Windows 11 is now available (see page 25) as a free upgrade from Windows 10. Should you jump on board, or sit tight for now? We’re currently recommending that most people wait to install Windows 11 (fave.co/3DQeFVJ), with the emphasis on most. That article explicitly lays out our reasons for that recommendation, but it really boils down to this: While Windows 11 offers some excellent new features, it also has plenty of rough edges, and it actually removes some key functionality you might have used in Windows 10.
In the spirit of that mixed reception, here are three things we love in Windows 11—and three things we hate.
WE LOVE: THE SETTINGS MENU
Nearly a decade after the new Settings menu appeared in Windows 8, Microsoft has finally made a real effort to not only fill out the Settings menu with more options, but also organize it well. Microsoft has done away with the home screen of the Settings menu, relying instead on a left-hand nav bar. A “breadcrumb” navigation system has been added to the top, so you can skip back and forth inside of a particular directory. Search exists, too, of course. Finally, each page of the Settings provides dense information without being overwhelming, with dropdown menus and graphics to assist you. It’s quite useful.
For years, Microsoft’s Windows Settings menu has wrestled with the legacy Control Panel. If you need to do something, where should you look? In Windows 11, you’ll find most of what you’re looking for inside the Windows 11 Settings menu.
WE HATE: THE NEW START MENU
Continue reading your story on the app
Continue reading your story in the magazine
3 Things We Love in Windows 11 (and 3 Things We Hate)
Windows 11 has some great features, as well as reasons not to upgrade.
How to make Windows 11 look like Windows 10
Windows 11 gives Microsoft’s operating system a bold new look, but you can still make it feel (mostly) familiar.
How to upgrade to Windows 11: Every option explained
Microsoft has several tools to upgrade you from Windows 10 to Windows 11 in a matter of minutes.
How to watch TV on your PC
There are several ways to watch live TV on your PC, some much easier than others. We walk you through your options.
SOME OF THE BEST WINDOWS 11 FEATURES ARE HIDDEN
HERE’S WHERE TO FIND THEM.
Mesh Wi-Fi vs. traditional router: Which one's best for your home?
You can go with the easy answer—or the one that’s actually best for you.
AMD Radeon RX 6600: Finally, a true 1080p graphics card
It’s good, though pricey.
Acer Predator Triton 500 SE: A gaming laptop that's safe for work
The 16:10, 1440p, 165 Hz display is great for more than just gaming.
Microsoft Surface Pro 8: A superior Windows 11 tablet
Microsoft's latest Surface ushers in Windows 11 with an outstanding new Surface tablet.
PNY LX3030 SSD: Incredible durability for twice the price
This PCIe 3 drive sustains long writes with the top performers and is rated for a staggering 27,000TBW per TB of capacity.
WHAT WORKS FOR ME: WINDOWS OF OPPORTUNITY
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella functions in a daily pressure cooker of high stakes. Here’s how he finds balance amid the ever-evolving environment of big tech. as told to CHARLES THORP
AUGMENTED REALITY PROJECT BRINGS OLYMPICS BIRTHPLACE TO LIFE
What would it be like to walk around the ancient religious sanctuary of Olympia when the Olympic Games were held?
HOW TO USE SNAP LAYOUTS IN WINDOWS 11
Windows 11 may be better known for its centered taskbar and rounded window borders, but the new Snap Layouts feature (sometimes also called Snap Assist) might be a more useful UI innovation. Windows, as its name implies, has long been excellent at managing and rearranging program windows, but Snap Layouts elevate the operating system (OS) to the next level.
CAN MY PC RUN WINDOWS 11?
With rounded corners for all windows, relocated taskbar icons, and more elegant Settings dialogs, Windows 11 is a significant visual refinement of Windows 10. It’s also a free update, which means you’re probably keen to install it on your existing PC.
HOW TO SET UP AND CUSTOMIZE YOUR WINDOWS 11 INSTALLATION
The Windows 11 setup process is similar to that of Windows 10, but there are a few surprises when it comes to account access, privacy, security, and other features. And installing the new OS is only half the battle. Afterward, you have to go through a host of setup screens to customize and configure Windows 11 the way you want it.
Microsoft Offers TPM 2.0 Bypass to Install Windows 11 on Unsupported PC
For months, Microsoft has been telling customers that Windows 11 requires your PC to have a special security chip called TPM 2.0—but you can actually skirt the restriction. Ironically, the company itself posted official guidance on its website detailing how to circumvent the TPM 2.0 requirement.
Microsoft Windows 11: A Radically Modernized Design
Many people thought there would never be a Windows 11—understandably, after Microsoft announced in 2015 that Windows 10 would be the operating system’s last version number.
MICROSOFT PROFIT UP 24% IN QUARTER, DRIVEN BY CLOUD GROWTH
Growth in Microsoft’s cloud computing business helped push its profit up 24% in the July-September quarter over the same time last year.
VOXELS
Who needs polygons when you have blocks?
MINECRAFT
A ten-year-old game is still reaching new heights.