Advice Request Moving up to Win11, but what was wrong with Win10? - Startpage screenshot

[Chigwells]

I'm just upgraded my aging Thinkpad, and with it the new Win11. Did I want to move up? Not particularly. That seems to be the story with M$, a constant change despite when things work well.

Here is a screenshot of my Win10 startpage (or what do you call it, when you hit the Win key). I love it. All software apps laid out in helpful groups, very convenient and practical. In comparisom so far, Win11 has just this useless tiny page.

As usual, I'll be looking to replicate the Win10 features I don't want to give up (and customising with Winaero lol)

Question, what does yours look like, similar, or totally different?

 

[show-Zi]

Similar opinions were frequently heard when win8's start menu became a panel display specification.

If the time comes for win12 to be announced, I'm sure there will be similar opinions on the win11 start menu.
The recent Windows UI tends to be rated higher after it degenerates.

 

[Kiss]

I'm just upgraded my aging Thinkpad, and with it the new Win11. Did I want to move up? Not particularly. That seems to be the story with M$, a constant change despite when things work well.

Here is a screenshot of my Win10 startpage (or what do you call it, when you hit the Win key). I love it. All software apps laid out in helpful groups, very convenient and practical. In comparisom so far, Win11 has just this useless tiny page.

As usual, I'll be looking to replicate the Win10 features I don't want to give up (and customising with Winaero lol)

Question, what does yours look like, similar, or totally different?


View attachment 268462

oh my god what a mess

 

[wat0114]

Question, what does yours look like, similar, or totally different?

Mine is very different:



Maybe because I got rid so many Apps and Widgets? Fwiw, I really like Windows 11, probably because I'm a sucker for the new colored themes and accents

 

[Sorrento]

I really like 11 - IMO your best using 11 as it is & not try to emulate the looks of 10 - No one is forced to use 11 Windows 10 will survive for some time

 

[show-Zi]

The 11 start menu will surely not bother you once you get used to it. For me, that was when I went from 7 to 10.
It's like switching chopsticks to forks.

 

[Chigwells]

oh my god what a mess

Lol, yes I have to agree!

I should explain: what I meant was, in Win10, you have the rather excellent option to organise your software into groups. In the screenshot you can see I have my apps grouped into Imaging, Work, Anti-Malware, general utilities, and Newest. I find that really helpful, and it's been taken away in Win11. what a pointless move.

So, Question: How do you group your apps, or don't you need such?

@wat0114 @Sorrento

"I really like 11"

I agree and love it too, very happy with it, well mainly the cosmetic improvements, not so much the Telemetry! I just get baffled why they take away an excellent feature.

That was my point, and APOLOGIES for the ugly censoring

 

[show-Zi]

Lol, yes I have to agree!

I should explain: what I meant was, in Win10, you have the rather excellent option to organise your software into groups. In the screenshot you can see I have my apps grouped into Imaging, Work, Anti-Malware, general utilities, and Newest. I find that really helpful, and it's been taken away in Win11. what a pointless move.

So, Question: How do you group your apps, or don't you need such?

@wat0114 @Sorrento

"I really like 11"

I agree and love it too, very happy with it, well mainly the cosmetic improvements, not so much the Telemetry! I just get baffled why they take away an excellent feature.

That was my point, and APOLOGIES for the ugly censoring

This is my impression. Don't get me wrong. I do not intend to deny your opinion.


I had the impression that the Start menu panel took up too much screen space. Dividing into groups means that the number of panels increases accordingly. If you think about it that way, win11 may have wanted the start menu to be compact.

 

[Chigwells]

Start menu panel took up too much screen space

Hi Zi. Umm, my Start menu takes up the whole Desktop space, which I prefer.

the number of panels increases accordingly

Huh? I have just the one panel, which takes up the whole of the space i.e. same size as the desktop, with all my apps to view. Are you saying you have to scroll down or something? But you also said 'Start menu panel took up too much screen space', so I'm confused

Also, in Win11, what are we supposed to do when we have more apps that there is space available? Pin them all along the Taskbar lol

 

[show-Zi]

Hi Zi. Umm, my Start menu takes up the whole Desktop space, which I prefer.



Huh? I have just the one panel, which takes up the whole of the space i.e. same size as the desktop, with all my apps to view. Are you saying you have to scroll down or something? But you also said 'Start menu panel took up too much screen space', so I'm confused

Also, in Win11, what are we supposed to do when we have more apps that there is space available? Pin them all along the Taskbar lol

For example, if you're using Excel in full screen mode and you open a large Start Menu, won't part of the Excel table be hidden behind it? That's what it meant.

 

[Chigwells]

won't part of the Excel table be hidden behind it?

Yes absolutely. My old Start Page opens up and takes up the entire desktop, full-screen as it were. I could have my apps grouped out and I had a great overview of my apps in their groups. That was on my Win10 laptop.

How do you organise or structure your apps in this new tiny Win11 Start page?

 

[franz]

The 11 start menu will surely not bother you once you get used to it. For me, that was when I went from 7 to 10.
It's like switching chopsticks to forks.

It was the opposite for me when lived in China

 

[show-Zi]

Former Microsoft Boss Criticizes the Windows 11 Start Menu, And He’s Right

“I was shocked by the user experience,” he says

news.softpedia.com

Maybe it's time to change our perception of the Start menu. I recommend using software such as a launcher to organize your software. The straying of the start menu began around win8. Microsoft will change the specifications when the users are accustomed to it.

 

[oldschool]

Jensen Harrison really dissected M$! An absolute thrashing!