I don't think stagnation is the answer either. Refined, faster, smaller are all great things but you don't need to keep things the same in order to achieve that

I don't think stagnation is the answer either. Refined, faster, smaller are all great things but you don't need to keep things the same in order to achieve that. I love my fast small stable Linux distro, but there is a lot of new things with it and it is constantly getting updated. I have choice in window managers, but I prefer Sway... I have a choice of launchers, but I prefer a simple solution like wofi... I have a choice of "start menus" but I prefer Waybar. This is innovation. Windows just keeps adding more junk, more telemetry, rounded corners, forced OEM updates, online accounts, etc that they practically force on you. Customizing a Windows install is a huge PiA. It is like they are incapable of coming up with new lighter weight solutions on their own, even if the kernel is updated and the OS gets new functionality like WSL. That is why I seriously think they will adopt Linux at their core and build a Windows compatibility layer around it. I'm certain they are losing a descent market share to Mac and Linux as is, especially their developers who are now creating applications for other operating systems and not just Windows. In a short time they've adopted containers, WSL, a new terminal with Linux-like functionality, etc.