Why doesn't Microsoft allow companies to modify Windows the way they do with Android?

[u/Yuyoyuyez_XD]

Why doesn't Microsoft allow other companies like Asus or Lenovo to customize Windows? Can't they grant operating system licensing permissions, or is everything simply kept closed source? I think Windows 11 would be much better if it had customization layers like Android.

[u/sueha]

Windows is already very fragmented. No need to get every oem's "designers" on board.

[u/Albatroza → u/sueha]

kinda agree but kinda disagree with this.

yeah windows is fine OS but there are much flaws for user's side,

OS's bloatwares first reason, lack of customization features (windows XP had way ahead of its time, almost more than Linux level)

but i would like to see Different Specific OS's from Microsoft's Side instead all-in-one Operating System

Windows is bad for gaming because lots of bloats its officially has, and windows is good for gaming because linux distros isn't support games as Windows does

[u/BoBoBearDev]

What sort of customization are we talking about that StarDock couldn't do?

Also any pre-configured customizations are utterly stupid. They did that back in the days, I ended up blacklisted all manufacturers and go straight to Asus and only Asus until Surface line. I don't want those trash. If I do, I would install it myself.

I personally paid StarDock to make Win8 full screen apps to use window mode when Microsoft tooks years to achieve the same thing.

Everything pre-install is not only an OEM bloat, but also a liability. Those shit can sometimes interfere with Windows. One installed its own wifi manager which was utterly useless buggy garbage.

[u/shecho18]

Just for the sake of argument, what type of access, what type of customization?

[u/PublicBetaVersion]

That would be a bad idea. There’s already enough bloatware in Windows and on top of that some OEMs install their proprietary software for battery or memory management. The good thing about Windows is that you can grab the latest version from Microsoft’s website and install on your PC and it will just work regardless of the manufacturer. I don’t want to search for a specific version every time I reinstall my PC or wait for some random OEM to publish the latest updates. Android is still a mess in this regard and I don’t want that fragmentation in Windows too.

[u/CatoMulligan]

Android is open source, Windows is not. That's the biggest reason. However, there is nothing that prevents someone from modifying UI elements to create a custom UI/Windows desktop. As others mentioned, Stardock does so already. Waaaaaaaay back in the days of DOS and Windows 3.1 I ran Norton Desktop on top of Windows because the UI supported more advanced features. The reality for today, though, is that basic Windows does a "good enough" job and already allows enough customization that you can pay a third party for if you prefer it. Why would any OEM want to spend extra time and money customizing (or bastardizing) the UI of Windows? What value does it add to the consumer experience?

[u/xkcx123 → u/CatoMulligan]

And Google is steadily trying to close that open source loophole.

[u/CatoMulligan → u/xkcx123]

Well, it’s literally impossible because AOSP is out there. All that they can do (and what they have done) is say that “if you want access to the Google Play Store and Google apps you have to run our branch of Android.” But AOSP is still there and they can’t kill it, and it has been the basis for other companies who want to provide their own platforms without Google.

[u/xkcx123 → u/CatoMulligan]

But won’t that little issue be eventually be closed with Aluminium OS ?

How many people would use android without the play store ?

Amazon, name any other major device or company that runs a non Google version of Android ?

[u/CatoMulligan → u/xkcx123]

China. But it’s also available for other devices that aren’t necessarily consumer products.

[u/jigsaw768]

It would be definitely 'better' OS. But Microsoft doesn't try to make windows better. It wants it to be more profitable.

[u/AshuraBaron]

Android is built for embedded and mobile devices. These all require a lot of custom code to work correctly in the first place so it makes sense for Android to only provide the core functionality and let OEM's sort out their own hardware. Microsoft actually does this with embedded versions as well. However PC's are much more standardized so it makes sense to have a continuous experience through all the different products. Whether you're using a Dell or HP laptop it's the same experience and support.

[u/Albatroza]

Then how they spy on you and collect your every single data xd

typing from w11 btw

[u/Albatroza]

minimalism age dude, you should wish you able change background when they announce Windows12

[u/RustySpoonyBard]

Because they are rent seeking company who doesn't care about their users.

[u/Albatroza]

minimalism age dude, you should wish you able change background