Windows 11 has been available for over a year now.
I haven’t mentioned much about Windows 11 yet, mainly as its only just started to appear on retail machines in the last few months.
Microsoft have been quite specific about system requirements to run Windows 11. This has ruled out a lot of existing machines from being upgraded. This is another reason why I’ve not mentioned it as uptake on upgrades has been slow too.
You can check the requirements here. https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11-specifications#table1
Now the year anniversary has passed, and the second version (22H2) of Windows 11 is out I thought it time to comment. Most of the initial teething bugs have been ironed out so I would say it is safe to upgrade if you haven’t already.
Whats it like?
Under the skin not much has changed, it still does the same job as Windows has always done. Microsoft have changed the look and feel of Windows 11 from that in Windows 10. Corners are more rounded, the font has changed, new colour schemes introduced, all to bring a fresher and more modern feel to Windows 11.
The main difference is that the start or menu button has been shifted from the bottom left of the screen to the centre. You can move it back if desired, but you can no longer move the taskbar around the edges as before. It now has to stay at the bottom. So if you liked your taskbar to the side or at the top…hard luck.
New Start menu.
The start menu has been revamped too, with the first box being populated by pins Microsoft think you want. Some are obviously paid partnerships; some are from the catalogue of Windows apps already installed. Under that are recommendations they think you want. This has received a mixed reception and it is notable that Microsoft have amended this already in the second version to be smaller and allow more pinned content.
Settings.
Settings is anther area that is expanding and has a new look and feel from that of Windows 10. Some areas of control panel have now been moved permanently over to settings. Whether this is a good thing is open to debate. Personally I wish they would make their minds up and either stick with control Panel or wholly commit to settings. Having two places to look is just confusing to the average user. One area that has received a negative backlash is the change in how the user can set their default apps. Microsoft have made this more diffcult in an obvious move to discourage users away from the stock Microsoft products, especially their Edge browser.
Finally.
Having said all this, don’t let it put you off upgrading. Windows 10 has just over 2 years of shelf life left before it becomes unsupported so you will have to take some sort of action by then by either upgrading your exisiting kit or replacing it with new.
As always if you have any questions just get in touch.
