Should Windows 11 accessories that are updated one after another be welcome? Yoshikazu Akutsu's Windows Weekly Report

Notepad for Windows 11 Insider Preview. Corresponding to the long-awaited dark mode

Aside from the dark mode feature, which is also a favorite area, Microsoft is trying to modernize Windows 11 accessories. One of them is "Groove Music," which has been developed since the Windows 8 era as an application linked with Microsoft's music distribution service. However, although the service was launched in Japan under the name of "Xbox Music" in November 2013, it did not take root in the market.

In conjunction with the substantial end of development of Windows Media Player, users who manage music libraries on PCs have finished moving to other platforms. I also gave up managing with Windows Media Player, and for a long time I built a music management and playback environment with "foobar2000", and Groove music is limited to checking the recorded file at the time of interview.

In this way, the foundation for enjoying music on a Windows PC (even if it doesn't apply to all users) has once crumbled. It is "Media Player (Preview)" that appeared there.

For those following Windows 11 trends, the media player revamp is nothing new. In an official blog published on November 16, 2021 US time, Microsoft announced that it is developing an app to replace Groove Music. Although the major version number is different from version 11.2111.540 (Groove Music is version 10.21102.1141.0, by the way, Groove Music is version 10.21102.1141.0), the functions are minimal considering the minor version number difference.

Rereading the official blog above, I can't find any features that surpass Windows Media Player and Groove Music. That said, it's only natural that the accessories that come with the OS lack functionality. This is because it does not motivate engineers to develop, and it does not lead to the birth of third-party applications. This has been said many times with the evolution of Windows.

Although it is true that a full range of accessories indicates the potential of the OS, I would like to see the development resources directed to Windows 11 itself. Even if the quality of accessories improves, it would be putting the cart before the horse if Windows 11, which is the leading role, would have various problems. Personally, I'm interested to see if future feature updates improve Explorer quality.

An IT writer born in 1972. After working as an editorial staff for various PC magazines such as general PC magazines, DOS/V magazines, and Windows magazines, he became independent. While loving Windows and Linux, he has written many PC-related books. In recent years, not only BtoC but also BtoB solutions coverage and interviews are the main battlefield. I have been taking it every day without setting a liver-free day, but the γ-GTP level has increased sharply, and urgent action is required.