If you're forced to use Windows 11, here's how to steal some of your time back Windows 11 is now the most popular desktop operating system, finally beating Windows 10. But it's also loaded with head-scratching default settings that sap your productivity and treat you like a computer illiterate. Whether it's hiding vital file information from you or making you see advertisements throughout the UI, …
Seconded (even if a few days late). Was I the only one reading this to the tune of George Formby - When I'm cleaning windows?
Just what I thought
I'm on Debian for the last 20 years, the closest I go to Windows is my Dad's computer which is stubbornly still running Win10.
My first thought on seeing those screenshots was the same as yours: Good Grief, is it THAT bad now? You can't see for trashy clickbait "news" headlines and manipulative psyop shit. It looks like your PC is running in an iframe inside Facebook, or some expired-domain-parking site
Forget the popcorn, Where's the sickbag icon?
First: I'm running Devuan at home on most machines, I'm happy with that.
Now on to the actual comment: my workplace uses win11 (we are still in the process of migrating all users, afaik, but should be done soon). I have none of these distractions/issues except for the file types. Windows 11 professional, centrally administrated, is a hell of a lot cleaner.
My issue is the forked up start menu (the home panel actual clears itself FFS!) and the task bar that is fixed in position. Apart from this it is adequate for work. Most modern OS are.
> "Windows 11 professional, centrally administrated, is a hell of a lot cleaner."
That'll be because your administrators have set up group policies to clean it up. Yes, that is a separate step that they had to go through before being willing to deploy it. I know, because I've done it.
I wish my company did that, but they outsourced IT to the land of M$. We had mergers 10 years ago that they still haven't integrated yet. Working circuits means going on an adventure to find how the circuit goes from A to Z. Sometimes you can figuratively get there on the interstate, orher times you're hacking your way through the jungles with a machete. The only real benefit - it takes several years to be able to navigate the systems, and I'll be retired long before they get an AI faced with this to do more than sit in the corner gibbering to itself.
It is horrible. My work machine is a Win11 box. And yes, those distractions are a pain. And, Microfuckwits forces weekly updates which will sometimes change the disabled settings back to enabled. It's no fun at all, at least I'm getting paid to put up with it.
Seriously. When I was running Linux (OpenSUSE Tumbleweed) as my primary OS. I had a Windows 10 partition for gaming.[1]. On Linux, even with all the KDE desktop shiny stuff turned on, the system was barely using any resources, maybe 10% of one core while doing basic stuff. If I booted into Windows, resources were getting drained doing the same thing, and fans went from almost silent to an aircraft taking off, and that was just idle. I'll admit ignorance as to how to make it less of a resource-hog, but really, so is the average user. One shouldn't have to be experienced in administering that stuff to trim all that bloat away.
[1] I had forgotten about that when I declared myself Windows-free for so long earlier. I was wrong.
Yup, same. Purchased a modest laptop a few years ago, partitioned the hard disk, installed Ubuntu. Became increasingly convinced over the course of a few weeks that the laptop wasn’t equipped with a fan, or the fan wasn’t working. Booted into Windows one day and mystery solved. Gotta love it.
"navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows. Create a subfolder there..." Afaict, neither the default regedit nor regedit32 grants the user the ability to create a subfolder, at least not there. Is there some toggle I need to set somewhere to allow me to create a registry folder?
I have used https://github.com/Raphire/Win11Debloat on a number of Windows 11 systems, and am very happy with its behaviour. It's a PowerShell script that does many of the things in the article, and also nukes many of the useless Microsoft services. As a result, there are no widgets on my machines, and, yes, file extensions are shown. It does nothing you couldn't do by hand, but it's a lot less work. There is still, no doubt, useless junk left, but a lot less.
Wow. With that kind of growth, it might hit 20% by the end of the century.
I've had all these settings (except the search highlight one, thanks for that) for a couple of years now, and frankly I'd forgotten they were even a thing. There's nothing wrong with Win 11 that can't be fixed in a single setup session. How long did you spend installing and configuring your Linux desktop to your liking?
