Windows 11: It’s been six long years since the last major edition of Windows was released, and a lot has changed in the operating system field since then. Microsoft is back with a vengeance to offer a new version of the Windows user experience that’s easy to use, elegantly designed, and well-connected, all in the name of making you more productive in your professional or creative endeavours.
In a world where more and more people are returning to using PCs in their daily lives, Microsoft felt it was critical to release a new operating system designed from the ground up for working from home, while also catering to a new generation of people who have grown up with smartphones and tablets as their primary “computer.”
On all of my PCs, I’ve been using Windows 11 since it first became available in beta in June. I’ve had a great time with it, and I believe it’s the start of a fantastic new age for the operating system. However, given that this is the first version of Windows 11, there is bound to be potential for improvement in several areas. So, with that in mind, let’s get into the specifics.
Windows 11 Availability
Windows 11 is now generally available for qualified Windows 10 PCs as an update. However, Microsoft is taking a controlled and staged approach to the rollout, which means that not everyone will be offered the update right away. When your PC is ready, a large popup will show in Windows Update, allowing you to begin the download and installation procedure, and Windows will handle the rest.
Your PC must meet the following requirements to be eligible for the Windows 11 upgrade:
A compatible CPU.
At least 4GB of RAM
At least 64GB of storage
UEFI, Secure Boot, & TPM 2.0 enabled
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Beginning October 5, Windows 11 will be available on new PCs, including the new Surface Laptop Studio, Surface Pro 8, and Surface Go 3. More devices from other PC manufacturers are slated to begin delivering on October 5th, all with Windows 11 preloaded.
If you’re looking for new PCs that are ready for Windows 11, be sure to check out our list of the top Windows 11 PCs.
What to expect from the new Windows 11
Windows 11 focuses on three important areas: a new and modern user interface designed to make using Windows easier, new features and adjustments aimed at increasing productivity, and a renewed emphasis on the Microsoft Store.
The majority of the top-level user interfaces have been refreshed with new animations, iconography, and noises. Everything from the Start menu and Taskbar to the context menus and in-box apps has been modified to match the rest of the new Windows 11 design.
One of Microsoft’s priorities with Windows 11 has been to simplify and declutter the user experience (UX). Microsoft is attempting to make the Windows UX more user-friendly for casual PC users who are more familiar with modern OS experiences such as iOS and Android, but this comes at the expense of simplifying some common features or behaviors that some old-school Windows die-hards may find difficult to adapt to.
The good news is that Windows 11 will be a fantastic version for individuals who favor simplicity over complication. It’s an amazing joy to use, with an almost perfect fluid UX. Windows 11 is a breath of fresh air for people who like the spectacle of software design, as well as a fantastic release for those who prioritize productivity benefits and “getting to work” above all else.
First thing to do with the new Windows 11
Windows 11 comes with a whole new out-of-the-box experience that guides you through the setup process. The old Cortana-driven installer has been replaced by a clean and simple interface that guides you through the process of installing Windows 11. However, Microsoft has made certain policy changes in this area that you should be aware of.
For the first time, Microsoft requires Windows 11 Home PCs to be signed in with a Microsoft Account and connected to Wi-Fi during the out-of-box experience. This isn’t a big concern to me because I enjoy the connectivity and benefits that come with having a Microsoft Account. However, I am aware that there are many people who refuse to use one, and this will be an issue for them.
Once you’ve installed Windows 11, the first thing you should do is go to the Microsoft Store app and check for updates to ensure you have the most up-to-date versions of all the pre-loaded Windows 11 programs. After that, go to Windows Update in the new Settings app and check for updates to ensure you have the most up-to-date drivers for Windows 11.
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Windows 11 Start menu
Windows 11 adds new interfaces to practically every aspect of the desktop experience, including the Start menu. The start has been a hallmark of the Windows user experience for decades, so when it changes considerably as it did on Windows 11, it’s always a major deal. This isn’t a “Windows 8-level” change, but it will require some getting used to.
The new Start menu has adopted a more straightforward approach to app launchers. The Start menu is no longer home to a fully adjustable layout of app tiles; it’s now a grid of icons that you may pin, unpin, and reorder, and that’s about it. Apps no longer use live tiles, instead of presenting a static app icon with the program’s name beneath it. This is essentially how other modern operating systems operate these days, so it’s no surprise that Windows has joined the race.
