Windows 11 was released to general availability on 5 October with later rollouts, however many would argue Microsoft had rushed its release, with features that make it exciting only coming in the Dev Channel, which are possible to come to stable users in Q3 2022. So why, exactly, did they rush Windows 11? The answer is OEMs, and I am going to explain that later. But what does this all mean?

The new features

Dev Insiders have seen lots of new and exciting features over the past builds, such as Voice access, Live Captions, visual refinements and new Snap Layouts. These features finally make Windows 11 worth the hype, but they are released half a year after the general availability? Microsoft had chosen to rush Windows 11 to only offer its basic changes in the original release, and it is clear that they are aiming for a 22H2 release packed and stuffed with exciting features and a ton of fixes. Especially, Build 22557, which was awaited for 2 weeks, brought the new Task Manager, which many users have claimed to be now missing, in favour of the old one. So why exactly is Microsoft so indecisive with caracteristics and release dates?

Was Windows 11 really rushed?

It definitely was. Now, to be clear, it isn’t all Microsoft’s fault, since OEMs are very persuasive in pursuing contracts.

Why was it rushed?

Cutting to the chase, Windows 11 has been rushed from a few possible reasons. We did the maths and decided what are the most likely ones.

A way of putting it is that by the launch of Windows 10, Microsoft had signed a contract with OEMs to release a new version of Windows every six years, so that the general hype surrounding the new OS would boost OEM PC sales. However, this can’t be 100% proved, since only one period of six years has passed, and we will have to see that.

Another theory is that the OEMs had persuaded Microsoft to air a new Windows release so that it makes it just in time for Christmas, so that OEM PC sales are boosted by the generous holiday season, with lots and lots of presents being given to people.

Update: Surface revenues have strongly affected the Windows 11 release, as the new release of Windows was rushed to release in the third quarter of 2021, for the new Surface line-up, featuring Microsoft’s new operating system, to be available to the market in the final quarter of 2021, in time for the giving season. This relation is tied to the fact that Panos Panay is Chef Product Officer of Windows and the Surface line-up.

Conclusion

We have concluded that Windows 11 definitely was rushed, but no theory can exactly and surely prove as to why and how that happened. However, we expect the OEMs to have requested Microsoft to release it earlier than planned. However, the first major update might just be what should’ve been the original release.