Progress on the Windows 11 Field Guide
The ongoing transformation of the Windows 11 Field Guide has reached a significant milestone, with the document now reduced to a mere quarter of its original size. This remarkable shrinkage is the result of focused efforts over the past two weeks, aimed at refining the content and enhancing the user experience.
Previously, the PDF version of the guide occupied 103 MB of disk space and spanned 990 pages. Today, it has been streamlined to just 73.9 MB and 839 pages. At its peak, the guide exceeded 300 MB and contained over 1,150 pages, making this reduction a noteworthy achievement.
A substantial portion of this reduction can be attributed to the complete removal of the Microsoft Edge section, which accounted for approximately 100 pages of outdated material. In its place, a more concise chapter on Edge has been introduced, though it may require further expansion in the future to meet user needs.
In addition to the content overhaul, the top-level table of contents (TOC) has undergone a restructuring, with plans for further adjustments. Numerous chapters have been updated and consolidated, including new sections on Hardware, Security, Apps, Command Line Interfaces, Virtualization, XBOX and Videogames, as well as Help and Recovery. These updates have replaced between two to seven previously separate chapters, streamlining the information for readers.
Looking ahead, there remains work to be done, particularly with additional consolidated chapters such as Multitasking, Files, and Accounts. The focus on updating the guide was prominent in June, and as July progresses, efforts will continue to finalize these updates. Following this, attention will shift to completing enhancements for De-Enshittify Windows 11 and developing new bundles for Leanpub.
While the process has not been without its challenges, including the management of thousands of reference links and consistency issues stemming from the absence of a unified style, progress is being made. Establishing a monthly update schedule will be essential to keep the guide aligned with the new features Microsoft continues to introduce.
For Thurrott Premium members, access to this guide and other technology books is included in their subscription, available in both PDF and ePUB formats. Download links can be found on the platform. Due to the size of the Windows 11 Field Guide, the files are currently hosted on Google Drive, necessitating approval for the first download. Plans are in place to transition these to direct downloads as file sizes decrease.
Stay tuned for further updates as the project continues to evolve.
