For anyone, like me, that has bought a Windows PC in the last year, you will be unsurprised to hear that Microsoft is making updates to its infuriating Windows 8 OS after criticism from unhappy customers.

The absence of its familiar start button, a host of default programs for viewing PDFs and photos that just dont make sense, and apps that sweep in and out of your desktop screen, have all infuriated the Windows faithful.

Microsoft says it has already sold 100m licenses for its latest piece of software, but given that it has made few gains in the tablet market, thats a whole host of pissed-off laptop users grappling with an OS made for touch. This is presumably why Tammy Reller, head of marketing and finance for the Windows business, has announced the change of direction, admitting that the software had defeated many users.

“The learning curve is definitely real and we need to address it,” she said. Microsoft Blue, an update to Windows 8 which is something of a U-turn for the OSs previous direction, will be rolled out by the end of the year. Reller added: “We’ve considered a lot of different scenarios to help traditional PC users move forward as well as making usability that much better on all devices.”

In spite of this news, and speaking exclusively to Mobile Marketing, when asked for more information on the future of its tablet and PC businesses, a Microsoft spokesperson was very positive. They pointed to the 100m licences sold, which they said includes new PCs and tablet, and said the product continues to show promise for the future.

“We are encouraged by evolution in the market that will help accelerate adoption as well. From the outset, we knew that Windows 8 was a reimagining of every aspect of Windows. We made these changes to take the Windows business – and the 1.3 bn people around the world who depend on Windows every day for work and play – into the future.”

Good reaction to new PCs and tablets

“While we realise that change takes time, we feel good about the progress since launch, including what we’ve been able to accomplish with the ecosystem and customer reaction to the new PCs and tablets that are available now or will soon come to market.”

Speaking of the move it sees from tablets and PCs to hybrid models like the Microsoft Surface, the spokesperson said: “The PC is very much alive and increasingly mobile. The PC is also part of a much broader device market of tablets and PCs. Windows 8 was built to fully participate in this broader and increasingly mobile device market.” Microsoft said in its recent earnings call that cheaper and smaller 7″ and 8″ tablets are on the horizon.

Windows 8 was initially billed as the first truly screen agnostic OS. We asked how this idea was working out at Microsoft: “In terms of the screen agnostic approach, Windows 8 and Windows Phone both utilise the same familiar UI, and with Windows Phone 8, are now built on the same shared core set of technologies, which means that developers will be able to leverage much of their work writing applications and games for one to deliver experiences for the other.

“Microsoft’s vision for the future of Windows Phone is to deliver an unparalleled opportunity through consistency in design and implementation across the products that consumers rely on.”

Gates: Windows 8 is revolutionary

Bill Gates, former chief executive and current chairman, likewise, must not have been on the receiving end of the frustration that has led to the Windows Blue update. And cant be working off one of the PCs running the current version.

In an interview with CNBC on Monday, he called Windows 8 a “revolutionary” product that “takes the benefits of a tablet, benefits of a PC and its able to support both of those”.

Indicating too his support for the company’s hybrid tablet models, rather than the PCs that have been causing complaint, he said: “Its going to be harder and harder to distinguish between products, whether theyre tablets or PCs. With Windows 8, Microsoft is trying to gain market share in what has been dominated by the iPad-type device.

“But a lot of those users are frustrated. They cant type. They cant create documents. You dont have Office there,” he added. “So were providing them something with the benefits theyve seen that has made that a big category but without giving up what they expect in a PC.”

Those complaints all sounds rather familiar…

Now investors and former Microsoft employees have now called for a change at the top, namely the head of CEO Steve Ballmer. Joachim Kempin, who helped to build the Windows business, told the BBC that the Surface tablets are “okay” but said nothing distinguishes them and they have alienated manufacturing partnerss, many of whom have defected to Android.

But, despite all of the criticism, the company still makes $80bn per year from its PC business and its revenues have nearly tripled from $25.3bn (£16.6bn) in 2001 to $74.3bn in 2012 under Ballmers leadership.

Commenting on the developments, Stephen Upstone, the new chair of the MMA and CEO of Loopme, said:

“Microsoft has created a strong UX and portfolios of mobile devices on Windows Mobile 8. The challenge to grow mobile market share is mainly connected to mobile distribution via new handsets and their consumer adoption in addition to the cross platform promise. Microsoft is making good progress here and from a Mobile Marketing Association point of view we remain excited at the prospects of the platform and its ability to connect with consumers worldwide.