Windows 11 - Do you like it? (with poll)

[[crs]]

I'm not a huge fan of windows 11, the amount of 'tweaks' needed to turn crap off and uninstall garbage software reminds me very much of windows 8. I'd go full Linux if I could but not every game I play works well so I dual boot.

 

[lexluthermiester]

I'm not a huge fan of windows 11, the amount of 'tweaks' needed to turn crap off and uninstall garbage software reminds me very much of windows 8.

In all fairness, it's no different than XP, Vista, 7 or 10. They all need tweaking and changes to make them suitable. Customizing for suitability is never something that can be counted against an OS.

Imho subscriptions are never really a good deal, because you keep paying.

This!

There is really no monthly price that justifies any application on its own.

Tell that to Adobe and the daffy buggars who blindly keep paying them instead of using something better and less expensive(or even free).

 

[windwhirl]

Not much of an issue with Windows 11 on the daily, even when I've been permanently in the Insider program since 2015 back with Windows 10. So I'm ok with W11, it does what it needs to do for the most part and even with Canary builds the system is fairly stable (do take note I run the system without touching too many "unorthodox" settings and running in compliance with Microsoft's requirements except for Secure Boot).

I do think that ever since Windows 7 we have lost some degree of customization of the look and feel of the system, and maybe I'm an old fart at just 30 yo, but I also blame the overall design style currents going on that seem to make some aspects of UX more unnecessarily annoying. Like scroll bars being ridiculously thin or just straight up not being visible unless you hover over them.

Also, Microsoft never wrapping up the transfer from Control Panel to Settings bothers me. We've been tolerating this dual configuration system for 12 years now (introduced with Windows 8) and it seems like it takes them a year to move one measly setting from Control Panel to the Settings app. At this point I'd rather they had never bothered making the Settings app and put the Control Panel back to what it was. I'll bet the sysadmins will appreciate that.

 

[jak_2456]

I've been using Windows 11 on my XPS 15 daily-use laptop and on my sim racing PC. I don't mind it that much, but I think that I'd like Linux more now that I've used it on a 2015 MacBook Air (that thing went to a friend) and my Inspiron 15R 5521 that a relative gave to me. I might make it my new year's resolution to switch to Linux on the XPS.

 

[Bill_Bright]

IIRC, Open Shell was one of them I tried out, but then a monthly patch hosed it up. I set it up again, and then I was unable to install one of the monthly M$ updates. I took it off in an attempt at troubleshooting the update. The update still didn't work. So it wasn't the issue. M$ fixed the update a while later. I never bothered with it again.

The same thing has happened to Start10/Start11 (as well as the similar StartIsBack). There's no proof Microsoft made changes to the start menu that purposefully targeted and disabled those 3rd party apps. I know I have had other apps or features in other apps suddenly stop working after major Windows Updates. For example, it has happened a couple times with Winaero Tweaker for me. It seems to happen most with apps that dig deep into the kernel - which both start menu alternatives and OS tweakers tend to do. I am not saying Microsoft didn't intentionally do something to specifically block or undo the changes made by those apps - there's just no proof they did.

In any and each (AFAIK) case, issues were resolved when the Stardock and Winaero developers released updates. I assume that is the same with Open Shell. You might try it again. That said, Stardock does offer a free 30-day trial period for Start11. And I know, unlike some free trial programs, it does uninstall cleanly should you decide you don't want it. Might be worth considering.

In all fairness, it's no different than XP, Vista, 7 or 10. They all need tweaking and changes to make them suitable. Customizing for suitability is never something that can be counted against an OS.

Totally agree. I might add I feel same with Linux and felt the same with OS/2 back in the day, and Android on my phone and tablets now. Since "Apple" invented and is synonymous with the word "proprietary", I don't count them.

Does anyone leave all the "out-of-the-box" settings at their default settings (other than essential account, HW driver, and network settings)? Very few, I suspect.

I do think that ever since Windows 7 we have lost some degree of customization of the look and feel of the system

There's no doubt about it. It is just a fact. MS has locked down many previously allowed changes.

