#Microsoft support is broken

155 messages · Page 1 of 1 (latest)

exotic falcon
#

Related post: "Windows search for file/folder is broken."
(Note: no single appropriate category for this issue exists currently, so I chose what fit best. If any community staff could fix this, would be nice.)

Problem overview:
Windows support and feedback systems are objectively abysmal (to clarify, the official ones) when you take in to consideration the size of the organization and the fact that they openly(https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2015/06/12/how-windows-insider-feedback-influences-windows-10-development/) preach that they value their user feedback.

This is blatant misinformation to the user by Microsoft. The hyperlink above goes to the official page adressing user feedback by microsoft. I did not try to find this, to clarify. It was linked to my by the feedback hub present in the windows OS.

The link (at the time of writing this) contains broken css, outdated information, and the page is 10 years old. Anyone with a PC and internet is free to verify.

We are talking about a multi-billion dollar company. I understand that for most big companies their main priority is their goals and not the users. This should be obvious to any rational person. However, we are talking about one of the largest tech companies out there.

This is not satire. This is not AI generated.
This is Microsoft.

Here is the link to my feedback hub ticket: https://aka.ms/AAzggfm

-# Note: This is not an issue I am looking for help with. This is a report on current affairs of Microsoft

#

Just to clarify (as I did with my other post about the major feature bug that has been there for several years), I did originally look for an official bug report channel, but was met with similar "reddit top result + years old outdated official channel". Didn't spend much time looking, but from user perspective, doesn't make sense to.
The image below that shows "resources" is also from the oficial microsoft website:
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/1464662550108049480/1465001814490480844/image.png?ex=69836242&is=698210c2&hm=e65aa53869c48621ca9d694e93f2ed715f1d4e601219da16476ce6ebcbaf8cf5&

#

anyone with a computer and internet conn can verify with a quick google search

#

This is what a windows user is met with when seeking support. This is Microsoft

#

for any readers with feedback hub, dont forget to like my post!

#

to raise awareness

#

this is the first step to improvement.

pliant axle
exotic falcon
#

ofcourse!

#

in regards to the issue, it has to do with the "main" search

#

(windows key or button)

#

the problem has been present for several years, but i can verify on windows 11 home currently.

#

with 2 different test case scenarios

#

(from memory from childhood, i believe this issue is 10+ years old)

#

i always remember as a kid "why cant i find this on the search? meh ill just go there manually"

#

finally recently, i had enough and decided to adress it

#

its a major feature and relates to accessability

#

so doesnt make sense that its existed this long

#

if you would like further details on test cases or otherwise, let me know

#

i added a comment on the feedback up post too with a 2nd test case if i remember correctly

exotic falcon
#

extra detail: ive verified the issue across 4 other windows users (my friends)

#

forgot to ask them the versions though

#

the only case where the issue seems to not be present

#

was in "work" context

#

one of my friends mentioned he couldnt replicate on his "work laptop" (windows)

#

again sorry dont know the versions in those cases

exotic falcon
#

if youre windows 11 home

#

heres my details regarding version:

#

Verified as of time of this message:

#

searched a folder i have used atleast 20 times in the past month

#

best result:

pliant axle
exotic falcon
#

yep

#

not the actual explorer app

#

just start menu

#

i havent researched the explorer further

#

heres a better image

#

further context:

pliant axle
exotic falcon
#

theres another folder on my pc

#

that ive acced 20+ times

#

with the exact same name

#

in the last month

#

even better image:

#

i cna share more, but not publicly (safety issues)

pliant axle
# exotic falcon

Ah! So your saying you cannot find the files via the start menu or search bar?

exotic falcon
#

yep

#

and this issue has been present to my bestk nowledge for over 10 years

#

across multiple versions

#

it might literally be a "!" in the code lol

#

at times

#

it seems like windows

#

is trying to hide the folder

pliant axle
exotic falcon
#

i undeerstand about the search index part

#

but i think its irrelevant to the goal here

#

that we should be trying to improve

#

(irrelevant for user perspective)*

pliant axle
#

Im still trying to understand currently 🤔

exotic falcon
#

ofc ofc

#

let me know if i can clarify anything

#

if youre windows 11 try to verify if you have a folder you use freuqently

#

search it etc

#

if you know a keyword present in a common folder and uncommon one for your uses

#

thats a good test case!