The Start menu has three rows of six icons that can be pinned, with the option to scroll through “pages” if you need to pin more programs. There’s also a comprehensive apps list that displays all of your installed apps and can be accessed by clicking the “all apps” icon directly above your pinned apps.
A search bar runs at the top of the Start menu, but it really simply serves as a shortcut to the dedicated search function, which you can reach via the search button on your Taskbar. Search and Start are still separated in Windows 11, which is good but not my preferred method. Because there is no motion involved when switching between the two interfaces, there is a very distinct fragmented sensation when accessing Start and starting to type.
Below your pinned apps is a new “Recommended” section that serves as a recent menu for items such as papers and installed apps. When you install a new app or open an Office document, it will display in this Recommended section for easy access. It’s incredibly useful, however, because there are no filter controls, it rapidly becomes cluttered. That means that any document, whether it’s a photo, a Word document, an Excel spreadsheet, or even a random file in some cases, can appear there.
I’d like to see filter options added in the future. For example, I’d like to be able to specify how long particular file types should appear in the Recommended area as a recent file or to exclude certain file kinds entirely. I rarely, if ever, use Excel, so if I open an Excel file, I already know I won’t need to access it again. It would also be useful to be able to hide Excel file types from the Recommended feed in this instance.
Furthermore, you cannot disable the Recommended area if you know you will not utilize it. Even if you clean it and turn the feature “off,” there will be a large empty space that cannot be compacted or concealed. This makes the entire UX appear a little stupid because you can’t use that extra area to show more pinned apps if you want to.
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Taskbar and Action Center
The new Taskbar, which has essentially been designed from the ground up with simplicity at its core, is a major shift in Windows 11. Microsoft has modified the layout of the Taskbar such that system buttons and pinned or running apps are centered. The Taskbar has always been left-aligned, thus this is a significant change.
This adjustment would have taken me a long time to adjust to, but I was able to do it very immediately. Indeed, I appreciate the new Taskbar layout and, after only a few hours of using Windows 11, I want my icons to be centered. They feel more accessible, and I don’t have to turn my head all the way into the corner of my enormous ultrawide monitor to see them. Things simply appear cleaner, which is a significant improvement for me.
When you click on any of the system icons (Start, Task View, Search, Teams Chat, and Widgets), adorable small animations play. In addition, when you click on your pinned or running apps, tiny pulse animations play. These little animations go a long way toward making Windows 11 feel more fluid, which is a significant improvement over the user experience in Windows 10.
Microsoft has modified the Widgets feature’s entry point as of February 2022. Once configured, the Widgets button will be moved to the far left of the Taskbar, replacing the previous Start button, and will display up-to-date weather information right on the Taskbar. Even if you don’t use the Widgets panel frequently, this is a very useful tool. It’s a lovely touch to be able to see the weather as glanceable information straight on the Taskbar.
There are a few new behaviors for Microsoft Teams users as well. When you’re on a call, you may now show an app window by hovering over an open app icon on the Taskbar, and you can now mute and unmute your microphone from the Taskbar. These functionalities, according to Microsoft, are available to other communication apps as long as developers upgrade their apps to include these extra Taskbar functions.
Microsoft has done everything possible to make the Taskbar UX as simple as possible, to the point where it may be somewhat troublesome for long-time Windows users. You can no longer, for example, set the Taskbar to appear on the left, right, or top of your screen. There are no more Taskbar choices in the right-click menu, as everything has been moved to the new Settings app.
Microsoft has also deleted common functions that I, too, have found difficult to use in my everyday workflow. You could drag a file into an app icon on the taskbar to drop it into that app in previous versions of Windows, but that feature is no longer available in Windows 11. Multitasking becomes very difficult without it. If you use multiple monitors, the Taskbar becomes much worse because information like the date and time no longer appear on your other screens, only the main one.
While I enjoy the new aesthetic of the Taskbar, its functionality has taken a step back with Windows 11. If you’re the type of person who never really touched the Taskbar apart from clicking it to launch apps, you’ll be fine. However, if you’re used to using some of the Taskbar’s more advanced capabilities in Windows 10, such as toolbars, multitasking shortcuts, and so on, you’ll notice that most of those are no longer available in Windows 11.
