Is it better than Windows 10? Whats the difference? Does it look different? After doing many upgrades for clients and myself I will attempt to answer these questions and more.
What is the first thing you notice after an upgrade to Windows 11? Well me, I noticed it looks different and takes a little time to get used to. Some options are not in the same place and the Start menu is different. The other thing I noticed is that the search is very effective and you can find what you’re looking for with ease. If you are upgrading from Windows 10, the process is pretty straightforward assuming your computer meets the requirements. If you are buying a new computer it will already be loaded with Windows 11. I also noticed a tab system in File Explorer as well as Notepad, which I found strange at first. After getting used to the new system it started to make sense and the benefits in productivity became clear. Now, just so you know many people will continue to use Windows 10 for years to come; it will continue to be supported until some time in October 2025. I would personally recommend upgrading either before the end of support or shortly there after. But just as an FYI there are still people using Windows XP and claim to have no issue- I do not recommend that. I bring that up because if you are currently on Windows 10 and it’s all dialed in and running like a top, you may want to just leave it be for the time being. I have a few systems in my fleet still running Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise and I intend to leave it that way until the bitter end. All that being said, here are some things I noticed about Windows 11:
The taskbar is different and I can not see how to shrink it without editing the registry
The icons on the taskbar are centered but can be moved off to the left or right
Widgets on the start menu are annoying but you can turn them off
The snap layout is awesome! That has to be my favorite part. No more messing around trying to get your windows lined up, just drag to the top of the screen and choose your layout and move to the next window. I love that feature. Some of the built-in apps have newer features that are worthwhile, like being able to focus your work sessions to limit distractions during your work hours. There are also some video and photo editing features that are worthwhile and an upgrade for Windows 11.
Teams is built in and works well and there are many other new features. The upgrade should be free as long as you meet the minimum requirements so I say go for it! That’s it for now. I will continue to post as time permits. Happy Computing!
