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Windows 11
- Thread starter AutomaticApple
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I am also heavily invested in both Apple and MS/Android. I flop back and forth between Mac and iOS & Windows and Android. I have a ton of paid apps and programs on both ecosystems.. I include Android in Windows ecosystem as Android phones work much better with Windows than iOS, especially if you have a Samsung like I do..
Neither ecosystems have me locked in..
I basically followed Nokia onto the platform as I always loved their hardware, the cameras were incredible (particularly the N8 then the 808 pure view/ Lumia 1020). I really liked the live tiles for displaying info in an organised way (and I like the similar implementation iOS now has). I stuck with them right up until Microsoft **** the bed with the W10 update then pretty much washed their hands of the platform, it’s really a shame it didn’t get more traction as more choice on phones would be welcome currently IMO.
So, I've been using Windows 11 for the past few days (Insider preview build) - I certainly have mixed feelings. I'd like to preface my observations below by saying that they're reflective of my opinion (yours will likely vary, and that's okay). I've also been a Windows Insider (fast ring, dev ring, etc.) since the program commenced, so I have pretty much tested every single build that's been flighted over the last few years. By that I mean I have witnessed the evolution of Windows 10, and was very happy with its general direction.
1. The centered taskbar is great - may take some time to get used to it, but it works okay. They have played around with the right-click menus (not sure why), but for example, right clicking anywhere on the taskbar only allows you to access taskbar settings. If you're looking for the traditional taskbar right-click menu, then you must right click on the Windows icon. I don't see the value-add of such changes - they're unnecessary and hinder basic OS functionality.
2. I'm not a fan of the new start menu at all - I thought the Windows 10 start menu was fantastic, and absolutely did not warrant any change. Programs I needed could be pinned and grouped, I had a list of all my programs that I could scroll through, and the search bar was very intelligently embedded at the bottom as well. I don't find the Windows 11 start menu to be an improvement in any department - it's just different (not better).
3. The search bar embedded in the taskbar was genius, and now its a separate workflow - again, its a different way of using/accessing the same functionality, but not necessarily better.
4. The new Action Center is also a missed opportunity - I prefer being able to click or right/click on the option I want (volume, networking, etc.) and getting immediate access to the settings I need. The new combined Action Center is confusing, wastes space and everything (literally everything) takes at least one click more to access vs. Windows 10.
5. I like the new notifications, but they're currently wasting a lot of space - I'm sure this will be refined over the coming builds. Not sure why the notifications pane is paired with time and date - makes no sense to me.
6. The desktop right-click menu looks nice, but the refresh option has been removed. This will no doubt make a lot of users unhappy (people like to refresh the desktop, regardless of whether there's anything to refresh - haha). Also, if this is truly a re-imagining of Windows, then come up with an elegant new solution which retains and/or enhances functionality vs. Windows 10 - adding a 'show more options' button to present the legacy menu is just lazy IMHO.
7. Windows Explorer is simplified, which is great, but to be honest I've been using 'Files' (https://files-community.github.io/) which is a far superior alternative in terms of design and usability (tabs, QuickLook support, etc.) vs. Explorer. I'd encourage everyone to try it out - it's not perfect, and has some bugs, but I still prefer it to Explorer.
8. The new settings app redesign is great, and a step in the right direction. The legacy control panel still exists, and I hope everything in there is eventually integrated into the new settings app.
9. There are still traces of legacy UI (e.g., run, winver, file properties, other settings in Windows Explorer), which prevents Windows 11 from coming across as a new holistic user experience. Again, I hope these things are fixed down the road.
10. Performance has been great, and the OS, even the current build feels quite snappy (boot time, app opening, etc.) - so definitely an improvement.
11. In Windows 10, I liked the taskbar weather widget - I could quickly glance at the weather, and go into my widgets if required. It also took up the perfect amount of space. In Windows 11, I don't have this information at a glance, and the new Widgets shade takes up half my screen - not cool.