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Windows 11 Quick settings
In addition, the System Tray has been redesigned in Windows 11 in an effort to simplify it as much as possible. Microsoft has separated the Action Center into two flyouts: one for notifications and one for fast settings. Clicking on the date and time button brings up your calendar view and notifications while clicking on Wi-Fi, Volume, or Battery brings up the new Quick Settings panel.
I particularly appreciate the new Quick Settings panel because it allows you to adjust things like Wi-Fi without having to open the Settings app first. Some of the toggles have additional menus that allow you to modify them immediately within the Quick Settings panel, keeping you in your flow and without interfering with the program you’re now using. However, not all of the toggles, such as Bluetooth, can be adjusted straight from the Quick Settings panel; instead, you must use the main Settings app.
I like how this implementation decreases the number of flyouts that appear directly from the Taskbar. Having all of these options in one panel simplifies the UX and makes it feel less cluttered and complicated, which is the whole idea of Windows 11.
Windows 11 Widgets
“Widgets” is a new feature that Microsoft is attempting to market on Windows 11. It appears as a hidden panel that shoots out above your desktop from the left side of the screen. It has its own button on the Taskbar, or you can reach it by swiping it from the left edge of your screen. The panel is divided into two sections: a widgets area at the top with a variety of customizable widgets to select from, and your Microsoft Start news feed below it.
Microsoft has upgraded this functionality with a new access point in the Taskbar as of February 2022. As previously stated, it is now accessible via a “weather” button located in the far left of the Taskbar, where the Start button once was. This button displays the current weather conditions, and selecting it opens the full Widgets panel, allowing you to view all of the Widgets that are available to you.
I haven’t found the Widgets panel to be particularly useful in my day-to-day process. The concept is that the Widget panel is always available for quick access to information, but I frequently forget it exists, partly because I have little need for most of the widgets, and partly because the panel itself frequently has to reload after being closed for a few hours.
Here’s a full list of the available widgets in this first release of Windows 11:
Weather
Photos
To Do
Calendar
Sports
Family
Safety
Watchlist (Stocks)
Tips
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The Weather widget is the most useful of all the widgets available. The Photos widget is excellent, but it doesn’t entice me to access the widgets panel in the first place. I’m also not a fan of the widgets panel’s tendency to force you into Microsoft Edge at any given moment.
When you click on a widget or a news story, it does not open that material in the widget panel. Instead, it dismisses the widget panel and launches Microsoft Edge. This causes the UX to appear disjointed and abrupt, as it moves you from one UI to another only to show you an expanded weather display. Worse, you can’t even set the widgets panel to open in another browser; it’s only Edge and that’s it. Microsoft made a terrible decision here.
Overall, I dislike Widgets on Windows 11. This is one of those things I imagine you’ll look at for five minutes and then abandon. The inclusion of a weather button to the far left of the Taskbar is a lovely touch, but it won’t make me use the Widgets panel any less. The weather widget on the Taskbar is all I need, and I won’t need to use it unless the Widgets feature as a whole improves.
Snap Assist and Task View
Microsoft has put a lot of effort into the multitasking and productivity aspects of Windows 11, which have seen a number of nice enhancements that almost make upgrading to Windows 11 worthwhile on their own. We’ll start with Snap Assist enhancements, which expand on the basic Aero Snap feature introduced with Windows 7.
In addition to dragging an app to the left or right side of your screen to snap it side by side, you can also hover your mouse over the maximize button to view a drop-down menu of all the other snap layouts available to you. This makes it extremely simple to snap two or more apps without having to move your mouse to the very edge of your display, which is especially useful if you’re using a huge display, such as an ultrawide.
In addition to new snap layouts that take advantage of larger screens, Microsoft has included new snap layouts that take advantage of larger displays. New snapping grids for three apps in a row are now available, making much better use of the extra screen real estate. All of the flowing animations included here make utilizing Snap Assist on Windows 11 a breeze. This entire UX feels fantastic, and I believe it is one of Windows 11’s standout features.
Snap Assist for tablet users now intelligently snaps apps above and below while using a device in portrait mode, a feature that was lacking in previous versions of Windows. Microsoft has also improved the switching orientation animation, making it much more seamless and remembering where your apps were when transitioning between landscape and portrait mode.
There have also been some significant adjustments and enhancements to the Task View UI, which is where many people go to see an overview of all their active programs. Microsoft has deleted the previous Timeline feature from Windows 11, instead prioritizing your open programs and Virtual Desktops, which now appear along the bottom of your screen. Virtual Desktops are now considerably more customizable, with features like renaming and even selecting different wallpapers for each desktop.
