Win11 -> Win10 features

Can you please reply to this email by posting Win10 features you miss while immersing yourself in Win11.
I'm not asking you to solve those problems. For all I know, many may be being addressed in this forum's incredible Tutuorial List.

From the perspective of USER INTERFACE, I believe Win10 to be the best Microsoft OS to date.
When I bought this computer for my wife, also a longtime Windows (and Mac) user, she was amazed at the new interface. As usual with this sort of thing, the UI was less NEW than it was rearranged, or made more simple, to presumably address a less sophisticated user base. I've noticed many and looked up a few (I don't have the time to address every one, especially when the reason I use a computer is to get work done.)

I'd like to see this thread list, before we begin to forget, the System 10 features we reflexively miss when using Windows 11. If we don't do this I fear these features may permanently be taken from us.

For example:
- Why has the RightClick menu shrunk, and what needs to be done to, by default, restore their lengthened version.

jro11 said:

Can you please reply to this email by posting Win10 features you miss while immersing yourself in Win11.
I'm not asking you to solve those problems. For all I know, many may be being addressed in this forum's incredible Tutuorial List.

From the perspective of USER INTERFACE, I believe Win10 to be the best Microsoft OS to date.
When I bought this computer for my wife, also a longtime Windows (and Mac) user, she was amazed at the new interface. As usual with this sort of thing, the UI was less NEW than it was rearranged, or made more simple, to presumably address a less sophisticated user base. I've noticed many and looked up a few (I don't have the time to address every one, especially when the reason I use a computer is to get work done.)

I'd like to see this thread list, before we begin to forget, the System 10 features we reflexively miss when using Windows 11. If we don't do this I fear these features may permanently be taken from us.

For example:
- Why has the RightClick menu shrunk, and what needs to be done to, by default, restore their lengthened version.

Click to expand...

I liked Windows 10 A LOT, but I have used 11 long enough that I don't miss it any more. Was I frustrated at first? You bet I was. Until I became familiar with it, it was the same frustration I went through with every operating system transition since XP. I'm pretty basic in my computer use and old school. I do what I do , and ignore all the bells and whistles that's been added to attract the young generation. I don't game, but work with my computer.
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE (Actually dislike is not a strong enough word)
the right click context menu (tweaked and fixed, got the old one back)
Automatic one-drive integration if using a MS account - (got rid of that sucker, too)
I uninstalled all the "extras" that MS thought I wanted and needed in my life.
It took a while, but there's a tutorial here for everything. If not, just ask.

I run my PC in native windows. None of the extra 3rd party software to "make it look like' another OS. It runs solid, set up the way I want it, and not the way MS thinks I should have it.
It's all a learning process. I recommend everyone, especially those with fully compatible systems, take the plunge and go for it.

glasskuter said:

I liked Windows 10 A LOT, but I have used 11 long enough that I don't miss it any more. Was I frustrated at first? You bet I was. Until I became familiar with it, it was the same frustration I went through with every operating system transition since XP. I'm pretty basic in my computer use and old school. I do what I do , and ignore all the bells and whistles that's been added to attract the young generation. I don't game, but work with my computer.
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE (Actually dislike is not a strong enough word)
the right click context menu (tweaked and fixed, got the old one back)
Automatic one-drive integration if using a MS account - (got rid of that sucker, too)
I uninstalled all the "extras" that MS thought I wanted and needed in my life.
It took a while, but there's a tutorial here for everything. If not, just ask.

I run my PC in native windows. None of the extra 3rd party software to "make it look like' another OS. It runs solid, set up the way I want it, and not the way MS thinks I should have it.
It's all a learning process. I recommend everyone, especially those with fully compatible systems, take the plunge and go for it.

Click to expand...

Well said (I gave you a "like") and I absolutely agree with everything except for OneDrive. We respectfully differ there. I've used Microsoft OneDrive continuously for 16 years, ever since it was first implemented in 2007. OneDrive is an integral prime component of my backup strategy. Having OneDrive integrated with my Microsoft 365 subscription in my Microsoft Account results in my having a full Terabyte of cloud OneDrive!

TraderGary said:

We respectfully differ there

Click to expand...

