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Michał Kiciński has little love for Windows, and as Linux gains momentum, the DRM-free GOG is quietly starting to take notice.
Another day, and another person exhausted with Windows. This time, it is GOG’s new owner, Michał Kiciński, who recently took control of the storefront after its split from CD Projekt Red.
Kiciński was one of the original founders of CD Projekt Red and now owns GOG outright. Like many PC gamers, he has grown frustrated with Windows, and while I still use the OS for the same reason, it is hard to disagree with much of what he says here.
What Kiciński actually said about Windows
Mustafa Suleyman, CEO of Microsoft AI, speaks on Copilot.
(Image credit: Getty Images | Bloomberg)
In the interview with PC Gamer, Kiciński directly described Windows as poor quality software, stating: "I'm really surprised at Windows. It's such poor-quality software and product, and I'm so surprised that it's [spent] so many years on the market. I can't believe it!"
A few years ago, I would have disagreed. Lately, with AI being stuffed into every possible corner and Copilot even being potentially baked into File Explorer, it is hard not to see where he is coming from.
So I'm not surprised that people gravitate outside of the Windows ecosystem. It's not the best ecosystem.
Michał Kiciński — GOG.com CEO
That was not all, however. Kiciński also said he no longer uses Windows himself and has switched to macOS instead. That suggests the frustrations were serious enough to push him to another operating system, something we are also seeing more users do with Linux.
Perhaps even more awkward for Windows is that Kiciński now only interacts with it when helping family members. As he put it: "I sometimes have to fix my mum's computer or my father's computer with Windows, [and] like, it's unbelievable…" I am also the tech person in my family, so I get asked to fix PCs a lot, which can add to the frustration.
Windows fatigue is creating an opening for Linux
Linux via Zorin OS shown on various laptops and PCs.
(Image credit: Zorin | Edited with Gemini)
These comments also tap into a much wider frustration across PC gaming right now. PC Gamer's piece links Kiciński’s remarks to growing anger over Windows pushing AI features, constant upselling, and services that many users never asked for, all of which have become part of the backlash against Microsoft, or as some are now calling it, Microslop.
That context also helps explain why Linux is suddenly more relevant to GOG. It was Gołębiewski who said Linux is something it is now looking at, even if it has not hard committed to anything yet.
By calling out Windows so openly, Kiciński is effectively acknowledging that many players are looking for alternatives, which makes platforms like Linux more important for any PC storefront that wants to stay competitive.
What makes this stand out is just how blunt he was. It is not every day that the owner of a major PC game store openly criticises Windows in such direct terms, which is why these comments have drawn so much attention.
Do you agree with GOG’s new owner about Windows, and would better Linux support make you more likely to use the platform? Share your thoughts in the comments below:
Hope you enjoyed this news post. Feedback welcome.
Posted Thursday 15 January 2026 at 5:19 am AEST (my time).
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