At the moment, Windows 11 just feels like a coat of fresh paint, one which doesn't necessarily improve my workflow in any meaningful way (except for window management, which is exceptionally well thought out and implemented - incredibly useful and miles ahead of macOS).
Thought I'd chip in with my $0.02 - what do you guys think? How has your experience been so far?
1. The centered taskbar is great - may take some time to get used to it, but it works okay. They have played around with the right-click menus (not sure why), but for example, right clicking anywhere on the taskbar only allows you to access taskbar settings. If you're looking for the traditional taskbar right-click menu, then you must right click on the Windows icon. I don't see the value-add of such changes - they're unnecessary and hinder basic OS functionality.
2. I'm not a fan of the new start menu at all - I thought the Windows 10 start menu was fantastic, and absolutely did not warrant any change. Programs I needed could be pinned and grouped, I had a list of all my programs that I could scroll through, and the search bar was very intelligently embedded at the bottom as well. I don't find the Windows 11 start menu to be an improvement in any department - it's just different (not better).
3. The search bar embedded in the taskbar was genius, and now its a separate workflow - again, its a different way of using/accessing the same functionality, but not necessarily better.
4. The new Action Center is also a missed opportunity - I prefer being able to click or right/click on the option I want (volume, networking, etc.) and getting immediate access to the settings I need. The new combined Action Center is confusing, wastes space and everything (literally everything) takes at least one click more to access vs. Windows 10.
5. I like the new notifications, but they're currently wasting a lot of space - I'm sure this will be refined over the coming builds. Not sure why the notifications pane is paired with time and date - makes no sense to me.
6. The desktop right-click menu looks nice, but the refresh option has been removed. This will no doubt make a lot of users unhappy (people like to refresh the desktop, regardless of whether there's anything to refresh - haha). Also, if this is truly a re-imagining of Windows, then come up with an elegant new solution which retains and/or enhances functionality vs. Windows 10 - adding a 'show more options' button to present the legacy menu is just lazy IMHO.
7. Windows Explorer is simplified, which is great, but to be honest I've been using 'Files' (https://files-community.github.io/) which is a far superior alternative in terms of design and usability (tabs, QuickLook support, etc.) vs. Explorer. I'd encourage everyone to try it out - it's not perfect, and has some bugs, but I still prefer it to Explorer.
8. The new settings app redesign is great, and a step in the right direction. The legacy control panel still exists, and I hope everything in there is eventually integrated into the new settings app.
9. There are still traces of legacy UI (e.g., run, winver, file properties, other settings in Windows Explorer), which prevents Windows 11 from coming across as a new holistic user experience. Again, I hope these things are fixed down the road.
10. Performance has been great, and the OS, even the current build feels quite snappy (boot time, app opening, etc.) - so definitely an improvement.
11. In Windows 10, I liked the taskbar weather widget - I could quickly glance at the weather, and go into my widgets if required. It also took up the perfect amount of space. In Windows 11, I don't have this information at a glance, and the new Widgets shade takes up half my screen - not cool.
At the moment, Windows 11 just feels like a coat of fresh paint, one which doesn't necessarily improve my workflow in any meaningful way (except for window management, which is exceptionally well thought out and implemented - incredibly useful and miles ahead of macOS).
Thought I'd chip in with my $0.02 - what do you guys think? How has your experience been so far?
I've been using Windows 11 for a few days on a Surface Laptop 4 and I agree with much of what you're saying. One did I did was removed the search icon from the taskbar. It felt unneeded on Windows 10 and also feels unneeded on Windows 11. If you open the Start Menu and start typing, it immediately jumps into search anyway.
I like the centers taskbar, but I had my taskbar centered on Windows 10 as well so having it native is awesome for me.
On MacOS I use an app called Magnet which is a window manager that basically mimics Window's window management system so I love that. I also really like the new "Control center" for wifi, bluetooth, quick controls, etc. It feels much closer to phones and MacOS. I do wish they'd allow it to be more customizable. I'd like to add a toggle in here to switch between light/dark mode.