That said, I note in the history of Windows, one of Windows' greatest advantages (in terms of user happiness) is how flexible it's been in terms of user customizations, allowed tweaks and personalizations. At the same time, one of Windows greatest disadvantages is how flexible its been.

Sadly, too many have tweaked Windows to death because they didn't know what they were doing, they've "always done it that way", or they just assumed they were smarter than the engineers and developers at MS. Then, of course, they blamed Microsoft for allowing the change, and then for losing all their data - when in fact, it was the user to blame for failing to ensure they had a good backup before they tweaked the computer to death!

This is probably the primary reason why Microsoft over the years has locked down and blocked previously allowed changes to the defaults. They would rather be criticized for being less flexible than being blamed for Windows breaking when it was not their fault. Frankly, I don't blame them for that. And I note they were right. When users leave the defaults alone, Windows (at least the latest generations of Windows) tends to keep working just fine.

I'm just saying... ...the developers at Microsoft are not dummies or idiots. Sadly, I cannot say the same for the marketing weenies, some of the C-level execs, or some of the policies they have enacted. But that's for a different discussion.

***

One area of persistent and deep frustration for me, for decades now is the Registry Editor, Regedit. How hard would it have been to insert code that prompts the user and makes a backup of the Registry BEFORE actual changes to the Registry are made. Instead, any changes we make are instant, in real time. Yes, you can Export and Import but users are not prompted to use that feature, nor is it intuitive - especially when importing. There is not even a reset or restore defaults feature.

I consider myself very adept at dinking around the Registry today - but it was a steep and often painful learning curve to get here.

That's what I like about Winaero Tweaker. It explains and shows in detail, what changes it will make BEFORE making any changes, AND it has a nice undo/reset feature. Very nice.

Having said all that against Microsoft, I give them credit for creating Microsoft PowerToys. If you like to tweak Windows, check it out.

 

[windwhirl]

some of the C-level execs,

I'm still mad at Nadella laying off most of the programmatic testers back when they were shaving off most of the Nokia stuff in 2014 or so

 

[erpguy53]

Windows 11 24H2 has more issues, including blank clipboard history and buggy Disk cleanup - Reddit

'nuff said there; older win11 releases before 24H2 were okay to me but 24H2 has been a "buggy mess"

 

[lexluthermiester]

Windows 11 24H2 has more issues, including blank clipboard history and buggy Disk cleanup - Reddit

'nuff said there; older win11 releases before 24H2 were okay to me but 24H2 has been a "buggy mess"

Context: This applies ONLY to updates. Fresh installs of 24H2 have NONE of these problems.

So to sum up, if you want the new features of 24H2, do a fresh install! Do NOT update!

 

[Jacky_BEL]

I have come to hate working with computers just because of how awful the GUI experience has become.

And it is not just the OS but the applications as well.

At home I can customise (win10) and have a somewhat decent experience , but at work (win 11) it is just so frustrating having to deal with all the crap.

 

[Bill_Bright]

Well, I know what you mean but still, typically even the worst GUI is better/easier than only having a command line to enter commands. I still consider myself somewhat of a command line junky for some tasks, but for 99% of the time, a GUI is the way to go.

 

[burnitdwn]

Windows 7 is IMO the best microsoft product.
Windows 10 is bad, but can be made "okish" after disabling all the tiles and background telemetry stuff and after installing open shell menu and fixing the search to be more like regex.
WSL2 is my favorite thing MS has done since windows 7.

Since Proton runs like 90% of my steam library and i don't really do any competitive online games that dont run in linux, i've moved more of my PCs over to Linux.
Now i just have 1 windows 10 box which will stay with windows until windows 10 EOL.

I have been using windows 11 on a work laptop for a year or so, and i dislike it in every possible way compared to windows 10 which was already worse than windows 7 in every feasible way.

I might consider running windows 11 at home in a VM under a linux hypervisor, but its probably a lot easier to just run the MS stuff I want to run in wine.

