Windows 11 a Flop, Survey Claims Less Than 1% Upgraded, Microsoft Improves Start Menu

[Chrispy_]

Has anything actually moved? It feels like all the old settings are still in place, the new UI only duplicates some of the old ones and adds some that didn't exist before.

I think the layout of the settings menu has changed, possibly beacuse of the extra white space and padding they insist on polluting the interface with, meaning the links to the control panel parts that aren't yet in the settings app are now not shown until you scroll down or maximise the settings window.

I've also noticed that searching the start menu for control panel functions doesn't give results any more, it pushes you only at settings. They are trying to push people towards the settings app but we don't use the control panel by choice, we use it because we have to - Microsoft haven't finished making the alternative after a decade of seemingly pissing into the wind.

 

[lexluthermiester]

I wouldn't mind one, thank you.

This will run you through it. Very simple actually. (Sorry I didn't get back to you right away, had a busy day.)

For those who missed Bug's request, this video shows how to bypass the microsoft account creation and setup Windows 11 Home with a local account.

If you can't play the video, follow the direction below;
When you reach the Network connection screen, Hold down the "Shift" key and press "F10".
This will bring up a command prompt.
Type in "taskmgr" and press enter.
The Task Manager will open. Click on "More Details" at the bottom and scroll down until you find the "Network Connection Flow" entry.
Right click that entry and click "End Task". Close the Task Manager and command prompt windows and you will be on the user creation screen.
This will create a local user account and bypass the microsoft account creation step.

Tada!

 

[Chrispy_]

Simple:

Windows 10X

Windows 10X (codenamed Santorini) was an edition of Windows 10 that had been in development by Microsoft as part of the Windows NT family. It was announced on October 2, 2019 as an operating system to support dual-screen devices, such as the Surface Neo.[1] Windows 10X was originally expected to...

microsoft.fandom.com

11 is a rebranded 10X. This is what you get when port interface designed for tablets to use for desktop environment.

So if 11 is the tablet interface, we can ignore it on laptops and desktops until Microsoft unf*ck the UI and make one for people using a keyboard and mouse.

 

[cst1992]

I seem to recall that Windows 10 was going to be the "last operating system"; or in other words, all we were going to see from here on out were OS updates.

But a company has to keep making money, right?

Makes me wonder how long we have till Windows 50.

 

[windwhirl]

I seem to recall that Windows 10 was going to be the "last operating system"; or in other words, all we were going to see from here on out were OS updates.

But a company has to keep making money, right?

Makes me wonder how long we have till Windows 50.

The marketing guys are gonna have their work cut out for them

 

[bug]

I seem to recall that Windows 10 was going to be the "last operating system"; or in other words, all we were going to see from here on out were OS updates.

But a company has to keep making money, right?

Makes me wonder how long we have till Windows 50.

Did you ever honestly believe that?

 

[Chrispy_]

I seem to recall that Windows 10 was going to be the "last operating system"; or in other words, all we were going to see from here on out were OS updates.

But a company has to keep making money, right?

Makes me wonder how long we have till Windows 50.

Windows 50? That implies Microsoft stick to numbered versions

• 1.x
• 2.x
• 3.x
• WFW 3.11
• NT 3.x
• 95
• 98
• SE (what happened to 99?)
• 2000
• Me (because NT became 2000 instead of the sequel to '99)
• XP
• Vista (¿qué significa eso?)
• 7
• 8
• 8.1 (it's like 9, but wrong, just like the OS itself by this point)
• 10 (1507 to 2004)
• 10-(20H2-21H2)
• 10X 11-21H2

For all we know, Windows 50 is next, or will in fact never arrive as Microsoft change to copying Google and start using sugary treats starting with different letters of the alphabet.

 

[lexluthermiester]

So if 11 is the tablet interface, we can ignore it on laptops and desktops until Microsoft unf*ck the UI and make one for people using a keyboard and mouse.

As opposed to the silly UI of 10 which is touch-centric as well? Windows 11's UI is just a refinement of blending the desktop and mobile design ideals together in a way that everyone can use regardless of how they're using it. While it's still not on the same level of excellent as Windows 7, it's far and away better than the pathetic crap of Windows 10.

 

[RandallFlagg]

Well one week later and this hasn't aged well.

Probably someone already pointed it out but Steam now shows 8.61% running Win 11.

