The announcement of Windows 11 in the summer of 2021 took many of us by surprise. With Microsoft initially stating that Windows 10 would be the final version, the arrival of a successor after six years was unexpected. Personally, I wasted no time installing the new operating system – first on a virtual machine and then on my main PC. Since then, my experience with Windows 11 has been a mix of love and frustration.
Recently, I shared my grievances about Windows 11, discussing aspects I liked least, such as the requirements for TPM 2.0 and an internet connection during installation, the presence of advertising widgets, and the complexities of managing folders in the start menu. From my perspective, these were some of the primary drawbacks of the system.
However, it’s not all negative. Throughout the two years of using Windows 11 daily, spending more than 12 hours a day in front of it, I’ve discovered numerous functions and features that I absolutely adore. These experiences have dissuaded any thoughts of switching to Linux or macOS, and I’ve found myself increasingly appreciating the advantages and capabilities that Windows 11 offers.
The biggest successes of Windows 11
One of the most criticized aspects by users, which I personally appreciate the most, is the centered taskbar icons. Having an ultra-wide monitor, having everything stacked on the left was quite bothersome. Now, with all the icons centered, working with Windows has become much more comfortable for me.
The new volume and brightness controls are another detail that I really like. They are now much smaller, rounded, and thankfully no longer located at the top left of the screen. When I use the hot keys to adjust the volume or brightness, I get to enjoy this sleek design.
Windows File Explorer has undergone significant changes, both for better and worse. One standout improvement is the introduction of tabs to the browser. Finally, we can open multiple folders simultaneously in tab format, something we’ve been waiting for years. Moreover, tabs have made their way to other programs like Terminal or Notepad.
Another feature that I find extremely useful and use daily is the window dock or Snaps. With this functionality, I can easily arrange windows on the desktop in various configurations, allowing me to keep them all in view at the same time. This used to require third-party tools like PowerToys in Windows 10, but now it’s a native feature that requires no additional configuration.
Furthermore, Microsoft’s Terminal app has been a great success. It enables us to have several command consoles open simultaneously, whether it’s CMD, PowerShell, Bash, or even Azure. For frequent command users, it almost feels like working on Linux.
Of course, Windows 11 has many other excellent features. Automatic HDR, the completely reorganized new configuration menu, and the addition of Spotlight for wallpapers are worth mentioning. With the latter, we get a fresh background on our PC every day, adding those delightful little touches that make Windows 11 a fantastic operating system.