You can also reorganize your desktops by clicking and dragging, and they will even persist through reboots, allowing you to configure your PC so that each of your workflows has its own virtual desktop. For instance, I have one for business and another for gaming. However, I believe there is still potential for growth here. I’d like to be able to configure pinned apps in the Taskbar and in Start for each virtual desktop separately. That is not currently possible.
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The Touch and Pen
Microsoft has made numerous significant enhancements to the touch-first experience in Windows 11, as well as one noticeable setback. Overall, I’d say Windows 11 is a far better experience when used on tablets and with a pen, but it comes at the expense of a dedicated “tablet mode” that launches apps full screen, as you’d expect on an 11-inch tablet.
The tablet mode in Windows 10 has been removed, and in its place are a number of enhancements to the desktop UX aimed to make using Windows with a touch a more pleasurable experience. I still wouldn’t advocate a Windows tablet, but Windows on a 2-in-1 is now in a much better position. Microsoft, for example, has included additional gestures that can be initiated with three or four fingers swipes.
Three or four-finger swipe down to minimize an app
Three or four-finger swipe left or right to switch apps
Three or four-finger swipe up to access Task View
Four finger tap, hold, and swipe left or right to switch virtual desktops
Window management has also been improved, with new subtle animations in place to make it simpler to detect when you’ve successfully grasped an app window with your finger to operate it. Microsoft has also increased the size of the hitboxes around app windows, making them easier to resize with touch. Windows will also increase the spacing between touch targets on the Taskbar and add a touch keyboard button to the System Tray.
On that note, Windows 11 has a new touch keyboard experience, which I believe is the star of the show for tablet users. It’s a superb touch keyboard with pleasing sounds, subtle animations, and perfect spelling correction due to SwiftKey powering it behind the scenes.
It comes in a variety of sizes, including split view, one-handed mode, a basic full-width layout, and a more advanced full-width layout for larger display devices. You may also swipe type, and a new emoji panel along the top allows you to quickly enter your favorite emojis, gifs, and other media content.
There’s also enough to appreciate for those who prefer to write with a pen. Microsoft has finally upgraded the Windows Ink Workspace, now known as the “Pen menu,” which provides rapid access to pinned programs intended for inking. What’s amazing is that it’s finally customizable, so you can install whatever program you want. In mine, I have OneNote, Paint, and Adobe Photoshop. It’s accessible through a button shortcut on a physical pen, or through the System Tray as a shortcut that appears when you start interacting with your device using a pen.
You can also link directly into text fields, which is another useful feature if you use your smartphone primarily with a pen. You no longer need to move between inking and tapping on the screen to insert text into a search field, because Windows will now instantly open a handwriting panel when you tap on that text field with a pen.
Many of these enhancements are quite pleasant and bring the Windows touch UX closer in line with other recent touch-first operating systems, but it is still far from flawless. The inability to have apps open full screen is a deal-breaker for tablet UX, especially on tiny devices like the Surface Go. It’s inconvenient to have to manually full-screen every app the first time you launch it.
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Windows 11 Teams Chat
Windows 11 includes a new chat feature that connects directly to the consumer-facing version of Microsoft Teams. Yes, Microsoft offers a version of Teams that it intends for you to use outside of work with your friends and family. This chat service is still in its early stages, which is why Microsoft is including it in Windows 11 in an effort to jumpstart the network and get users speaking.
Unfortunately, its integration with Windows 11 feels a little sloppy. The Taskbar flyout feels natural enough, but chat windows open in their own window in the corner of your screen, not where the chat flyout is. This also adds a second Teams app icon to your Taskbar, so I now have two Teams icons on my Taskbar for the same service. The actual chat button on the Taskbar is plainly merely a launcher for talks within the Microsoft Teams program, which is not my preferred design.
If it were up to me, I’d have those chats pop up within the Teams Chat flyout on the Taskbar so I don’t have to mouse around my entire display looking for the chat window that just appeared. The good news is that this new Microsoft Teams client is significantly lighter than the one you use at work. The bad news is that this only works with Microsoft Teams for consumers, so you won’t be able to utilize it for your Teams work chat.