As part of that 8.61% I'll just say, I miss Windows 7.

 

[lexluthermiester]

I miss Windows 7.

Right there with you!

 

[windwhirl]

Well one week later and this hasn't aged well.

Probably someone already pointed it out but Steam now shows 8.61% running Win 11.

To be fair Steam only measures machines with Steam installed, as long as they agree to be part of the survey.

So, you could probably discard a large swath of office/business computers. Which likely make at least dozens if not hundreds of millions of computers.

I'll just say, I miss Windows 7.

Can't blame you. All these UI changes feel like reparations and patches and fixes on 8's disaster.

It's not a bad interface imo, at least now, but there are design decisions that can be really irritating.

 

[RandallFlagg]

To be fair Steam only measures machines with Steam installed, as long as they agree to be part of the survey.

So, you could probably discard a large swath of office/business computers. Which likely make at least dozens if not hundreds of millions of computers.

Oh I get it, but this is still a fast adoption rate. Technically there are 5 PCs in my home and two of them are on Win 11, but one of those is new.

Corporations will upgrade when they do platform upgrades, but not until Win 11 has been around a year or so (for most of them). Too much pointless liability if there is a security flaw, they're not going to be early adopters.

 

[maxfly]

I've built six rigs since the Win11 upgrade window opened. Each person has looked at me with zero recognition when I ask them if they are interested in running it (most were well educated intelligent individuals). Obviously I drop the subject at that point. If they are that oblivious, I'm not going to spend a half hour explaining the differences.

I'm certain that the vast majority of people simply have no idea Win11 exists. Granted my sample size is tiny and i don't do social media, so I may be completely off target but I doubt it.

 

[chrcoluk]

This will run you through it. Very simple actually. (Sorry I didn't get back to you right away, had a busy day.)

For those who missed Bug's request, this video shows how to bypass the microsoft account creation and setup Windows 11 Home with a local account.

If you can't play the video, follow the direction below;
When you reach the Network connection screen, Hold down the "Shift" key and press "F10".
This will bring up a command prompt.
Type in "taskmgr" and press enter.
The Task Manager will open. Click on "More Details" at the bottom and scroll down until you find the "Network Connection Flow" entry.
Right click that entry and click "End Task". Close the Task Manager and command prompt windows and you will be on the user creation screen.
This will create a local user account and bypass the microsoft account creation step.

Tada!

For those who upgrade from Windows 10 with a local account, is that configuration preserved on Windows 11? Since we know the functionality still exists.

As opposed to the silly UI of 10 which is touch-centric as well? Windows 11's UI is just a refinement of blending the desktop and mobile design ideals together in a way that everyone can use regardless of how they're using it. While it's still not on the same level of excellent as Windows 7, it's far and away better than the pathetic crap of Windows 10.

You can say that for the settings applet.

But compare the 10 taskbar (with small icons enabled) and the start menu of 10, to what is offered in 11 in which there is way more padding combined with cut functionality.

Maybe you are one of those people who never used the start menu, as I know some just launch from desktop or search, and also maybe you don't multi task much, here is a screen grab of my start menu and taskbar. I know there is padding in 10, but its barely there on the taskbar, and the start menu padding is not as bad as the start window tablet design that 11 has. 11 to me isn't a hybrid its a forced tablet UI on desktop. I just don't understand why Microsoft are incapable of adding customisation, pick desktop or tablet mode, allow compact UI toggle's as well, the same complaints exist for edge, so its clearly a problem within Microsoft where they want all this padding in their software forced on people.

This is also not mentioning the horrific changes to the right click menu and other regressions, its fine to prefer or like 11, but its not just a tweak to 10 UI, its a considerable difference.

 

[lexluthermiester]

For those who upgrade from Windows 10 with a local account, is that configuration preserved on Windows 11? Since we know the functionality still exists.

From what I've seen so far, Setup still tries to force a microsoft account to be created. The method I posted above will still work on an upgrade install, so you can still bypass it.

But compare the 10 taskbar (with small icons enabled) and the start menu of 10, to what is offered in 11 in which there is way more padding combined with cut functionality.

View attachment 228492

Holy crap! That is the messiest taskbar I have EVER seen! And I've seen some cluttered taskbars. You need to clean that mess up instead of complaining about how Windows 11 can accommodate such a mess.

