It feels half-baked and slower than before.Īnother point is the Taskbar itself, where the new default location for the Start menu and the icons is the middle. It lacks the unification of the Windows 10 Start menu, when you would try to look for something and the results would appear in an instant.

When you click ‘More’, it’s just an expanded list with a date and the location of the files.Īlso, when you try to search for something, it launches the Search app, which is a bit jarring when it switches between this and the Start menu. This is a strange placement, which shows your recent files and apps but you can’t clear the list. Everything is centered, with your apps being displayed, followed by a ‘Recommended’ section. Visually it looks great, but once you dig deeper, the issues begin to reveal themselves. It feels half-finished, as if it’s a stopgap between Windows 10 and a touch interface designed for the new Surface tablets. Let’s get to the point - the new Start menu in Microsoft Windows 11 needs work. (Image credit: Future / Microsoft) Microsoft Windows 11: Start menu Hopefully it'll be more transparent with the data it collects in the future, while providing tools to help users control what is – and isn't – shared. It's a shame, then, that Microsoft appears to have taken a step back in this regard with Windows 11. Microsoft has in the past got in a bit of trouble over the data it collects from users, and there was enough of a backlash that the company made controlling what data was shared in Windows 10 easier for users. Since the upgrade was available to be used in the Insider Build program to test Windows 11, there's currently no way of switching this off, which raises a concern as to why there isn't an option here. There's also the question of data collection. While understandable from one perspective, it could frustrate others who just want to use a PC occasionally without having to create an account or constant access to an internet connection. Without these, you'll be stuck at the set up screen. TPM was once just a niche topic - but now it’s a major talking point, with many users still wondering if their PC is compatible.Ī new requirement for anyone to access Windows 11 will be a Microsoft account and an internet connection.

While the free upgrade is welcome, the communication surrounding the system requirements in the run up to Windows 11's release has been pretty woeful. However, most regular users won’t be missing out if they go with the Home version - every exclusive feature in Windows 11 Pro is tailored for a business, not the home, so if you use a PC for creative work or gaming, or just casual use, there’s little need for the Pro version. The Pro version has features mainly aimed at business users (opens in new tab), but home users may like the fact that you can encrypt your hard drive with a tougher encryption level for better security. The upgrade arrives in two versions Home or Pro.

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