Look, I’m a microwave fan, but it’s not always the hero we need. If you’re making a no-bake cheesecake or a delicate frosting that requires unctuous smoothness, microwave softening is risky. The structure of the cheese changes slightly with heat, and some recipes are brutally unforgiving. In those cases, stick to the old-school method: leave it on the counter for an hour and go fold laundry or something.
Also, if your cream cheese is super cold from the freezer? Don’t do it. Thaw it in the fridge first, then try the microwave. Otherwise, you’re basically making a science experiment that tastes like freezer burn and despair. You’ve been warned.