1) I do use app stores (F-Droid, Play etc) but I have no use for the Windows Store. Windows ModernUI apps are basically stripped down versions of more feature-filled desktop applications, so why wouldn't I just use them instead?
2) Secure apps? What does this even mean?
3) I love AI. I play games, so I have to.
4) Again, not even sure what you're suggesting.
5) I do use cloud services. Just not Microsoft, Google or Apple ones.
6) Modern does not immediately equate to good. This kind of thinking is naive.
My Windows machine is for games and games alone. I have no need or want of any of Microsoft's cloud integration.
> My Windows machine is for games and games alone. I have no need or want of any of Microsoft's cloud integration.
Fair enough. You could have skipped the other six points.
> Windows ModernUI apps are basically stripped down versions of more feature-filled desktop applications, so why wouldn't I just use them instead?
Windows ModernUI apps are written to Windows Runtime, not the old Win32 API. This means they are available from a trusted source (not eg Download.com), they are easy to install, can be updated automatically, they are easy to uninstall, they are more controlled than Win32 apps, and they run sandboxed, so they are more secure.
If a ModernUI app does what you need, it would be sensible to run the app rather than a traditional desktop program.
> they are easy to install, can be updated automatically, they are easy to uninstall
I generally don't have problems with any of those things.
> they are more controlled than Win32 apps
Not necessarily a good thing for power users.
> and they run sandboxed, so they are more secure.
Already got my own solution for this.
> If a ModernUI app does what you need, it would be sensible to run the app rather than a traditional desktop program.
That's what I'm saying. In my experience they generally are inferior to most desktop applications that already exist and are far more powerful and featureful. It's been this way since Windows 8 debuted the Windows Store.
If at some point in the future that changes then I'll consider switching over to them properly. Until then, I'll stick with Win32 programs that are...well, better in both UI (in my opinion, they are easier to navigate) and features.
ModernUI apps are just Microsoft's foray into the walled garden ecosystem. I can't blame them for doing it this way, there is a lot of money to be made and Apple and Google are both doing it so they run the risk of being left behind.
I still like control over how my operating system and the applications on it run though. I'm not an error-prone casual user. I don't need the use of my OS and programs dictated to me., nor do I like my applications to be delivered through a single vendor-controlled portal.
> I generally don't have problems with any of those things.
Good for you. Sadly, roughly 1.5 billion people frequently do have problems with all of those things.
> Not necessarily a good thing for power users.
Windows isn't written for power users. If it were, Microsoft would be a very small and very poor company.
> Already got my own solution for this.
Good for you. Sadly, roughly 1.5 billion people don't.
> In my experience they generally are inferior to most desktop applications that already exist and are far more powerful and featureful. It's been this way since Windows 8 debuted the Windows Store.
Absolutely true. But, as you say, the vast bulk of users seem to be very happy with iOS- and Android-level apps. Microsoft's strategy is to run the apps that most people appear to want.
> I can't blame them for doing it this way, there is a lot of money to be made and Apple and Google are both doing it so they run the risk of being left behind.
Yes, well put. That hits the nail right on the head....
That said, I'm not using the Windows Store, Cortana, ModernUI apps, OneDrive or even a Microsoft Account at all so your mileage may vary.