I like the centers taskbar, but I had my taskbar centered on Windows 10 as well so having it native is awesome for me.
On MacOS I use an app called Magnet which is a window manager that basically mimics Window's window management system so I love that. I also really like the new "Control center" for wifi, bluetooth, quick controls, etc. It feels much closer to phones and MacOS. I do wish they'd allow it to be more customizable. I'd like to add a toggle in here to switch between light/dark mode.
This is a great insight on the use of an insider preview of Windows 11. I just hope that some of the shortcomings are addressed in the final version. At least the performance seems to be good.
That was the queation i was going to ask on here but you beat me to it.Will Windows 11 persuade anybody to switch over from macOS?
Probably not, but we will have to wait and see!
Microsoft will unveil 'the next generation of Windows' on June 24
Microsoft's Windows event is now official, and it's happening this month.www.windowscentral.com
I have been watching people on youtube saying they will switch to Windows 11.
After the amazong M1 macs i would have thought that a lot of Windows useres would have moved over to Mac.s
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Google will require new apps on the Play Store to use App Bundles instead of APKs
App Bundles are currently supported only by the Play Store and not, say, the Amazon App Store, which is coming to Windows 11.
Looks like Google will put the kibosh on Microsoft”s Android app fanfare fairly quickly. No more APKs. Developers will focus on the more prevalent store, the Google Play Store.
I do the same thing. I don't know how you have the money for both the App Store and the Google Play Store.
UWP was one good thing (or idea) that came out of Windows 10 Mobile. Being able to create one app with a unified design for all user interfaces was genius.
Your point has been further reinforced...
Windows 11 for Mac in the Works, Says Parallels Desktop
The popular software for virtualizing Windows on macOS, Parallels Desktop, has confirmed that support for the newly announced Windows 11 is in the...
www.macrumors.com
Assuming you don't rely on certain Windows/Mac apps.Linux is a good choice.
Don't jump the gun yet. There will always be a way...Google will require new apps on the Play Store to use App Bundles instead of APKs
App Bundles are currently supported only by the Play Store and not, say, the Amazon App Store, which is coming to Windows 11.www.gsmarena.com
Looks like Google will put the kibosh on Microsoft”s Android app fanfare fairly quickly. No more APKs. Developers will focus on the more prevalent store, the Google Play Store.
Oh wow, I did not know that -- thanks! I've also removed the search bar icon from the taskbar.
Apps are generally cheap and I've been accumulating them over time. I don't have many paid Programs on either platform as I can generally get by with the free options available for the light video and photo editing I do...I do the same thing. I don't know how you have the money for both the App Store and the Google Play Store.
My 1st Windows machine was 3.1 if I remember correctly and I've been using Mac's since 2007. I have and still use the @mac.com email address.. I think you had to pay $99 a year for it and a few other 'perks'.. LMAO!
Is it? Windows is about to lose the native developers it still had. Windows will become a collection of non optimized, energy drawing, UI/UX non coherent apps. True, Windows will sell as OEM. But who would still want to invest time in the MS ecosystem? Just build an electron, android, whatever app and the Windows user will be grateful there is some app.That's about to change.
Zoom, OBS Studio, and Canva all arrive as full apps in the new Windows 11 Microsoft Store
Microsoft's plan to let more 'real' apps into the Microsoft Store for Windows 11 pays off, with some big titles showing up early.
MS might have killed off its remaining native developers in the nearby future.
Don't count on it. Most stick to what they are familiar with. The shift to come will be made by Chromebooks fed to children at school.
Oh well! Nobody cared when Microsoft actually tried. Windows users just want backwards compatibility and Microsoft has delivered, especially in regards to the Microsoft Store.
The market has reacted otherwise.