Maybe you are one of those people who never used the start menu

The default Start menu in 11 is better than 10, but only just. I still use Open Shell.

I keep things clean and tidy.

This is also not mentioning the horrific changes to the right click menu and other regressions

Agreed, it's needlessly cumbersome and annoying. Easily fixed though.

 

[simlife]

its not a flop windows 11 its to future proof stuf,f its meant for windows 7, 8 ppl who eventually get a new computer(when prices get better also) to be current and well secure with updates..

os are not lifechanging as they used to be and most med to lower users dont want the hassle to upgrade and backup or learn what needs to be done..... also 0 low end users want to upgrade to tech that is still being perfected....

 

[TKnockers]

I like having the control panel still, but Microsoft is intent on removing it with W11.

Well, I have win11 on my work pc and my home pc...and both have control panel. You just type control panel in the search field and it pops right up.. looks and behaves the same as it did in win 10

 

[Caring1]

Well, I have win11 on my work pc and my home pc...and both have control panel. You just type control panel in the search field and it pops right up.. looks and behaves the same as it did in win 10

For now, until they finish transferring the contents out, then it will be gone.
Until then it remains and contents are duplicated.

 

[cst1992]

its not a flop windows 11 its to future proof stuf,f its meant for windows 7, 8 ppl who eventually get a new computer(when prices get better also) to be current and well secure with updates..

os are not lifechanging as they used to be and most med to lower users dont want the hassle to upgrade and backup or learn what needs to be done..... also 0 low end users want to upgrade to tech that is still being perfected....

Innocence... a rarity in today's crazy crazy world

 

[windwhirl]

Until then it remains and contents are duplicated.

Not entirely. Some things get moved to Settings and then removed from Control Panel, such as the main System control panel applet or the file association controls.

Now in the most recent Insider build they've moved the Programs and Features panel to Settings. Clicking the Control Panel option simply redirects you to Settings.

ve also noticed that searching the start menu for control panel functions doesn't give results any more, it pushes you only at settings.

Weird, I can still see the control panel options there. However, it does prioritize Settings results if the setting you're looking for is available in the Settings app, so you'll likely see those first if you're looking for something such as mouse wheel speed. Power plan on the other hand will show you control panel options first

 

[chrcoluk]

From what I've seen so far, Setup still tries to force a microsoft account to be created. The method I posted above will still work on an upgrade install, so you can still bypass it.



Holy crap! That is the messiest taskbar I have EVER seen! And I've seen some cluttered taskbars. You need to clean that mess up instead of complaining about how Windows 11 can accommodate such a mess.


The default Start menu in 11 is better than 10, but only just. I still use Open Shell.
View attachment 228531
I keep things clean and tidy.


Agreed, it's needlessly cumbersome and annoying. Easily fixed though.

Well we both work different to each other, and we should respect each other on this, but I hope you now understand why I dont like the 11 taskbar.

 

[kapone32]

All but 1 of my machines run on Windows 11. I had a terrible time with my Gaming rig when my EK water block decided to become a fountain. Barring the gory details I had to replace my motherboard. Windows 11 refused to install or load as I had changed hardware so I had to load Windows 10. I had Windows 10 installed for about 2 hours before I re-upgraded to 11. From as neutral a standpoint, I would say that I definitely missed the Auto HDR function and the crispness that Windows 11 feels. I will say though I have been unable to get The Ascent to load and cannot finish level 18 of Orcs Must Die 3 without the PC crashing. I don't know if that is a specific Windows issue though. I do believe that the adoption rate will steadily grow as there are a ton of Gamers out there and however many users Epic has added on top of Steam's 30 million are huge. The future of IT seems to be laptops and I think, because of TPM it will have huge adoption rate there too. I work for a huge Telco and our latest laptops are Ryzen 5 based laptops.

 

[zoom314]

Windows 12 coming next year. Probably.

Yeah version 8.12, if what I read is true so far, it sounds like 11 is really 8.11, they just left off the 8 and the period...

 

[RJARRRPCGP]

8 - remove start menu, 10 add start menu, 11 - drop start menu

2013's 8.1 adds the Start menu, what 2012's Windows 8 should have been!

 

[windwhirl]

2013's 8.1 adds the Start menu, what 2012's Windows 8 should have been!

... It did? I thought it was just a redirect to the Start screen...