As part of my job, I frequently build/rebuild Win11 laptops. Much of the work is automated by system policies. But still takes a few hours to do the initial wipe/install and get all the Windows updates done. Then there's still the apps to install if it's non-standard user/build. A Linux build takes under an hour and that includes all the relevant apps.
>that Linux desktop usage
There will never be a "Linux desktop", as that kernel doesn't operate on its own.
That stat is likely from statcounter, which reports on the percentage of visitors with "Linux" in the useragent (even though correctly it would be GNU/Linux or just GNU), of a very limited number of websites that runs their useragent collector.
Many browsers also have a function where a windows useragent is reported as windows when running on GNU, which clearly would skew the results (although tor browser no longer does so).
Statcounter counts ChromeOS separately, although that is Gentoo GNU/Linux with the freedom removed - adding up the percentages results in a reported usage of GNU/Linux of >7%.
~60% of web browser clients now run Android, which uses the kernel, Linux (the main difference between Android and GNU/Linux is that Android lacks GNU) - although that popularity is not a good thing, as clearly >99% of those Android users don't have freedom.
This post has been deleted by its author
I've just spent a couple of days setting up my and a friend's new Win 11 PCs
I was anxious about the new "Start Bar" having used Win 10 and before that 7 for many years.
Not a bit of it - it's BETTER than Win 10 - you can create folders on the Start, putting them where you want them.
I'm using the same Theme as I used on Win 10 (all my PCs use the same Desktop layouts).
The Widget board.... I was initially annoyed at the "hover over" behaviour - so go into settings and switch it off... D'Oh!!!
Lock screen - set it how you want it.
Search...switch Bing off and just set it to search locally - simples! (I have Google on both Chrome and Edge for 'net searching)
File extensions - go to the Explorer "View" settings and enable them. as the OP showed - IT'S JUST LIKE IN WIN 10!!!
To me the author of this article is just trying to find reasons to NOT like Windows 11..I like it and that's that!
Windows 11 Start Menu went back essentialy to Window 3.0 Program Manager. But since that's what smartphones uses (with the Windows Phone exception), it's again what users are used to. It's also simpler to code, so Nadella can fire more developers.
Folders in the Start Menu? Since Windows 95...
"Just turn off this massive bundle of crapware, malware and shit you don't want and it's fine" is hardly an advert for an OS. Especially as you know damn well that M$ will switch most of that crap back on with every update, just like they did in Windows 10.
As far as I'm concerned the OS I use has one job - stay the hell out of my way and let me do the tasks I need. Windows 11 doesn't do that.
Exactly what I thought as I was reading the article. The very fact that all this self-serving, in-your-face clutter is even there in the first place- and that we even have to have a discussion about turning it off- is the most damning thing of all.
If you'd shown this to someone twenty five years ago, they'd have been gobsmacked- and horrified- at the very idea that shoving novelty distractions in a "serious" operating system isn't just the default in 2025, but accepted and normalised. Talk about boiling a frog.
And yes, you're spot on that they'll most likely turn all that shite back on with the next update.
Windows is utter trash.
You say "they'll turn it all on with the next update". Maybe so, but after two years it hasn't happened to my system yet.
For crying out loud, what's so terrible about spending a few minutes in a one-off session configuring a system? Didn't you do that when you initially installed whatever you're currently using?
Talk about missing the point... You've basically just agreed, somewhat more concisely, with everything the article you're complaining about was saying- i.e. both that and you are saying that out of the box, W11 is full of crap that you don't want, and that needs to be disabled one by one in order to get W11 into a state whereby it's somewhat useable.