I KNOW, I KNOW. I can't help being so old school. It's in my DNA. But you ARE always respectful in our difference of opinion and I really appreciate that, Gary.

btw: by the "lengthened version" I mean the one that ends up with the category "Properties"

I use my non-specialized computer (the other is for DAW work - talk about high-learning curve) entirely for work. But for me this means an extensive number of programs, from those that support specialized skills I used in my work (the Adobe suite - I was a technical illustrator); the mechanical drawing skills I used to make my house (Vectorworks at the time--DO YOU KNOW THERE ARE NO LONGER ANY QUALITY PROGRAMS FOR FREE THAT DO RESPECTABLE 3D ISOMETRIC DRAWING? Now all that is about 3D modeling which results in a depiction of your planned house you might be able to walk through but nothing you can ever give to a carpenter--I was that guy also--to pass the codes, order the wood, electrical, and plumbing and actually build the damn thing); software to regulate my computer; a database consisting of folders, each named for a Room in the house (including Room_Outdoors and Room_workshop, etc) and containing digital user manuals for all those tools, YouTube addresses to address repairs I'd had to do, etc.), a bloated Outlook, 5 Browsers (each for a particular problem I needed to solve--and might need to do again), etc.

So when I see everything's been moved around, FOR NO GOOD REASON, (except someone new got hired who thought he knew how to do everything better than the guy before him, and needed to show his boss things were changing) and what were originally ways of getting back the drop down menus instead of having to use Ribbons (do you know how hard it is having to describe over the phone where the little picture is the person has to find instead of being able to say: "just go to File/Edit/etc."

Or the genius that takes over the company and for the sake of a new image wants to have the website redesigned so that it's impossible to log in; impossible to get a comma delimited file to see your bill on a spreadsheet (because no one knows what that is any more); etc. and you spend literally hours trying to get through to someone who's living a half-a-globe away from you.

And don't get me started on Dish TV (and the way, for example they've just handled the FIFA World Cup).

jro11 said:

btw: by the "lengthened version" I mean the one that ends up with the category "Properties"

Click to expand...

Interestingly, whenever I do a clean install these days, I no longer bother to do the registry hack to get the old "lengthened version". I now like and use the icons for cut, copy, rename, delete, across the top. And the number of times I actually need the "lengthened version" you could count on the toes of a fish.

I still have Windows 10 computers in my house. In fact, all 4 of my desktops (wife, son, daughter, mine), all still run Windows 10. None of them are currently broke and working great, so I don't bother to make any changes. It's still supported.

I also have a Beelink mini-pc that i run Windows 11 on. It's what I am typing on now. I haven't done anything to reconfigure it or try to make it like Windows 10/7/8/XP, etc. I prefer to just stick to what MS gave me and get used to it. Plus, as i try to help out on the forums, I want my experience to match what others would have. Otherwise we aren't comparing apples to apples.

My work laptop has also been upgraded in the past 6 months from Windows 10 to 11. So, I use that everyday with no throwbacks to the way things used to be. I'm comfortable in either configuration. I'm also a systems engineer for a living and manage lots of Windows 2012 R2, 2016, 2019, 2022 servers as well as Linux servers. After a while you just remember where the crap is that you need in all of these systems. I don't have the desire or time to customize this crap. All I want is stability.

jro11 said:

Why has the RightClick menu shrunk, and what needs to be done to, by default, restore their lengthened version.

Click to expand...

The first item in the link in post #2... is how to fix the context menu...

@jro11

DO YOU KNOW THERE ARE NO LONGER ANY QUALITY PROGRAMS FOR FREE THAT DO RESPECTABLE 3D ISOMETRIC DRAWING?

Have you tried Blender ? Completely freeware, works top notch for me in Win 11. I'm using it for 3D isometrics in geological mapping and modelling. In fact, it has many features I still don't yet know how to use.

Current version is 3.6.1 for Windows.

TraderGary said:

Well said (I gave you a "like") and I absolutely agree with everything except for OneDrive. We respectfully differ there. I've used Microsoft OneDrive continuously for 16 years, ever since it was first implemented in 2007. OneDrive is an integral prime component of my backup strategy. Having OneDrive integrated with my Microsoft 365 subscription in my Microsoft Account results in my having a full Terabyte of cloud OneDrive!

Click to expand...

One drive is OK - but I don't like the way if you leave the default option on it saves your files automatically to it. I like to be able to start and use this type of thing manually.