The chatting and audio call capabilities is straightforward. It functions as expected and is cross-platform compatible with Windows, iOS, Android, and Mac, provided you have the Teams app installed and are logged in with a consumer account. However, this Teams Chat integration, in general, feels like a waste of time; why isn’t this just Skype?
Skype has recently launched a slew of new features, solidifying its position as Microsoft’s primary consumer chat and video conferencing service. So, why is there even a Microsoft Teams for consumers? I’d much rather see this Chat integration in Windows 11 for Skype. Hopefully, they will give us the ability to adjust it later on.
Aside from that, I didn’t like how Windows automatically configured Teams to start in the background without asking me beforehand. Simply clicking on the Teams Chat icon will launch the full client and add it to your auto-start list. Thank you very much.
Microsoft Store for Windows 11
I believe it’s fair to say that the Microsoft Store on Windows 10 has been a letdown, given that it lacks many apps that people actually use on their PCs. This was due to Microsoft’s severe criteria about the kind of apps that developers could submit to the Store, which effectively filtered out many of the most popular programs on the Windows platform.
That everything changes with Windows 11. Microsoft is now allowing developers to submit the majority of Windows programs to the shop. Microsoft wants the Microsoft Store to be a place where people can find the finest Windows software of all kinds. This contains applications such as Visual Studio 2019, Adobe Creative Cloud, and many others.
Simply said, Microsoft has made it so that if a program you use isn’t in the Microsoft Store, it’s because the developer is too lazy to submit it for inclusion. They no longer need to do any development effort to make their program “store-compliant,” as nearly all Windows apps can now be posted.
Because the new Store is still in its early stages, not all of the apps you’d expect to find are available. However, Microsoft is sure that many more app developers will be in the Store very soon, which is fantastic. It’s convenient to be able to find all of your apps in one location, and it’s even more convenient to discover new apps you’d never thought of using even better.
Android Apps on Windows 11
Microsoft began bringing out Android app functionality on Windows 11 in February 2022, albeit in “preview” mode and exclusively in the United States. Android apps on Windows 11 are an intriguing concept, made much more so by Microsoft’s decision to provide Android apps to consumers. Rather than allowing app developers to submit Android apps to the Microsoft Store, Microsoft has collaborated with Amazon to bring the “Amazon Appstore” on Windows 11.
That, to be honest, stinks. Despite the fact that the Amazon Appstore has no apps, it is now the default storefront for Android apps on Windows 11. The Microsoft Store will list Android apps, but in order to install them, you must first download and install the Amazon Appstore. It’s a travesty, and it leads to a disconnected user experience.
During my time utilizing Android apps on Windows 11, I’ve discovered one or two apps that folks might wish to use. The Kindle stands out because it’s the only acceptable Kindle reading experience available right now, but everything else is either a bad mobile game or something you can do on Windows without needing an Android app.
All of the Android apps I’d like to use, such as managing my smart lights and appliances, checking my bank statements, and unlocking my car, aren’t available on the Amazon Appstore. It’s worth noting that you can sideload Android apps, which will bypass the Amazon Appstore and allow you to install pretty much any Android app you want, but this isn’t a simple job, and I don’t anticipate most people to do it.
Regardless of the app situation, Android app emulation works very effectively. I tested a few games and apps, and they all work as if they were native to my device, without the need for Android to run in the background. When you run your first Android app, it takes roughly 5-10 seconds to load, but after that, subsequent Android apps launch almost instantaneously.
However, the ability to run Android apps does necessitate a certain amount of power behind the hood. Because of the high overhead required, these apps will not be able to run on every PC. Microsoft recommends at least 8GB RAM but believes 16GB RAM will provide a better experience, which I agree with. The Android subsystem is resource-intensive, frequently consuming 2GB or more of RAM, and even more, if you have numerous Android apps open at the same time.
In general, I don’t believe I am the target demographic for Android apps on Windows 11. It’s fantastic that it’s available as an option, and it works pretty well for what it is, but I really wish Microsoft had gone it alone and allowed developers to submit their Android apps directly to the Microsoft Store, rather than relying on the Amazon Appstore.
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Windows 11 Review Context Menu
There’s also a new, streamlined context menu design that relegates all of the former legacy context menu options to a secondary menu for individuals who may still require them. If you use tools that place their settings in that secondary menu, such as 7-Zip, this can get rather bothersome.
