ONE WEEK WITH WINDOWS 11.

For all the hoopla sorrounding the release of Windows 11, the upgrade itself is a little ho-hum.  So far, ugrading to Windows 11 is the single most uneventful Windows upgrade I have ever done, and I have done them all.  Whether as a clean upgrade, as I did for my own computer, or as an in place upgrade that does not delete any files or applications, the results have been very positive. What the upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 reminds me is of is the upgrade from Windows 98 to Windows 98 Second Edition. Yes, there were some minor visual changes to the user interface, but most of the improvements came under the hood.  As it was with Win98SE, the improvement in performance is immediate and noticeable.

There was not one application or device that did not work right away, including my crappy, cheap Canon printer.  SyncToy installed and runs with no problem.  My ancient graphics package, PhotoDraw 2000 (circa Win98SE), runs flawlessly, which I could not say with Windows 10 or 7. Lastly, on the noticeable imrovements in performance, my cellular broadband connects much faster and stays connected far better than under Windows 10. 

But visual changes there are.  So we will look at the visual changes most commented on.  Let's start with the Splash Screen.  Although it is different, it is also familiar looking.  Same random image of some exotic locale. But the date and time have been moved.  Looks like a cell phone lock screen to me.

Much has been made about the Rounded Corners of open windows that are not maximized.  Yes, Virginia there are rounded corners. You can decide whether or not this is heresy.

Next we will look at FILE EXPLORER.  And again there is that damnable deviation from the Windows Standard that has always been — SQUARE CORNERS — the Rounded Corners of Beelzebub! I mean WHAT THE HELL WERE THOSE BOZOS IN REDMOND SMOKING ANYWAYS?!

The START MENU has seen the most obvious changes with more logical placement of common controls.

I suppose if one assumes that all change is bad, then the improved START MENU of Windows 11 may not be for you.

Of course, Windows 11 does come with its annoyances.  I mean, it just wouldn't be the 21st Century if it didn't come with annoyances. Fortuntely, the annoyances can be turned off. In fact, Windows 11 maybe the most easily customizable version of Windows yet.

If your computer is within 2 years of age, there is simply no reason not to upgrade to Windows 11.  The in place upgrade does not delete anything.  It will not change how you do anything.  The increase in performance is not subtle; it is immediately appparent.  Files load quickly and everything seems very stable. The in place upgrade takes less than 2 hours depending on your connection speed.

And if your PC is not Windows 11 compatible, Windows 10 21h2 will be released in early November.  So set your watches. 

Gerald Reiff