Windows 11 25H2 ... The Windows Me for the AI era!

 I have been pondering how best to convey the absolute car wreak that this particular version has been.

A Old User’s Breaking Point with Windows

Let’s get the predictable “just use Linux” advice out of the way first. I do use Linux — and have done since the Corel, Debian, Slackware, Red Hat, and SuSE days. I’ve also spent time with BSD, Darwin, and more than a few wonderfully strange operating systems over the years.

But alongside all of that, I’ve always used Windows in some form. From DOS onward, I’ve ridden every wave, good and bad. And until now, I’ve never truly thrown in the towel on a Microsoft release.

This latest incarnation, though? It’s easily the worst user experience I’ve ever had with a Windows product.

Even the usual punching bags — Windows 98/ME, Vista, and Windows 8 — look almost charming in comparison.

Where It All Falls Apart

I could write pages about the rough edges, and yes, the half‑baked AI integrations certainly don’t help. But historically, none of that has been a showstopper. There was always a way to fix things: Group Policy tweaks, registry edits, command‑line wizardry — the usual toolkit.

This time, the problems cut deeper.

1. The 24H2 → 25H2 Migration Mess

The upgrade path is a disaster. You end up with a Frankenstein build: 25H2 running on a 24H2 servicing stack. Try running a DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth on that combination and watch how quickly it falls apart.

To make matters worse, Microsoft no longer provides ISOs for 24H2 or 23H2. There’s no clean rollback path. You’re stuck with whatever the current release happens to be — take it or leave it.

2. Security That Undermines Itself

I take workstation security seriously. Memory integrity, kernel‑mode protection, stack guards — all good, all necessary.

But what’s the point of hardening the system when Microsoft hands out the keys to Ring 0 like party favours?

NVIDIA overlays, anti‑cheat systems like EAC, Javelin, and others all demand privileged access. Microsoft provides the tools to secure the kernel, then allows third‑party software to bypass those protections because… convenience?

It’s maddening. (crowdstrike anyone?)

3. Bloat, Ads, and Performance Regression

The bloat is out of control. The advertising is shameless. And the performance — especially on hardware that should be flying — is inconsistent at best and degraded at worst.

Everything feels heavier, slower, and more intrusive.

'End of Line....'

I’ve tolerated a lot from Windows over the decades. I’ve worked around design missteps, UI experiments, and questionable decisions. But this release crosses a line.

Between the broken update path, the compromised security model, the bloat, the ads, and the general instability, it’s the first time I’ve genuinely considered walking away from Windows entirely.

And that’s saying something.

When Windows Goes Off the Rails…  Options?

So yes — for reasons already established — I still need a Windows‑based system. That part isn’t up for debate. But after wrestling with the current Windows 11 client builds, it’s obvious they’re not fit for purpose. The instability, the regressions, the forced integrations, the broken servicing stack… it’s a clown car.

But there is a possible route. It’s not perfect, and it’s definitely not for everyone, but I’ve taken this path before:

Use the Server edition. (Yep)

This isn’t a new idea. If you know your Windows history, you’ll remember when the client and server OSes were completely different beasts. Then the NT kernel proved so superior that the old consumer line died, XP arrived, and for years the two editions moved in lockstep.

That harmony ended to an extent with Windows 11. The client builds — even the Workstation SKU — have become unstable, bloated, and increasingly unpredictable.

Enter Windows Server 2025.

Same kernel.
None of the consumer clutter.
No widgets.
No forced OneDrive.
Local accounts by default.
Kernel protections that actually stay enabled.
A cleaner, tighter networking stack.

The end result?
It feels like Windows 11, but behaves like a clean install of Windows 7 — fast, quiet, and refreshingly drama‑free.

Let’s Be Clear: This Isn’t a Casual Option

A few very real caveats:

• Licensing is expensive. Server editions are priced for businesses, enterprise = money!
• You need to know what you’re doing.
  Expect to install drivers manually, adjust policies, and nudge the OS into “desktop mode.”
• Some consumer features simply aren’t there.
  And you’ll need to decide whether you actually miss them (honestly this may not be a bad thing).

If you’re not comfortable shaping Windows by hand, this isn’t your path.

But if you are?
Server 2025 is shockingly good as a workstation OS — stable, and blissfully free of the slop

To summerise without the blow‑by‑blow setup:

• No consumer crap
  No widgets, no ads, no preinstalled “experiences,” no forced cloud tie‑ins.
• A cleaner security model
  Kernel protections stay enabled, and fewer third‑party components demand Ring‑0 access.
• A quieter, more predictable system
  Fewer background services, fewer scheduled tasks, and a networking stack tuned for reliability, not telemetry.
• A stable servicing model
  Server builds don’t suffer from the client‑side “Frankenstein update” problem.
• You can have Office and the MS Store and Games!                                                                   Most of this works with little complaint that includes Secondlife :)
• A system that respects you
  Local accounts, sane defaults, and no constant attempts to upsell or reconfigure your day :)

For the first time in ages, my system boots and I don’t feel like a third wheel. Everything works, nothing fights me, and I can finally get back to developing instead of babysitting an OS.

Much Love KL

PS: If you run unsupported 10 or 11 23H2 hold onto it until the legs fall off if you value your sanity :)