Developers can update their programs to include their options in the new contemporary context menu, but I haven’t found any third-party apps that have done so yet. Hopefully, we’ll see that over time. For the time being, needing to navigate to a secondary menu is a small annoyance.
The new context menus look nice, but they can be difficult to get used to. Microsoft has chosen to employ both the X and Y axes for various possibilities. The most popular activities, such as copying, pasting, cutting, and deleting, are represented by icons that run horizontally across the top of the menu. Then, in a vertical list, all of the other possibilities are given. This is quite perplexing at first, and it’s the one thing I’ve struggled to adjust to.
I also wanted to emphasize that Windows 11 does nothing to address the unfinished dark mode look that Windows has had for several years, which is most noticeable in File Explorer. When the dark mode is activated, things like the copy, run, and file property windows remain glaringly white, making the overall UX feel unfinished. This isn’t an issue if you utilize light mode, and everything feels a lot more coherent.
File Explorer on Windows 11
The Windows File Explorer hasn’t seen a major UI upgrade since the release of Windows 8, so it’s encouraging that Microsoft has finally opted to modernize it for Windows 11. Microsoft has given File Explorer a clean and simple navigation header while keeping all of the old File Explorer functions that you’d expect to find on Windows.
Instead of a jumble of buttons, the top of the UI now has a simple and well-spaced selection of File Explorer’s most common functions. This features buttons for creating new files and folders, as well as copying, pasting, renaming, sharing, and deleting files.
When it comes to File Explorer, it’s safe to say that Microsoft took the whole “making Windows easier” thing to heart. Having said that, all of the classic File Explorer functionalities are still available if you require them. In this sense, Microsoft has not withdrawn any feature. It’s simply tidied up the top-level UI to make it easier for normal users to utilize.
Windows 11 Apps
Many of Windows 11’s in-box programs have been upgraded with new designs and, in some cases, additional functionalities. Photos and Microsoft Paint have been upgraded with new styles that keep them consistent with the rest of the new Windows 11 design, including rounded corners around buttons and blur effects in context menus and headers.
There’s also the new Notepad, which has been redesigned to match the rest of Windows 11 with a brand new modern style. The new Notepad is fantastic. It’s clean and modern, and, like Microsoft Paint, it performs identically to the previous version. Many developers and dark theme users will be pleased with the addition of a dark mode to Notepad.
The Alarms & Clock app has been upgraded with a new “focus sessions” feature that connects with Microsoft To Do and Spotify to give a one-stop-shop for workflow setup and task completion. You can set a 30-minute timer, choose a soundtrack, and sync with Microsoft To do to check off all of your things as you go. It’s an interesting concept, but it’s not something I’ve used.
Microsoft Edge will also receive an upgrade to reflect the new Windows 11 look, though this will be available shortly after the launch. The new design incorporates the same blur effect in the header and modernizes the context menus using the same design language as File Explorer.
Finally, the Groove Music app has been renamed and updated with additional features. It’s currently known as Media Player and serves as both a music and video player. It will play local video and audio files, just like the old Windows Media Player software. Previously, “Groove Music” was only for audio files, with local video files routed to the Movies & TV app. The Movies & TV app is still available, however, it currently only supports streamed DRM material from the Microsoft Store.
Microsoft Office is also getting a new design to better coincide with Windows 11, though to a much lesser extent than other apps. Although Office has its own design language, it’s wonderful to see the new Office app adhere to Windows 11’s softened corners.
It’s great to see Microsoft’s product teams working together to release updates that align their programs with the new Windows 11 appearance and feel. This was one of the issues with Windows 10, where separate teams at Microsoft would just do their own thing, regardless of whether it fit well with the rest of Windows. That does not appear to be the situation with Windows 11.
More of Microsoft’s in-box apps are expected to be updated with new designs and functionality over time and will be available as updates on Windows 11 via the Microsoft Store when they are ready.
Windows 11 Settings
On Windows 11, there is a slew of new settings and options to sift through, beginning with a fresh new Settings app. The previous, rather confusing Windows 10 Options app has been replaced by a lot prettier and better-organized Settings app that does a better job of categorizing the most popular settings that people actually use the Settings program for.
Microsoft has now incorporated detailed battery statistics into the Settings app for you to break down, as one of the new settings. You’ll get an informative graph that shows power usage over 24 hours or 7 days, and you’ll be able to see which apps are using the most power at any particular time of day. It’s a fantastic little function that Windows has lacked for many years.
