Sandboxed installation would encourage app usage a lot, so I second the idea. Here are some others a) Microsoft seems to be the only one selling dev tools at this point. Releasing free versions of visual studio for developers would be great. b) Have something like synaptic/ports which allows developers / users to easily install apps / libraries with dependency resolution. c) Rethink their backward compatibility model. There is a business line of business that requires backward compatibility back to 1990, and theres a consumer line that doesnt care much about it. Right now the business line and the consumer line both hold each other back. eg business user - why do i need a graphics card to fully use new windows versions. d) Leverage integration between the OS and their online services. I think they can do this safely now without fear of antitrust issues now given google and apples sizes