Windows 11 made its debut in October 2021, and at that time, I assigned it a score of 6.5/10. While I acknowledged its aesthetic appeal, I felt it leaned more towards style than substance. Over the years, I have revisited this perspective through a series of articles, pondering whether my initial reservations still hold true after four years of use.
Is Windows 11 my daily driver? Yes and no
Currently, I find myself navigating both Windows 10 and Windows 11 on a daily basis, with my usage split fairly evenly between the two. My personal laptop operates on Windows 10, a system I have grown comfortable with over time, while my work laptop runs on Windows 11. The transition to Windows 11 was somewhat serendipitous; after encountering hardware issues that necessitated an SSD replacement, I decided to experiment with the newer operating system. For the past six months, I have been using Windows 11 on my work machine, while also maintaining a dual-boot setup with both operating systems on my personal device.
Thus, I am indeed utilizing both Windows 10 and Windows 11 concurrently. The former remains my go-to for its familiarity, while the latter serves as a refreshing change in my routine.
Windows 11 still isn’t really my OS of choice
To clarify, I harbor no significant grievances against Windows 11. Although it lacks certain functionalities that some users might deem essential, these omissions do not particularly disrupt my workflow. My activities on Windows machines are fairly standard: writing articles, crafting presentations, developing dashboards, coding, and attending Teams calls. As I do not engage in gaming, any performance differences in that realm are of little concern to me.
In essence, I still lack a compelling reason to fully transition to Windows 11. While its aesthetics have evolved, the additional features introduced by Microsoft do not significantly impact my daily tasks. Here are some of the recent changes that have been implemented in Windows 11:
- Enhanced virtual desktops for better organization
- Improved integration with Microsoft Teams
- Refined taskbar and start menu layout
- New widgets for personalized information
While these updates are noteworthy, they do not compel me to abandon the reliable Windows 10, which continues to meet my needs effectively. Windows 11 presents new capabilities and improvements, yet for many users, including myself, the allure of a familiar and functional operating system outweighs the benefits of upgrading.
None of this will likely matter at the end
What would prompt me to switch to Windows 11 without hesitation would be enhancements that directly improve my workflow. If Microsoft were to successfully integrate Teams into Windows 11 in a meaningful way, or if AI-driven features could demonstrably boost my productivity, I would certainly reconsider my stance. However, as it stands, these advancements remain elusive.
Moreover, the impending end of life (EoL) for Windows 10, just months away, looms large. Users like myself will soon face a critical decision: cling to an unsupported version of Windows, migrate to Windows 11—which may necessitate new hardware—or explore alternatives such as Linux distributions.
There is a palpable risk that Windows 10 could become the next Windows 7, a scenario I have previously speculated about. Microsoft appears to be grappling with how to incentivize users to transition from Windows 10 to Windows 11, as evidenced by the ongoing fragmentation in the Windows market share, where Windows 10 remains the most widely used operating system.
In an effort to encourage upgrades, Redmond is implementing various strategies, but the true catalyst for change may ultimately hinge on the EoL deadline or the introduction of groundbreaking features exclusive to Windows 11. Until such developments materialize, we may find ourselves in a transitional phase reminiscent of the era of Windows 7.
Have you upgraded to Windows 11 yet? If yes, what compelled you to upgrade? If no, what are the reasons behind choosing to be a remainer? Let us know in the comments section below!
It’s been four years, and I still don’t have a strong enough reason to upgrade to Windows 11
Windows 11 made its debut in October 2021, and at that time, I assigned it a score of 6.5/10. While I acknowledged its aesthetic appeal, I felt it leaned more towards style than substance. Over the years, I have revisited this perspective through a series of articles, pondering whether my initial reservations still hold true after four years of use.
Is Windows 11 my daily driver? Yes and no
Currently, I find myself navigating both Windows 10 and Windows 11 on a daily basis, with my usage split fairly evenly between the two. My personal laptop operates on Windows 10, a system I have grown comfortable with over time, while my work laptop runs on Windows 11. The transition to Windows 11 was somewhat serendipitous; after encountering hardware issues that necessitated an SSD replacement, I decided to experiment with the newer operating system. For the past six months, I have been using Windows 11 on my work machine, while also maintaining a dual-boot setup with both operating systems on my personal device.
Thus, I am indeed utilizing both Windows 10 and Windows 11 concurrently. The former remains my go-to for its familiarity, while the latter serves as a refreshing change in my routine.
Windows 11 still isn’t really my OS of choice
To clarify, I harbor no significant grievances against Windows 11. Although it lacks certain functionalities that some users might deem essential, these omissions do not particularly disrupt my workflow. My activities on Windows machines are fairly standard: writing articles, crafting presentations, developing dashboards, coding, and attending Teams calls. As I do not engage in gaming, any performance differences in that realm are of little concern to me.
In essence, I still lack a compelling reason to fully transition to Windows 11. While its aesthetics have evolved, the additional features introduced by Microsoft do not significantly impact my daily tasks. Here are some of the recent changes that have been implemented in Windows 11:
While these updates are noteworthy, they do not compel me to abandon the reliable Windows 10, which continues to meet my needs effectively. Windows 11 presents new capabilities and improvements, yet for many users, including myself, the allure of a familiar and functional operating system outweighs the benefits of upgrading.
None of this will likely matter at the end
What would prompt me to switch to Windows 11 without hesitation would be enhancements that directly improve my workflow. If Microsoft were to successfully integrate Teams into Windows 11 in a meaningful way, or if AI-driven features could demonstrably boost my productivity, I would certainly reconsider my stance. However, as it stands, these advancements remain elusive.
Moreover, the impending end of life (EoL) for Windows 10, just months away, looms large. Users like myself will soon face a critical decision: cling to an unsupported version of Windows, migrate to Windows 11—which may necessitate new hardware—or explore alternatives such as Linux distributions.
There is a palpable risk that Windows 10 could become the next Windows 7, a scenario I have previously speculated about. Microsoft appears to be grappling with how to incentivize users to transition from Windows 10 to Windows 11, as evidenced by the ongoing fragmentation in the Windows market share, where Windows 10 remains the most widely used operating system.
In an effort to encourage upgrades, Redmond is implementing various strategies, but the true catalyst for change may ultimately hinge on the EoL deadline or the introduction of groundbreaking features exclusive to Windows 11. Until such developments materialize, we may find ourselves in a transitional phase reminiscent of the era of Windows 7.
Have you upgraded to Windows 11 yet? If yes, what compelled you to upgrade? If no, what are the reasons behind choosing to be a remainer? Let us know in the comments section below!