 

[tsunami2311]

Not fan of in anyway of there startmenu/bar changes in ms fashion give us something good then take it away. rest of the os is usable then I am aviod 24h2 cause i have no intrest in the recall bs even being installed even if it can be disabled

 

[Hattu]

Can't install it on anything. Not on any rather new machine in my family. (Mainly TPM)

So I don't like it.

And it seems to mess up with everything once in a while with updates. Even reviewers are using whatever version, for reasons that I don't know. Even servers got new updates recently, that cannot be undone whitout backups.

So I haven't used it much, maybe a few times at friends with new machines.

I won't vote because of lack of personal experience, just commented my feelings.

I'm moving to Linux anyway.

 

[Magic Cube]

There is something in current Windows 11 UI that I don't like. I cannot specify what but it just doesn't well good. I have installed W11 multiple times to different computers and it always drives me to install different operating system. Yes I can use it at work, as I have forced everyone to use it. Windows just gets boring and you can't change somethings of the UI.

My current operating system on this Asrock x300 computer has Ubuntu Budgie 24.04. Yes I have multiple computers, which have Windows in Server, LTSC or Pro editions. Still my mind prefers either Xubuntu or Ubuntu Budgie. Atleast I can customize it more than Windows.

I also have need to install Vista/7 to one of my computers. I don't know why.

 

[bitsandboots]

I picked up a GPD Win 4, a little PSP-looking steam deck competitor.
I was fully prepared to put Linux on it because I expected Windows 11 on it to be just awful.
I still haven't put Linux on it yet. I'm sure it would be superior but Windows 11 proved to be better than expected FOR A SMALL TOUCHSCREEN DEVICE

The best of Windows 11 seems to pick up what Windows 8 tried to do. It's better than 10 for mobile UX.
But given a laptop or desktop I wouldn't touch it. Reasons include:
* Microsoft has worked hard to lose all trust somewhere between windows 8 and 10. As a result, I'd rather be on Windows 10 because since 11 exists, 10 is no longer a playground of half baked projects. I can use it in peace and stability - the primary purpose of an OS.
* A subset of that: Like hell I want Recall on any of my computers
* The UX is worse for keyboard & mouse than 10. The start bar and context menu changes are crazy
* Using Windows optimally has become such a maze of hacks and arcane knowledge that using Linux is genuinely easier, simpler, more coherent. Part of this is that Linux has much less employees trying to make their mark or keep their job by doing pointless changes.

I think Linux is in the answer for 2024, but it's not perfect. FreeBSD is very comfy when you're just on the CLI. But it's far away from Linux with regards to needing programs, graphical performance, hardware support.

 

[ISAK.M]

I was a bit late to Windows 11 I think late October/early November 21 but still its almost since release.
I think that in the beginning 21H2 was literally just a Windows 10 reskin that didnt run very well and it just didnt feel very complete.
22H2 is much more complete and it is the version that ive used for the longest time.
Ive just recently installed 23H2 this September and here I had to change some things that MS changed that I didnt like, mainly QoL stuff.
It looks like 24H2 has changed a bunch more things so 22H2 will probably remain my "main" OS for the foreseeable future. Maybe ill still give 24H2 a go if I feel like it some day.
I do have more OSes on my PC and not just Windows as in the end Windows isnt the greatest
Still I think Windows 11 is better then 10 and probably better then 7 aswell bcs quite honestly while 7 WAS rly good it rly isnt anymore

 

[mechtech]

need another option

-never tried/don't use w11

 

[theFOoL]

I reinstall WiN10ET on my Hp 8460p bc I did not see much from 24H2 so I'll be with this till otherwise

 

[Caring1]

remember this is about Windows 11, not Linux.

I was going to quote all those that mentioned Linux but gave up, seems to be a lot of people with comprehension issues or they just can't help themselves.

 

[lexluthermiester]

I was going to quote all those that mentioned Linux but gave up, seems to be a lot of people with comprehension issues or they just can't help themselves.

I didn't say no one could mention Linux at all because if they're using it, that is part of the poll. Only that this is not a specific Linux focused discussion. Does that make sense?

