My July 2016 post entitled “Windows10: Malware Pure and Simple” was an article about how an arrogant Global Tech Titan uses its powerful position to abuse its customer base. The piece was the second most read of my articles on LinkedIn and on my website last year (the first was “If Watford #Brexits, Britain Exits”). A few weeks ago, a colleague said she had read it and was wary of upgrading from Windows 7 Professional. Considering this, I thought I would update where I am now with Windows10 and emphasise the message that individuals should never put all their digital eggs in the basket of just one Tech Titan, no matter how good the offer sounds.

Shortly after I posted last year, Microsoft pumped out its major ‘Anniversary Update’ (Version 1607) for Windows10 which (over time with subsequent minor updates) sorted out a lot of the issues I referred to back then. I now find Windows10 to be remarkably stable as a desktop operating system. However, because of its early troubles, I ditched my Microsoft tablets and relegated my Lenovo Twist laptop (which runs better on the updated Win10) and today only really use Windows10 to power a multiscreen desktop PC setup in the office (see photo). 

As I mentioned in the article I was also thinking about moving to the Apple operating system and have done this by purchasing a MacBook - although this was not entirely as a result of the Windows10 launch debacle. Anyone who works in today’s tech environment can see that MAC portables/tablets have stolen a huge share of the Developer and Millennials segments, together with Apple’s traditional Designer/New Media fraternity. I incorporated the MAC into my stable of tech tools because I felt I just had to keep up! So now I travel with and within the Apple ecosystem with the iPhone (still miss my Blackberry), iPad and MacBook.

As a result, I have come to appreciate the advantages that a company flogging an operating system has if it can fully control, and integrate with, its manufactured hardware as well. It makes perfect sense for Microsoft to put a huge investment into its Surface range. Even though I judge Windows to be a better operating system than Apple's now, the Apple OS integration with the small form factor of a MacBook leads the ultra-notebook category.

All of which does not let Microsoft off the hook for dumping a sub-standard (not even sub-optimal) Windows10 into the market two years ago and counting on people like me to fix it on the fly before Version 1607. Microsoft’s record in introducing its operating systems into mobile devices (think phones) is not good and if they try this crappy practice in rolling out their new own brand manufactured ultra-portables/tablet desktop replacement range in the future, they will likely fail in a way which makes it impossible for them to recover. Microsoft’s growth is coming from Cloud services. It doesn’t take much to lose you name in this market given the levels of competition.

My advice in response to my colleague was go ahead, upgrade to Windows10. But try Google’s Cloud office suite so you don’t put all your eggs in one Tech Titan’s pocket. Microsoft's Windows10 launch practices were the arrogance of one such Titan and I have learned my lesson. I even use Google Docs on my MacBook as it has recently settled in nicely into the MAC world an am loyal to DropBox for storage, although for how long it can stay ‘independent’ remains to be seen. Using the digital services of just one supplier whether it be a telco's quadruple play (phone, TV, broadband, mobile) or the company that supples your hardware and operating system (Apple iTunes, TV, Music etc) is just a really dumb idea. No one company can innovate in all the areas that matter to your digital life. The more areas that you hand over to them to service, the more dependent you are on one supplier, and the more arrogant they get.