I dont mind also testing insider builds in a VM or using "Win2GO" external devices. However for day to day running a physical Windows machine I just keep it as "bog standard" as possible. You can ignore all the default installed apps in W11 pro - the bog standard W11 just works if you don't have any really specialized hardware etc - although I still prefer the W10 layout - either work OK.

I am amazed though how so many people run insider builds as their main machine and then make endless gripes about they can't boot or their system is broken. If you don't have a spare computer learn how to run these things in VM's or failing that just get an external drive and create a win2go system - it's easy enough to do all with standard windows commands. Plenty of description in these Forums. IMO if you only have a single machine and you aren't happy with VM's then the Win2go method is fine -- it preserves your running "normal " windows and gives you a testing bed on your existing hardware (no activation needed) .

The only draw back with running on external devices is that while build updates work you can't upgrade to a newer version of that build. The easiest way around that is then to use the VM approach - update the build and then "clone" the build back to the external device and re-install the bootloader. This works perfectly if you are on a Host Linux system or a Windows Host system running HYPER-V. In theory it should also work for VM's on vmware or virtual box - I haven't tested those but HYPER-V and KVM/QEMU systems work without issues.

Cost of ssd type external devices are really coming down -- a 1TB nvme device together with an usbc,usb3 /3.1/3.2 adapter costs only around €45 (less tax) and the performance on any sort of laptop made in the last 7 years or so will certainly almost match the native speed.

You can actually get a whole slew of Windows installations on a 1 TB device - especially if you use physical vhdx file.

Cheers
jimbo

jimbo45 said:

One drive is OK - but I don't like the way if you leave the default option on it saves your files automatically to it. I like to be able to start and use this type of thing manually.

Click to expand...

OneDrive works well for me because I have a Terabyte of OneDrive storage and less than 300GB of data. I keep all of my photos and data in my OneDrive folder. What makes this work is to turn "Files On Demand" OFF. This makes my Terabyte of cloud OneDrive a constant real-time mirror of all my data in my local OneDrive folder.

All my up-to-date data is always available to my second computer and to my Pixel 7 Pro phone. I always have all my data with me on all my devices wherever I go. And when I get a new computer, all I have to do is log in to Windows and I'm immediately synced with OneDrive and all my data is instantly there. I love it!

TraderGary said:

OneDrive works well for me because I have a Terabyte of OneDrive storage and less than 300GB of data. I keep all of my photos and data in my OneDrive folder. What makes this work is to turn "Files On Demand" OFF. This makes my Terabyte of cloud OneDrive a constant real-time mirror of all my data in my local OneDrive folder.

All my up-to-date data is always available to my second computer and to my Pixel 7 Pro phone. I always have all my data with me on all my devices wherever I go. And when I get a new computer, all I have to do is log in to Windows and I'm immediately synced with OneDrive and all my data is instantly there. I love it!

Click to expand...

The cloud these days is safe, reasonably cheap and usually 100% reliable -- especially if you use a trusted supplier e.g google / Ms. However I still like some backup stuff on local drives -- e.g several TB of music files -- too big to store on the cloud !!! -- a lot of that is rare long out of availability CD rips.

But for a lot of people theu shouldn't still have any "angst" over using cloud servers so long as the provenance of the server is OK.

My main point was that people who install insider (esentially beta or even alpha grade) software on their only (and required work) machine and then complain when things don't work have only themselves to blame -- using VM's or external Win2Go systems should be used in those cases.

cheers
jimbo

jimbo45 said:

The cloud these days is safe, reasonably cheap and usually 100% reliable -- especially if you use a trusted supplier e.g google / Ms. However I still like some backup stuff on local drives -- e.g several TB of music files -- too big to store on the cloud !!! -- a lot of that is rare long out of availability CD rips.

But for a lot of people theu shouldn't still have any "angst" over using cloud servers so long as the provenance of the server is OK.

My main point was that people who install insider (esentially beta or even alpha grade) software on their only (and required work) machine and then complain when things don't work have only themselves to blame -- using VM's or external Win2Go systems should be used in those cases.

cheers
jimbo

Click to expand...

Absolutely! I run my own business from home and there is no way I would risk running a beta OS on either of my two computers!