Microsoft has recently introduced a new feature that requires users to explain why they want to close the OneDrive for Windows app. This change was spotted by Neowin, and it has garnered mixed reactions from users. The latest update to OneDrive now includes a dialog box that prompts users to select a reason for closing the app every time they attempt to do so from the taskbar.
Previously, closing OneDrive was already a less-than-straightforward process, buried under a “pause syncing” option when right-clicking on OneDrive in the taskbar. However, with the latest update, the quit option is grayed out until users select a reason from a drop-down box. The available options include various reasons, but notably absent is a “go away and let me close the damn application” option, much to the frustration of users who simply want to exit the app without needing to provide an explanation.
This move by Microsoft is in line with its efforts to integrate OneDrive with Windows, positioning it as the default option for syncing files to Microsoft’s cloud-powered storage. OneDrive has gradually taken over the Documents and Pictures libraries in Windows 11, among other features. Additionally, prompts throughout Windows encourage users to set up OneDrive, including one that appears when changing the Windows desktop wallpaper.
This new behavior by Microsoft is reminiscent of the company’s approach with its Edge browser, where prompts would appear if users tried to download alternative browsers such as Chrome. Microsoft even went as far as injecting a poll into the download page of Chrome, asking users why they were downloading an alternative browser. Now, with OneDrive, the company seems to be following a similar pattern of seeking user engagement and feedback at various touchpoints.
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As a result, users may feel that their autonomy and control over their computing experience are being compromised. The annoyance of having to justify closing an application has led to concerns about further intrusions by Microsoft into other areas of the operating system. Jokes about Microsoft injecting a poll at shutdown demanding to know why a user is turning off their PC for the day reflect the frustration among some users.
For those who are unhappy with this latest change, a work-around is to open Task Manager, search for Microsoft OneDrive, and end the task manually. While this may solve the immediate problem, it does not address the underlying issue of Microsoft’s overreach in its attempts to gather user data and feedback at every opportunity.
In conclusion, the latest update to Microsoft OneDrive for Windows has raised concerns among users due to a new prompt that requires users to explain why they want to close the app. This move, along with previous similar initiatives by Microsoft, has sparked conversations about user autonomy and control in the Windows operating system. Users remain divided on this issue, with some expressing frustration at the intrusion into their user experience, while others see it as a part of Microsoft’s broader strategy to improve its products through user engagement.