The Personalization category now prioritizes your themes for simple switching, and top-level user interfaces, such as the Taskbar, Start menu, and Lock screen, are now accessible via their regions, such as the Taskbar, Start menu, and Lock screen.
The Bluetooth and devices section has also been updated, with linked devices now displayed at the top of the page, with quick access to device info, settings, pairing a new device, and much more. You also have access to Touchpad controls, Pen settings, and even Your Phone setup.
Interestingly, Microsoft has also introduced a function that allows you to completely personalize the movements you can execute on the Touchpad, which I’ve enjoyed. You can program your Trackpad to do things like enlarge an app window with a three-finger swipe up or snap an app in snap assist with a four-finger slide to the left. It’s extremely cool, and the variety of settings allows it to accommodate practically anyone’s workflow.
However, the new Settings app isn’t without flaws. Microsoft has made it extremely difficult to configure your browser settings, requiring you to manually set each web-related file type with your preferred browser. It can no longer be done with a single click unless you try to switch to Edge, which feels very anti-competitive.
Microsoft tries to pass off this change as “consumer-friendly,” because it theoretically allows the user endless alternatives in how your browser of choice responds to defaults, but that’s a rather poor justification. For almost everyone, the earlier method of setting browser defaults was more convenient.
Windows 11 Miscellaneous
There are a few new features in Windows 11 that I haven’t had time to look at for this review, but I wanted to mention them. First and foremost, Windows 11 improves Windows on ARM-powered PCs, notably the ability to finally run 64-bit Intel programs. This opens the door for most apps to be usable on Windows on ARM, albeit performance will vary depending on the ARM processor used.
Microsoft has also launched ARM64EC, a new application binary interface that boosts app performance to native levels while remaining interoperable with x64 programs. Essentially, this enables developers to code parts of their app for ARM, enhancing performance while simulating the rest. This is beneficial for developers who are unable to entirely recompile their app for ARM natively.
Another new feature in Windows 11 is support for graphical interfaces powered by the Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 (WSL2), which will be an excellent tool for developers who frequently switch between Windows and Linux apps.
There’s also lots of security and performance improvements, and there’s even new features for gamers including support for DirectStorage, DirectX12 Ultimate, and more.
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Decision
Windows 11 is a “version 1.0” product, which means it’s still in its early stages, and although there’s a lot of excellent stuff here, there’s also a lot missing (particularly around the Taskbar) that long-time Windows users may struggle with. Microsoft has succeeded in its goal of simplifying the top-level Windows UX, but at the expense of functionality that many people deem critical to their workflows.
If you’ve read this review and don’t consider any of the issues highlighted to be a deal-breaker, I believe Windows 11 will be a perfect fit for you. In my experience, it is not slow, unreliable, or buggy. It appears to be ready for production use, and I’ve thoroughly liked using it. I’ll never return to Windows 10.
However, if you generally have your Taskbar at the top of your screen, or if you don’t like the sound of having to click a few additional times to reach a function that was previously available with a single click, Windows 11 is not for you right now. Windows 11 stresses simplicity, even if it means burying functionality behind menus or within the Settings app.
Conclusion
Windows 11 is my favorite operating system. It’s a breath of fresh air for Windows, attempting to replace much of the previous UX with a more modern, fluid, and simple UI. Though not ideal, I believe it does a good job of attaining this goal. Power users and long-time Windows users may need to relearn some routines and adjust to some missing capabilities.
I’m sure Microsoft will restore some of the missing capabilities and behaviors in future releases, but I doubt it will restore all of them. I have a hunch that the future vision for Windows 11 will be one of simplicity and ease of use, appealing more to the typical user who is more comfortable with how things are done on their phone and less to the die-hard Windows power users who want everything to be accessible in a single click.
If you don’t mind that, Windows 11 is fantastic. If you aren’t, sticking with Windows 10 for another year is your best bet. Because Windows 10 is supported until 2025, there is no need to upgrade right away. In a year, or maybe two years, Windows 11 will be much more “complete,” at which point it may be worthwhile to give it another shot.
Windows 11 has the potential to be the best version of Windows ever, but Microsoft’s decisions regarding Teams Chat, Widgets, setting browser settings, the insufficient dark mode, and taskbar functionality prevent it from being that. Hopefully, the next version of Windows 11 will address these difficulties.
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