#

this bug might literally be resolvable in less than an hour too lol

#

im not an expert at OS at all

#

but from my experience, it is plausable

exotic falcon
#

im talking code wise here

#

bureaucracy* lol

pliant axle
exotic falcon
#

im not sure of the technical details

#

i wont be able to help much on that aspect but I can try if needed

#

but yes its for files and directories only

#

(from what ive seen)

#

apps seem perfectly fine

#

Test case 1

To test the feature, I thought of a partial keyword that was present in multiple files and folders. Before testing, I chose a folder that had this keyword before hand (to use as my 'goal'), opened and closed it several times, and opened a few sub-folders inside to simulate activity. I then made a .txt file in it, wrote some dummy text, saved it, and closed everything after.
The test results are shown below:
-The best match was an app on my PC with the keyword in its name.
-Under the 'Folders' tab, every folder shown was not the folder, nor a sub folder inside of the goal folder.
-Under the 'Documents' tab there were similar unrelated results.
-Every single result in the suggestions was months old (in terms of last use date).

Test case 2

I was looking for a folder on my PC with some schematics for a game I play often (I had opened this folder in the last month well over 10 times, and edited, deleted, and added files in it both through windows explorer, and through the game). I decided to use the search to try get there fast today. Upon typing "schematics" - the exact name of the folder I wanted - I was met with a "best match" of another folder with the same

#

ive extracted the 2 test cases from my feedback hub report

#

since there seems to be interest here.

#

let me know if i can clarify anything

#

test case 1 is the "lets break crap" arproach

#

test case 2 is "discovery" i guess xd

#

Test case 1 is best evidence for negated logic that should not be there somewhere in the OS code defaults

#

oh yeah, to clarify

#

i have not changed any default settings or configs

exotic falcon
#

and again, i verified across 4 other users

#

i sent you a friend request btw (if youd like ofc)

exotic falcon
#

if i can help with anything

exotic falcon
#

for anyone reading

#

please dont forget to like my feedback hub report on the bug

#

awareness is step 1.

pliant axle
#

Or the way it functions

exotic falcon
#

I understand.

#

but again, i'm unable to provide "good" technical comment

#

i can try if you'd like though

#

my main intent here is otherwise

#

(see OP)

exotic falcon
exotic falcon
#

thanks again for anyone who's reached out or read any of this post.
i'll head off now, but some closing words for any readers

image.png
#

The image above was made in aproximately 1 minute

#

(Anyone with a computer and internet connection can verify the image above, and everything i am about to write. They are not AI generated, despite how unimaginably absurd the left and right in the image above existing at the same time is)

#

from everything i have seen, the intent of most large companies is apparent.

#

if we sit and do nothing, logically -and philosphically- nothing will in turn happen.

#

awareness is the first step.

#

ill end it with a "meme"

#

though everything ABOVE is verifiable

#

thanks to any readers, and god bless.

pliant axle
# exotic falcon

I suggest maybe do windows insiders since Microsoft typically listens to them more, but I could be wrong

exotic falcon
#

you've already done more than all of microsoft combined

#

so really thank you

pliant axle
exotic falcon
#

do not stop. be curious, and continue

exotic falcon
#

any news on this part?

#

im 100% sure there is a negated boolean in the OS code

#

in regards to that feature

#

as to why they do not fix it? who knows 🙂

#

i don't really care

#

just curious

exotic falcon
#

and to clarify, im 100% sure, because as i've begun to increasingly organize my work space, ive "casualy" used it

#

the more a folder gets used

#

the less likely it will appear as "best-match"

#

IE

#

Microsoft, OBJECTIVELY "believes" that it's users will have a better time working with files they havent touched in years, than ones they use daily.

#

Factual

#

Verifiable (scientifically) by anyone.

#

Why they don't fix it? couldnt care less.

#

I've already proved my point

#

so i'm happy on this issue 🙂

#

-# to anyone working at microsoft, i'm willing to fix it for your company should you be willing to pay a decent price.

#

i think i can fix it in 1 or 2 days alone

#

just reach out (again if you have something of value to me)

#

i understand 10 years, billions of dollars, and 1000s of experts failed

#

but dont worry, i can fix it in a day or 2, just reach out lol... (edit: dont contact me if your offer is not in the millions for obvious reasons)

pliant axle
#

So, You can give this tool a shot if its a win32 issue

image.png
exotic falcon
#

thanks! i solved it.

#

that was fast

#

reach out to me (@any microsoft employees reading)

#

if you respond by end of week, ill discount 10%

exotic falcon
#

sorry, change of plan, 10% deal is off the table.

exotic falcon
#

yeah forget my offer completely

#

have better from competitor companies. (any microsoft employee reading, dont contact me again without double of previous offer)