Windows 11 is Microsoft’s latest version of the Windows operating system (OS) that is now used by almost 75% of PC users worldwide. It’s marketed as having improved performance over previous versions and improved memory management. Since its release in 2021, Microsoft says it’s sorted out all the bugs, and Windows 11 is now ready for what they call “broad deployment.” This means that it’s now the default OS on new machines, and any supported PC running Windows 10 can now upgrade.
So, we’ll soon be seeing Windows 11 everywhere, but given that most users have not voluntarily upgraded so far, are there reasons we should be wary?
Tough System Requirments
Unfortunately, Windows 11 is a very resource-hungry OS. To run it, you need a recent processor from Intel or AMD, and your PC needs to support TPM 2.0, a hardware security processor that most modern PCs now have as standard. You also need at least 4 GB of RAM and Secure Boot support. If you’ve got a new PC, you should be fine, but if you built your own machine, you will need to check the motherboard’s specs before installing Windows 11.
In theory, you can install Windows 11 on unsupported hardware, but it’s not recommended. This is because it’s possible that Microsoft could stop supporting uncertified systems, and you would no longer receive critical security updates.
As most businesses don’t want to pay for new PCs too often, these hardware requirements have been tough to keep up with for many, and many will be sticking with Windows 10 until their next hardware upgrade. In fact, many smaller businesses still run Windows XP across their networks!
Issues With the Interface
Although Windows 11 does look great, many people just don’t like how it operates and regard many of the changes as steps backward. A few of these include:
The Start Menu
Compared to previous versions of Windows, the Windows 11 Start Menu is difficult to use and gives the user very few options. You can’t customize it by resizing it, moving it or swapping parts around so they’re more to your liking. It can also be difficult to find apps that aren’t on your pinned ones that pop up when you open the Start Menu.
The Taskbar
Unlike on previous versions of Windows, the taskbar can’t be moved or resized. This could be annoying if you got used to having it at the top or the side on your old versions of Windows. As this functionality existed before, it seems another backward step to take it away.
The Widgets Panel
The Widgets Panel is billed as a replacement for Live Tiles, but it lacks functionality and, for most users, doesn’t actually contain any useful widgets. This might be something that Microsoft is planning to work on for future updates, but for now, it’s a function that can safely be turned off.
The Trusted Platform Module (TPM)
The TPM is a feature that Microsoft has required from all hardware partners since 2016, which provides hardware-baes security functions. However, it doesn’t have to be enabled at all times, so it will generally be switched off when you first buy your PC. Unfortunately, although it adds an extra level of security to your PC, it is not easy to find and use the functions on Windows 11. For the average user, it will be far too complicated. However, if you’re just using your PC for general home use, you probably won’t see this as a problem as the security addons are not critical.
Legacy Design in Menus
Although Windows 11 is billed as a new OS, it does build on what went before. Unfortunately, this means new menus often exist alongside legacy ones from as far back as 2007, competing for functionality and confusing the user. This sort of problem has always been a problem on Windows, going back to the release of Windows 95 and further, but it’s irritating nonetheless.
Unnecessary Preloaded Apps
When you first switch on your Windows 11 machine, the taskbar comes preloaded with a number of apps, which include Messenger and Microsoft Edge, a browser that not everyone prefers to use. For anyone that likes their own setup of apps on the taskbar, it can be irritating to have to remove ones they don’t want. It’s a minor issue, but one that can be annoying!
Some People Just Don’t Like Change
Many of the gripes with Windows 11 might sound like small issues, and, for the most part, they are. The simple fact is that there are always issues when a new OS version is released. It takes time to get used to a new way of doing things, and when you have a busy schedule, you have little time or patience for it. In addition, judging by the significant numbers of people still using Windows XP (released in 2001!) and Windows 8 (1.16% and 0.59% of Windows users, respectively), some people simply don’t like to change.
Of course, some are unable to change. For example, some governmental organizations are still forced to use old versions because they run old 32-bit software that isn’t compatible with versions of Windows after XP. Budgets can be tight too, and hardware sometimes doesn’t get updated for years. And there’s always that old adage of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” that keeps some people firmly rooted in the past.
The Future of Windows 11
With Windows 12 a distant possibility and not due until late 2024 at the earliest, we should all get used to the prospect of using Windows 11. If you have the right hardware, it’s a reliable and stable system that will keep you running and secure for a good few years. If you’re considering upgrading, make sure your systems are ready. As the core of Windows 11 is the same as Windows 10, you should have no trouble moving over your existing applications. However, if you’re using older versions of Windows, you might want to check with your software provider.
To ensure you’re ready for Windows 11, you should also check your hardware. If you run an organization with many machines, you may need to produce a deployment plan and check each device. You may also want to plan some training if some of your staff are not as IT literate. With a solid plan, your Windows 11 update should run smoothly and cause no disruption to your business.
