That is it! Windows 11, the new operating system from the giant Microsoft was released yesterday. However, is it really a good idea to upgrade? You may have already tested the new OS in a virtual machine and if not, we recommend that you do so before you jump in.
For many years, it has been said that one in two Windows is bad and it is confirmed head-on: Windows 8 and Vista were indeed not good operating systems. Will the curse repeat itself with Windows 11? This is very likely given the 11 reasons against the OS that we have gathered below.
1 – A little early to take the plunge
If there is, one thing to do before installing an OS it is not to start from day one, especially for a Microsoft system. We are not immune to seeing bugs or crashes as soon as it is released that could jeopardize the security of your data. Moreover, at the time of Vista or Windows 8, many users had to return to the previous version because they were not satisfied with the new system technically but also graphically.
The best thing to do if you want to test Windows 11 is to install it on a virtual machine, that is to say a machine in your PC independent of your main system (you can find a tutorial here). In addition, if you do not want to wait, we advise you to back up your data well beforehand.
2 – A rather inflated minimum hardware configuration
This is the most problematic point of Windows 11: the minimum hardware requirements are far too restrictive. In question? Microsoft wants to focus on security with this new OS, so it will be necessary to have hardware compatible with recent technologies, which is not the case for a large number of users.
According to information from Microsoft, the minimum configuration is as follows:
1 Ghz and 2 cores on a 64-bit processor
4 GB of RAM
64 GB of storage
Boot in UEFI and TPM chip version 2.0
DirectX 12 compatible graphics card
Minimum 720p high definition screen
One of the things everyone is talking about on this list is TPM version 2.0. This is a chip located in the motherboard that allows secure access to your computer. Version 2 has been present since 2014 on most configurations but is not always enabled by default. In addition, that is not the worst: if you have a pre-2017 processor, you will not fit the mold.
Note that if you do not have this hardware configuration you will still be able to install Windows 11 via a simple ISO but Microsoft will cut off all access to future updates…
3 – Shortage of components: very bad timing
Microsoft could not have chosen a worse time to release a new operating system with such prohibitive minimum hardware requirements. You must have heard about the semiconductor crisis, this event caused among other things by the pandemic, which caused the shortage of many electronic components including processors and graphics cards. According to manufacturers, this shortage is expected to last until at least 2023.
What a great thing for anyone whose hardware configuration does not meet Microsoft’s requirements. If your processor is not compatible: your graphics card a bit dated and doesn’t support DirectX 12? You have a choice: either try to buy the component you need and hope that the stock is favorable to you, or you do not install Windows 11 just yet. Namely, the prices of components have exploded since the onset of the shortage and that it will not be easy for everyone to invest in new equipment, especially after the COVID-19 crisis.
4 – A familiar interface
Let’s move on to the great revival of Windows 11: its interface. The position of the taskbar has changed to center by default, colors appear more vivid, and windows now have rounded ends. Yes, in many ways the appearance of this OS reminds us of its historic competitor macOS from Apple. While Microsoft seems to be running out of steam on the originality side, the practicality of this interface is not there.
Does the taskbar seem smaller compared to Windows 10? Well no, its size is relatively the same. What does change, however, is the size of the icons: Microsoft has opted for a minimalist design, so they are barely visible and it is impossible to change this from the settings.
Did you place your taskbar on the left or right of your screen on Windows 10? Well, you will not be able to do it on Windows 11 anymore. More generally, many elements that were previously customizable will not be customizable on the new OS, a shame for those who do not like the default configuration…
5 – Where did the start menu go?
Goodbye good old start menu, hello to the start screen. After having been the subject of many changes since Windows 7, Microsoft opts for a new design and a complete rework of the famous “Start menu”. The new window is made up of pinned applications and a recommendations section that, again, cannot be customized.
Let’s start with the applications: a list of only 18 software that can be displayed when starting the menu is not very practical when you have about fifty. To display the other applications, you have to click on the corresponding button at the top right or go down to the pinned menu, a task that will quickly be tedious. The recommendations section displays recently consulted documents and software, a not very useful section on this Windows.
While the disappearance of tiles dating from Windows 8 is a good thing, this new start screen does not appear user-friendly at all. The fact that you cannot customize your appearance is also a big negative point.
6 – A too simplified taskbar?
Let’s go back to the taskbar for a moment. In addition to having smaller icons, it is in no way more practical than the previous one. Microsoft has put the package on the design of its new system by sacrificing the ergonomic side, a very bad point for a general public OS.
7 – Disappearance of certain functionalities
The withdrawal of functionalities is an advantage or a disadvantage depending on the habits of the users. As with every new operating system, Microsoft will highlight new things and remove others. Windows 11 signs the disappearance of Cortana in default application, a negative point for users of artificial intelligence who will have to go through the Store to install it. Also finished for the Timeline feature on Windows 10, which displayed a detailed history of your activity, very handy for resuming a task in progress.
8 – The omnipresence of the Microsoft account
Microsoft is proud of its ecosystem of services and makes it clear to us: OneDrive, Teams, ToDo (task management application) will be part of the software installed by default on Windows 11. But who says Microsoft service, says Microsoft account … If you thought Windows 10 was on your toes by reminding you every day that logging in with a Microsoft account is better, Windows 11 is even worse.
9 – A minimum configuration… for future updates?
In June, shortly after the announcement of Windows 11, Microsoft released a document outlining the minimum hardware requirements to run the OS and benefit from future updates. This document is much more detailed than the information relayed on the official Microsoft site and allows us to pinpoint some very interesting things. For example, it is written that:
From January 1, 2023, all devices except desktop computers must have a front camera that meets the following requirements.
The camera should have a resolution of at least HD (1280 x 720), a minimum of 15 fps and should support white balance and automatic exposure.
10 – More prominent advertisements?
You may not have known it but Windows 8, with the set of challenges it brought with it, was the start of ads in Microsoft OS. Do you know the tiles in the start menu that suggest you install a particular product or application? These actually just targeted ads refer you to the Microsoft Store.
11 – The degraded Insider experience
The Insider program started before the launch of Windows 10: it was for users to have a pre-version of the operating system to test it and report to Microsoft the various bugs still present. For Windows 11, the Redmond Company repeated the experience but many users expressed their frustration and disappointment with this new OS.
Most of the bugs reported concerned the main interface: a blank page that opens instead of the start menu, a completely empty widget table, quick access to settings impossible via the desktop, a search tool that does not work … Microsoft has been responsive in communicating about these issues. The most urgent concerns could be resolved quickly but it was specified that:
Some fixes released here in the Insider Preview builds of the active development branch may be included in Windows 11 service updates after general availability on October 5.