 

[DudeBeFishing]

In all fairness, it's no different than XP, Vista, 7 or 10. They all need tweaking and changes to make them suitable. Customizing for suitability is never something that can be counted against an OS.


This!

Tell that to Adobe and the daffy buggars who blindly keep paying them instead of using something better and less expensive(or even free).

XP was quick to setup.
- Turn off driver updates.
- Install the latest updates, then turn off automatic updates.
- Turn off the indexing service.
- Enable the classic theme.

I skipped Vista due to software compatibility issues.

7 was the same setup as XP, but then Microsoft ruined it. I had to block specific updates. Remember the forced Windows 10 updates? Then the spectre/meltdown nonsense. I stopped updating 7 after that.

10 is unusable without customizing. The apps I had issues with in Vista also don't work in 10. Some didn't work with the aero theme in 7, but worked fine with the classic theme. The few games I frequently play run worse. A Xeon W3680 shouldn't be beating a 5700X3D, but it does when it's running 7 and the later is on 10. If only the X570 chipset had complete 7 drivers.

 

[ShrimpBrime]

Really like W11. It just needs installment management just as any other operating system before it. The OEM installs are trash though. Backwards compatibility is as good as it's ever been, but works best with modern gear.

So depending on where I think of it. 07 Vista to 09 was not good years, everyone stuck with XP64 until W7 was released. Of course many hanging onto it even today. But lets face it, it's not "Good" for todays programming.

W10 seemed to pass the torch to 11 pretty well I believe.

Not to say there hasn't been issues with any mix of hardware or operating system, I have benchmarked GPUs as old at X18/1900 XT series on W10 and W11. If it's PCI-E, have been able to run it on a modern motherboard. It's way easier than trying to run 11 on sock 478 lol. Obviously XP is my favorite (32bit)

Really, I have favorite things about each and every operating system. Just depends on what hardware it's being put on and for what purpose.

 

[Lew Zealand]

I came to Windows 10 from Macs for gaming purposes after doing enough simple Windows 10 admin to find it a useful OS.

Works fine
Does what it needs to do
Often hides exact Windows 7 functions behind an extra layer of GUI dysfunction
Does extra things I don't want it to do that I eventually learned how to turn off

Win 11 is an exaggeration of Win 10.

Works fine
Does what it needs to but with occasional added annoyance
Hides even more Windows 7 function behind additional layers of GUI distraction
Does even more extra things I need to turn off

There's a trend here which hasn't reached concern levels but this suggests additional annoyances for W12 and beyond.

 

[Aquinus]

It's fine. What can I say, it feels like Windows. The whole a pig with lipstick is still just a pig thing, you know?

 

[lilhasselhoffer]

So, setting aside the new features...why do you want one OS over another? That is what we are asking, right. My short list is:
1) Security
2) Accessibility
3) Customization
4) Control

I prefer Windows 7 and 10 because you had control. There weren't any shenanigans with quiet installs of forced restarts. You would be asked if you wanted to do something...and if you said no you were golden. Later variants of 10 have added telemetry and tracking, along with installing games that I don't want, while removing the ancient and classic minesweeper and solitaire. Candy crush can go get microwaved for all I care.

That said, there are also file structure changes in 11 that I don't like. The start menu wants to pretend it's smarter than me, and it cues up what I've been watching recently. Nothing like watching a Penn and Teller show (Bull S***) and having to explain to children why the naughty word is there...let alone real adult content, or anything that sound remotely adult. I...just don't like MS pretending their AI knows what I want when it's wrong about 80% of the time.

That said, is Windows 11 a dumpster fire? No. It's the next set of garbage attempting to be a personal information sink, on the back of the next attempt to do something like a subscription OS so that MS can get money in perpituity without having to appreciably improve things like Adobe attempted with Photoshop. I...think that in my lifetime I'll get to the point where my computer is theoretically not owned by me...and someday there'll be enough backlash that we return to a Windows 7 era right to choose. Hopefully I won't be dead by then, or have an OS that evolves with me plugged into my brain.