 11's TPM 2.0 and CPU requirements excluded an estimated 500 million Windows 10 PCs from upgrading. Critics argue this creates unnecessary electronic waste and digital exclusion, particularly for lower-income users and small businesses. Healthcare (23% of remaining Windows 10 devices) and manufacturing (18%) have the highest concentrations of unsupported devices.

Privacy and Telemetry: Windows 10 and 11 collect extensive diagnostic and usage data through telemetry. Privacy advocates and regulatory bodies, including the Dutch Data Protection Authority, have criticized these practices. Users have limited control over what data is collected, and the complexity of privacy settings makes informed consent difficult.

Forced Updates: Windows' automatic update system has generated persistent user frustration. Updates that restart computers automatically can cause data loss or workflow interruption. In 2025, several inadequate Windows updates caused stability issues, contributing to what PCWorld called "a bit of a nightmare year for Microsoft."

AI Feature Concerns: Microsoft's intense focus on AI features in Windows 11, including Copilot integration, has alienated some users. Critics argue that AI features are forced on users who do not want them, and that the push for AI-driven experiences comes at the expense of core functionality and user choice.

Antitrust Scrutiny: Microsoft has faced ongoing antitrust investigations regarding Windows bundling practices and integration with Microsoft cloud services. The FTC has examined whether Microsoft's business practices limit competition in software and cloud markets.