Published: Oct. 12, 2021, 7:30 a.m.
b'Since Microsoft officially took the wraps off of Windows 11 earlier this year, the response has been mixed. The most divisive aspect of the new interface is the massively changed Start Menu. In the past versions of Windows, we have had a semi-consistent experience. Windows 8 introduced Live Tiles and highly customizable geography for them. That continued into Windows 8.1. The concept followed into Windows 10, but the Menu aspect returned, rather than a Start Screen (though you could use a full-screen option).
Should You Upgrade?
Windows 11 has done away with every aspect of that Start Menu evolution and, instead, has changed the paradigm entirely again. First, the Start Menu defaults to the center of the screen, which is neither attractive nor functional. Fortunately, you can fix it in the settings. The menu is also oddly structured, somehow managing to take up more physical screen real estate while feeling too small to be useful. A lot of this feeling comes from the "Recommended" area, which takes up almost half of the popover. You get 3 rows of 6 apps, but also get 3 rows of recommended files. You can turn off this feature, but you do not get that real estate back. Instead, you get a reminder that it\'s turned off.
On the positive side, Windows 11 has worked hard to unify the interface. Windows 10 had a mixed experience, with large parts of the operating system still looking like Windows 7 (File Explorer), some parts looking like Windows 8 (media controls), and some looking like Windows 10 (Settings app). Windows 11 has worked to bring all of it into a single design style, with File Explorer, the media controls, and the Settings app all getting overhauls. In fact, even Microsoft Paint got its own new coat of paint for the first time in years.
In addition, Avram\'s favorite new feature is the Snap Assistance. Mousing over the maximize button on the titlebar of a window will bring up a collection of options for Snap. In Previous versions, you could drag a window to the edge of the monitor and half-screen snap. But, in Windows 11, you get a lot more choice, including 3 sections, quarters, and more.
How to Upgrade
If you\'ve decided that it is time to upgrade, it might be a challenge. Microsoft is rolling out the upgrade over several months, so you might not immediately get the "offer." But, you can get the Upgrade Assistant and upgrade right now. There is another issue at hand, though - the strict upgrade rules. If your computer is not running entirely supported hardware, there is still a way to install Windows 11.
It is important to note, though, that following these instructions can cause issues. Microsoft has said that unofficial installations will not receive official support. As of right now, we don\'t entirely know what that means, but there has been suggestion that Windows Update will not work and services like Microsoft Defender might also fail, so take these steps with consideration.
Scott is a developer who has worked on projects of varying sizes, including all of the PLUGHITZ Corporation properties. He is also known in the gaming world for his time supporting the rhythm game community, through DDRLover and hosting tournaments throughout the Tampa Bay Area. Currently, when he is not working on software projects or hosting F5 Live: Refreshing Technology, Scott can often be found returning to his high school days working with the Foundation for Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST), mentoring teams and helping with ROBOTICON Tampa Bay. He has also helped found a student software learning group, the ASCII Warriors, currently housed at AMRoC Fab Lab.
Avram\'s been in love with PCs since he played original Castle Wolfenstein on an Apple II+. Before joining Tom\'s Hardware, for 10 years, he served as Online Editorial Director for sister sites Tom\'s Guide and Laptop Mag, where he programmed the CMS and many of the benchmarks. When he\'s not editing, writing or stumbling around trade show halls, you\'ll find him building Arduino robots with his son and watching every single superhero show on the CW.
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