Are you happy with Windows 11

I think the real problem is... the getting old thingy. Like... buying new hardware for latter software - while the old hardware is still working (still good enough for the needs of many using a computer). Adapting to all kinds of changes - to (slightly) different ways of doing things. Which can be particularly hard - while using an Operating System - that's more or less treated like beta software with some releases - mainly because Microsoft holds the biggest Desktop OS monopoly - so it affords to use its customers as test subjects (even with the risk of loosing couple of millions - with the release of a new build that's more or less problematic - be it buggy or immoral).

To be fair, except for Microsoft Surface (and such) - most users use OEM hardware made to work with Windows - not the other way around (dedicated hardware + dedicated OS - similar to MacOS) - so that too... can pose some - inconveniences (if not tested properly - before a new Windows build is released). So yeah... i can be challenging even for younger generations or older who are still fond of tech evolution - and embrace all the changes that can with that. But as the saying goes: "You can't teach an old Dog new tricks." - and as mentioned in the begging - the getting old part - is still the most challenging aspect. Same goes for Smartphones - where evolution is a good thing - while consumerism and the struggle of older generations with new tech - is just the way of the modern world.

Anyway, personally... wouldn't use the world happy - to describe the Windows 11 experience. More like... it's fine - as in - manageable (can still strip down most of the features - i don't find useful for personal needs). Or at least - it was up till build 23H2. And that's just it... this days (and for quite some time now) - i treat even the Windows installed on my own PC - as if it's part of an enterprise environment (no rush for upgrades - whiling to wait as long as needed - till Windows beta builds prove to be stable enough). What can i say - getting longer i lost the patience of my younger days - back when Windows was such a big mess - that reinstalling it multiple times a year - seemed like the best approach. Or even the times - when it seemed fine to install every Windows update (every service pack).

Windows 11 is my favourite OS of all time. I am able to and have customised it to my exact liking.

I'm very happy about it, much more than with Windows 10. It looks more modern and clean, more cool features and better energy management, had no issues using it so far. Only problems I've had was with taskbar and explorer, so I've replaced both with StartAllBack. I'm a customisation freak myself, using Mac for work, so I've installed and customised a lot of features and apps on W11, ending up with cool hybrid that is very pleasant to work with. You can check it on my github page if you're interested.

I had been holding off upgrading PCs that were only hardware compatible with Win11. Except for testing....I'm an enthusiast so have plenty of hardware to fiddle with. But with MSs latest policy I have began to upgrade even older systems to Win11 from Win10. As mentioned there are some bugs but so far...knock-on-wood.....I haven't noticed anything.
Unless you have a very old, weak system I see no reason to not upgrade. However someone mentioned Win7 can be okay especially if you are security conscious and have things set up properly. Router, firewall, etc. There are some who are just anti Win10/11 snobs and refuse to upgrade. Stuck on older software that doesn't work with the newer OSs and refuse to pay for upgraded software. I still have systems running Win7 and even WinXP.

BamaInArk said:

....I'm an enthusiast so have plenty of hardware to fiddle with....

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Me too

BamaInArk said:

But with MSs latest policy I have began to upgrade even older systems to Win11 from Win10. As mentioned there are some bugs but so far...knock-on-wood.....I haven't noticed anything.

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Ditto...

BamaInArk said:

... I still have systems running Win7 and even WinXP.

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Hardware, I can only go back as far as Windows 7 now since my XP laptop died. I do have W8.1, XP, Windows '95 and WfWG 3.11 as VMs though, all networked (the last two just for the nostalgia factor ).

Edwin said:

I'm content with Windows 11.

Performance	10/10
UI	9/10
Functionality	8/10
Security	10/10

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You forgot one. Needing to do more clicking to get the same thing done that took less clicking in Windows 10. 10/10
I will admit that considering all of the pluses and minuses of Windows 11, it is worth upgrading too.

Winuser said:

... considering all of the pluses and minuses of Windows 11, it is worth upgrading too.

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The landscape is changing...,
time after time, Microsoft does something strange, we b*tch and complain about it for a couple weeks, then we find a way around it and get over it..., happens!!!
I have no right to complain, though..., Windows 11 works fine and, free upgrades for over a decade!?!?!? I haven't paid for an operating system since 2009!!!

AndrewGernsback said:

I added my system details. Processor: AMD FX(tm)-4130 Quad-Core Processor3.80
I don't think it has SSE4.2
BTW, I disconnected my optial drive awhile ago. Facinating how quickly it became obsolete! However, I connect it on occasion to look at medical imaging. However, I have run into a number of medical offices these days that don't have optical drives on their computers. Hospitals have not gone to using USBs because of the expense.

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This may be redundant, but that CPU is from 2012.

Not supported for 11. However, it includes SSE 4.2 instructions, so it is physically capable of running Windows 11 24H2 (after all the bypasses are used to permit installation).

I'm not current on the state of unsupported installs. I have one on a laptop (meets all requirements, except for its Gen6 Intel CPU). I went to 24H2 from 23H2 by running an upgrade from an ISO. I didn't have to modify the ISO at all.

I'm quite happy with Windows 11 Pro. I've run most every Microsoft OS since my original IBM PC in 1981. I'm old too! I've had many dozens of computers over the years and my current computer (click on "My Computer" below) running Windows 11 Pro is the best yet.

Generally happy with Windows 11.
Except that the hardware is not compatible (processor is 7th gen), I have a feeling that soon it may stop working one of these days after updates.
Linux, as an alternative, though working, has a few problems, irritants. Some programs work, others are not compatible etc.
The other alternative, MacOS is too expensive for me consider.

I think the only thing I'm unhappy with is..., how frickin boring the Insider Program is now!!!

