The thing is, Microsoft does make good software: Excel, Visual Studio, VSCode, Xbox.
I don't believe the problem is the engineers, the leadership of Windows fails to understand what the OS is meant for: getting out of the way so you can access the apps.
I heard the Acquired podcast episode on Microsoft, and I can’t pretend that their business strategies failed; they didn’t, and arguably it is the most successful company in history. I have a lot of respect for the business side.
And the things that rub me the wrong way are part of their success, e.g. embedding WWW into the OS early on.
The main reason I can’t work for them is their Vogon aesthetics. They’re like a square pair of shoes: not meant for you.
"OS is meant for: getting out of the way so you can access the apps."
When I first got into computers an operating system was primarily known as a file-loader — a way or mechanism to load one's apps. Take CP/M as an example.
I don't believe the problem is the engineers, the leadership of Windows fails to understand what the OS is meant for: getting out of the way so you can access the apps.