It drives me crazy that they pushed for native JS web applications with winJS in Windows 8 but removed that in favor of PWAs and a React Native workaround that works like garbage. Disappointed to no end, really wanted to get into Windows app development with js but that’s history now
Over the years, whenever Microsoft gave developers more options to develop apps using cross-platform technologies, the usual response is to ring the bell of doom and gloom about the demise of native, optimized Windows apps... and with it, the mass exodus of developers.
It never happened then, it won't now. The only arena where Microsoft completely flubbed it, numerous times, was with Windows Mobile. No one would know that Microsoft was the pioneer in the mobile space and that their OSes were arguably more advanced at its height of maturity than iOS and Android were just a few years ago.
Developers of enterprise, institutional, and vertical apps are not going to use technologies like electron to develop the central frameworks for their system. Sure, there might be the one-off widget or end-user tool written as an Android app, but for the most part, the systems will be developed using native software tools.
I say this as a software developer who has been in the industry longer than most people here have been alive... and with that...hey kid, get off my lawn!
What's wrong with PWAs?
As a side note, I'm very excited about this!
1549103 - Bring Firefox (Quantum) to the Microsoft Store as a Packaged Desktop Application (UWP/AppX/DAC)
RESOLVED (nobody) in Marketing - General. Last updated 2021-10-25.
Sure. Huge corporation have legacy software. But look at what MS is pulling. Teams is an electron app to be replaced by a web app.Over the years, whenever Microsoft gave developers more options to develop apps using cross-platform technologies, the usual response is to ring the bell of doom and gloom about the demise of native, optimized Windows apps... and with it, the mass exodus of developers.
It never happened then, it won't now. The only arena where Microsoft completely flubbed it, numerous times, was with Windows Mobile. No one would know that Microsoft was the pioneer in the mobile space and that their OSes were arguably more advanced at its height of maturity than iOS and Android were just a few years ago.
Developers of enterprise, institutional, and vertical apps are not going to use technologies like electron to develop the central frameworks for their system. Sure, there might be the one-off widget or end-user tool written as an Android app, but for the most part, the systems will be developed using native software tools.
I say this as a software developer who has been in the industry longer than most people here have been alive... and with that...hey kid, get off my lawn!
I quote 'According to Järvi, the app's performance is better than the Electron version of Teams. Järvi notes that a version with native code would be even better, but that might not ever happen.'
Even MS abandons native win apps. The only thing keeping windows away from a void on native development is
1 legacy software
2 older developers who might need to switch one day
3 the school system emphasizing .net
4 immaturity of some new cross platforms frameworks with security concerns
Well, I finally got Windows 11, build 22000.51, working under Bootcamp in a partition on the hard drive part of my Fusion Drive (that's the way Bootcamp Assistant partitions the drive on a Fusion Drive).
Steps taken --
I now have Big Sur 11.4 as my main OS, with a copy of Monterey 12, and Windows 11 all running off the internal drive on my iMac.
Steps taken --
- Install Windows 10 edition of your choice under Bootcamp.
- Update
- Download the Windows 11 edition of your choice from UUP Dump and run the Windows cmd file.
- Read (or write) a good book while this is going on.
- Follow the instructions on this site to prepare a Windows 11 .iso file. I used the notes in the section about modifying the ISO image without using UltraISO. I downloaded the oscdimg app from this site using this link.
- Finish reading or writing your book while this is going on.
- Mount the .iso file when it is finished, and run setup to update your system to Windows 11.
- Catch, cook and eat dinner while this is progressing.
- Enjoy.
I now have Big Sur 11.4 as my main OS, with a copy of Monterey 12, and Windows 11 all running off the internal drive on my iMac.
Using a Fusion Drive isn't bad after all? How's the speed? I don't think I've ever owned a Mac with a Fusion Drive, but I could be wrong.
Not to mention that they're finally going to put it in the Microsoft Store...
Microsoft Teams 2.0 will cut memory usage in half.
I'd love to try it out on a Virtual Machine. I imagine that VMware will do the work to make it possible in the near future.