Microsoft, can we please simply name it Windows 11.1 already?

Every time I see an enormous Windows 11 replace I ponder why it wasn’t a Windows 11.1 or Windows 11.2 launch. Instead, Microsoft has used numerous complicated methods to call Windows updates in recent times as a substitute of a easy methodology like level releases.

Let me illustrate my level to you:

• Windows 10 Anniversary Update
• Windows 10 Creators Update
• Windows 10 Fall Creators Update
• Windows 10 October 2020 Update
• Windows 10 May 2021 Update
• Windows 11 22H2
• Windows 11 2023 Update

As you’ll be able to see, Microsoft is step by step attending to a extra comprehensible naming technique for Windows releases, however it nonetheless recurrently makes use of 22H2 and 23H2 monikers that sound like bizarre codenames to common folks. If you head into Windows Update you’re additionally extra prone to see a reference to 23H2, and even the about display screen in Windows lists 23H2 as the present model of Windows 11.

I’m not solely positive what’s stopping Microsoft from utilizing level releases for Windows nowadays. Windows 8 bought its personal Windows 8.1 replace, however it by no means had true level releases like Windows 8.1.1 or Windows 8.1.2. Then Windows 10 adopted with a complicated mess of promoting and inside names that always don’t make sense.

A number of years in the past a number of sources instructed me that Microsoft was taking a look at naming its updates after animals or folks, however finally determined in opposition to this for a wide range of causes, not least as a result of folks can do unhealthy issues and also you don’t need an OS named after a foul individual. Instead, Microsoft transitioned to month-to-month names over level releases, and now we’re again to yearly names that don’t actually imply a lot when you think about Windows 11 has had a number of huge updates in 2023 alone.

Apple efficiently makes use of level releases for iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS, even when it stubbornly sticks to naming macOS releases after areas. It’s simple for me to troubleshoot a member of the family’s iPhone and get a fast and clear thought of what model of iOS they’re working. On Windows, the 23H2 model quantity doesn’t actually inform me a lot, as a result of there are month-to-month updates that may add options on high. It’s additionally far simpler to Google “Windows 11.1” than “Windows 11 2023 Update November update” or “Windows 23H2 November features” to seek out out what bought added.

I imply simply take a look at Microsoft’s own update history page for Windows 11, it’s filled with a mixture of KB numbers and OS construct numbers. Now take a look at Apple’s list of updates to iOS 17, it’s instantly simpler to grasp that iOS 17.1.1 is the newest. Microsoft lists OS builds 22621.2715 and 22631.2715, which don’t imply a lot to actual people. Good luck evaluating these builds to 22621.2506 and 22631.2506, which had been launched simply two weeks aside.

Microsoft additionally has an extended historical past of getting advertising names for its Windows working methods horribly incorrect. Jared Spataro, head of recent work and enterprise purposes at Microsoft, joked about Windows naming earlier this month. “Simplicity and naming, well, they haven’t always been our strong suit,” admitted Spataro, whereas discussing the Bing Chat rebranding to Copilot. “Anyone else remember Windows XP 64-Bit Edition for 64-Bit Extended Systems? Just rolls off the tongue,” he joked.

Still, it might be a lot worse. Believe it or not, Microsoft used to ship a product referred to as “Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PC Phone Edition” and even launched Windows Phone as “Windows Phone 7.1 Series” earlier than shortly dropping the Series half. The Windows Mobile naming historical past was unfold over not less than 15 years of various model names, so we would have a short time to go but earlier than issues get higher.

Hopefully with Windows 12, or no matter Microsoft finally ends up calling it, we’ll lastly get level releases again or a transparent and straightforward strategy to determine the newest model of Windows. Until then, good luck serving to your member of the family with their Windows laptop computer throughout Thanksgiving. Oh, and don’t overlook to show off movement smoothing on your loved ones’s TV whilst you’re at it.