Windows design chief Diego Baca acknowledges users expect more from the operating system, as Microsoft turns to AI to accelerate interface improvements and code fixes.
Microsoft has acknowledged that Windows 11 still has significant design inconsistencies, with its vice president of product design, Diego Baca, confirming that AI is helping the team work faster and contribute directly to code fixes.
The comments offer a glimpse into Microsoft’s efforts to modernize Windows 11, an operating system that has faced years of criticism over its inconsistent interface, legacy design elements, and the slow pace of visual improvements.
Baca’s message was notably candid: Microsoft knows users expect more from Windows, and the company expects more from itself, too.
AI is helping Microsoft’s designers move faster
Baca made the remarks on X while responding to a discussion about using AI agents to address problems across Windows 11.
He expressed strong support for the idea, explaining that AI had already helped the design team accelerate its work significantly.
He also revealed that designers are now contributing directly to code fixes intended to improve Windows’ visual polish, consistency, and overall quality.
The statement suggests that Microsoft’s use of AI extends beyond generating design concepts. It is also helping some designers participate in fixing the software itself.
However, Baca did not explain how frequently designers contribute code, what kinds of changes they make, or how those changes are reviewed before release.
Windows 11 still has a consistency problem
One of the biggest issues Baca acknowledged is something Windows users have complained about for years: the operating system lacks a consistently modern design.
Although Windows 11 introduced a refreshed interface, parts of the system still feel as though they belong to older versions of Windows. Legacy menus, dialog boxes, and interface elements can look noticeably different from the operating system’s newer components.
Microsoft has made progress, including efforts to modernize Windows Search, Run, and other legacy interfaces using WinUI 3.
Nevertheless, the continued presence of older design elements can make Windows 11 feel unfinished, despite being several years into its life cycle.
For users who expected a more cohesive experience at launch, the slow pace of these changes remains frustrating.
Microsoft says it understands the criticism
Baca also directly acknowledged the expectations of Windows users, saying:
“Finally, I completely recognize that people expect more from Windows. We expect more from ourselves, too.”
He added that Microsoft wants to earn back users’ enthusiasm through what it delivers, rather than what it says.
That is an important distinction. Promising a better Windows experience is one thing; consistently delivering improvements that users can see and appreciate is another.
The comments suggest Microsoft recognizes that rebuilding confidence will require more than announcements about new features or AI initiatives.
Can AI help fix Windows 11 faster?
AI could help Microsoft tackle interface inconsistencies more quickly by assisting designers with code changes and repetitive development tasks.
In principle, that could make it easier to modernize older parts of Windows without requiring every small adjustment to move through a lengthy development process.
But speed alone will not solve Windows 11’s problems. Any AI-assisted changes still need proper engineering review, testing, and quality assurance.
The key question is whether Microsoft can turn the productivity gains Baca describes into meaningful improvements without introducing new bugs or reliability problems.
His comments do not establish that AI is responsible for Windows 11’s existing issues, nor do they reveal how extensively the technology is being used in the development process.
The real test is what Microsoft delivers next
Microsoft’s acknowledgement of Windows 11’s design shortcomings is encouraging, particularly for users who have been asking for a more consistent interface for years.
AI may provide a way to accelerate that work, but it is not a substitute for careful design decisions and reliable software development.
Ultimately, users will judge Microsoft by whether older interface elements are modernized, inconsistencies disappear, and Windows becomes more dependable to use.
The bottom line: Microsoft’s design chief has acknowledged that Windows 11 needs improvement and says AI is helping the team make progress. That is a promising sign, but users will need to see tangible results before deciding whether the company’s renewed commitment will make a difference.