Edwin said:

I think the only thing I'm unhappy with is..., how frickin boring the Insider Program is now!!!

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Great! So you're not finding any problems or bugs with the beta?

This is a one-off contribution to this thread. I've stated my opinions about Windows 11 a number of times here, so I'll take a slightly different tack on Windows and my views of it.

To repeat what I've stated a zillion times before. I've found Windows 11 to be stable on multiple PC's and laptops since its release. To put it another way it works fine for me as long as hardware issues or dodgy drivers don't show up. I can say from very painful experience Windows 11 doesn't like faulty hardware especially defective ram.

Pros
1. On the whole MS have made real steps with security improvements.
2. The ongoing replacement of the old Control Panel with the Settings App is to be welcomed.
3. The MS Store app has evolved, making it easier to keep apps up to date.
4. Windows Hello.
5. The major changes to the driver frameworks and infrastructure in 24H2 are a good move to modernise the OS.
6. Haven't had to pay for it for ages thanks to the licensing regime in place.

Cons
1. Endless tinkering with the Start Menu. Hey MS, some of us barely use it no matter what changes you make.
2. Too many pointless functions\apps\tools enabled by default. Here's looking at you News Widgets in particular.
3. Taking too long to phase out the old Control Panel. Jeez it is as old as Moses.
4. Too many channels\versions\builds\updates.
5. Pushing driver updates onto users via Window Updates.

I always liked Win 10 from the very beginning, but I bought my main machine with Win 11 Pro pre-installed. I can’t tell the difference really between Win 10 and Win 11, except perhapsWin 11 is a bit faster (judging with my eyes).

I use my computer for browsing and Photoshop, therefore I can’t tell the difference between the two OSs in terms of new things in Win 11. For my own usage Photoshop in Win 11 is very fast and error free, with Win 10 I always had problems although I’m sure they might have been related to old hardware rather than Win 10 specifically.

Would I recommend Win 11? Absolutely, a great OS.

I upgraded my 2012 (!) Toshiba P870 running W7 Home a few months back for the same reason - a lot of apps were no longer being supported.
I could put that P970 in a pc showroom and people would think it's a new laptop, it's so immaculate.
It was an awesome pc in its day and still is in may ways.

As for gripes about W11 Pro:
1. My logon screen power button issue.
2. General twitchiness.
3. Microsoft *STILL* hasn't got their multi-monitor support act together after all these years, as far as window size and location placeholding.
4. The move away from W7 style friendliness and usability to a Mac-like "why do you want to touch that?" mentality.
5. The intermittent black screen issues, of which I had one, but since disabling a certain 3rd party app, it hasn't resurfaced in 2 weeks, but we'll see...
6. The ridiculous amount of bloat and fluff, now disabled by me.
7. The Microsoft support channels now staffed by volunteers who don't have a clue and suggest reformatting your pc or try this 3rd party site for the answer.
Like any pc, after 6 months of tweaking it'll all be ok (ish).

For me, 23H2 is livable when it's heavily modified with tools like Winaero Tweaker, O&O Shut-Up and Chris Titus. Out of principle, I really don't think I should have to heavily modify the OS in order to get it to work the way I want it to, but there you have it. That's what it's had to come to.

I'll leave 24H2 to the others. I don't need the hassles. I don't need the headaches.

I was a fan of Windows XP Pro, then Windows 7 Pro, and now Windows 11 Pro. To me, Windows 10 seemed like a laggy, bloated replacement for Windows 7, and so I held on as long as I could winth my Windows 7 Pro PCs.

Once I tried Windows 11, I felt like MS finally evolved properly from Windows 7. Windows 11 Pro is my favorite not just for its performance and completeness, but also because it performs well on both new and older systems alike. I can run it on newer hardware or older hardware and get great performance on both.

With the right thoughtful hardware choices (new or old), it's possible to have a very quick and responsive error-free rock solid stable PC with Windows 11 Pro.

Yes, I'm a fan of Windows 11 Pro. Great OS. Is it perfect? No, but tweakable towards perfection.

I for one trained in 1972 for up-and-coming industry computers first system I used was Win3.1 the flashing DOS cursive line had to enter WIN. We have come a long way. Bought a laptop in Augst could not see the need of 1TB hard drive now I do with 16 meg ram and a 12-hour battery. Win11 drivers have to be updated the days of building your own computer I feel like shade tree mechanics is over. All the issues I am seeing in forum is waiting to do updates, using old machines not built for today's Win11. Yes, I like and will continue use Win11 - 12 -13 or what comes down the road.

TraderGary said:

Great! So you're not finding any problems or bugs with the beta?

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I feel the same way as @Edwin. Speaking for myself, it's not that I haven't had any problems or bugs, It's that they're not releasing the latest and greatest new feature to the Canary Builds. And to add salt to the wounds, they haven't opened the door for those of us that are bored with the direction that the Canary Builds are going to drop out. They have done it in the past. And before anyone says it, yes they did tell us the only way out was a clean install. They also gave us the impression that the Insider Builds, especially the Canary Builds would be testing the cutting edge version of Windows. I'm sorry but it's not happening. Watching paint peel off a house is more exciting then The Canary Builds they are releasing.

I'm generally happy with it. A Windows update seems to have affected how TranslucentTB works. With the slideshow wallpaper option and using the Acrylic taskbar option in TranslucentTB, it now flicks to the next wallpaper instead of the taskbar smoothly fading to the next. I don't think anybody has noticed that. In Windows, Switching from a slideshow to picture it also jumps/splutters for a second where it used to smoothly fade to the picture. I uninstalled the previous Windows Update and it all works correctly again. MS do seem to be breaking more than they fix with Windows Updates recently.