THAT'S the point - it's not that all of this crap *can* be disabled, it's that we need to disable it all in the first place rather than the default setup being slick and streamlined and free from all this pointless cruft that just gets in the way of our being able to use our systems for the tasks WE want to use them for, as opposed to the stuff MS seem to think we'd like to be doing instead. By all means provide this stuff for anyone who desperately needs to be constantly distracted or has such a surplus of spare time that they really don't mind their PC taking longer to do stuff, include some previews of it all as part of the setup process so that we're all at least aware these bits of functionality exist, and provide a nice easy way for us to enable them if we so choose, but for the love of god don't make it the default setup for everyone.
You summarise by saying you like W11, *after* telling us that you've done all those steps to tweak it to make it likeable - wouldn't it just be lovely if you could have said you liked it directly out of the box, without any need to beat it into shape first? You know, a bit like how Windows used to be in the good old days before it became less of an OS and more of an advertising platform that just happens to be able to run applications as a side gig...
The whole idea that it is not your system - it is microsoft's.
If you want your system to truly be yours, you'd need to install GNUboot and GNU/Linux-libre (as that is the only fully free system available).
You can of course instead install a proprietary version of GNU/Linux and be able to run all the software that is available for the GNU system, but you'll only mostly control such system.
Windows contained malicious features from the very start and therefore it was always malware and therefore there were no "good old days" - although versions designed to work without an internet connection didn't contain much spyware (for example, windows XP doesn't seem to do anything on an empty desktop but connect to windows update servers without asking).
Thank heavens there is someone else who recognises that Windows 11 is a top class operating system that has many different functions that millions of people make use of on a daily basis. Of course there are many millions of people that don't use or need many of these features, so the ability to customise to personal preference is there. I've tried Linux, too much like hard work,
> "I like it and that's that!"
Er, good for you and you're quite entitled to feel that way. Pretty sure there's not a conspiracy to stop you thinking that or saying so, though.
And I've no idea why you say that as if VBF Has Spoken and that's an end to the entire discussion. When in reality that's just your personal opinion, no more and no less.
When I start typing to search for an application if I type too many (correct) characters the app I want will disappear from the results and another app with a similar name will be found. I then have to start deleting characters until I can see what I want again.
Why not find and show both at the same time?
And there are still apps/utilities that search doesn’t readily find because their filename / properties is different to the label used by the menu…
I’ve also come across the madness with Office/Outlook that search will tend to list the one you aren’t using (typically click-to-run, but more recently the new Outlook) first and give no help in distinguishing between the apps returned.
I personally preferred the classic start menu, particularly when looking for stuff you only half remember the name of.
I reluctantly migrated this week. Not because I wanted to, but to at least do it on my time and terms rather than to find out I have to rush through anything.
To keep W11 livable I used:
- Win11Debloat (get rid of all the crapware)
https://github.com/Raphire/Win11Debloat
- ExplorerPatcher (fixes the taskbar so you can actually move it to where you want, rather than where M$ tell you to)
https://github.com/valinet/ExplorerPatcher/
Do I want to move to Linux ? Yes, but I just lack the smarts and the will at the moment. Forgive me, I am weak.
Yeah a good way of dipping one's toes in. It's good to have the system you're used to always there when learning all the CLI stuff. I was a little curious about Linux back in '98-'99 but never touched it; I was too intimidated. But then OS X came out, and I could get used to the terminal without sacrificing my ability to navigate and use the OS for daily tasks.
Even better since WSL gives, what, a full distro and its package management? So there's a level of frustration I've had to deal with that WSL users won't.[1]. And good that M$ is providing people the opportunity to do so, so they can ditch it forever.
[1] To this day, Mac is inexcusably deficient in this matter. Just to have packages I take for granted on Linux, I have to run both Homebrew AND Macports, and with occasional conflicts, some just right out won't build/install.
If you have the ability to download that software and run it, you have the ability to download Trisquel GNU/Linux-libre (https://trisquel.info/), install it onto a flash drive with Rufus and try out the live image and decide if you want to install it (the Trisquel installer is much easier to use than the windows installer and Trisquel is also much easier to use than windows).
Dualbooting will be an option during the install, although note that windows has malware built in that will wipe out a GNU GRUB partition on certain updates, which will require reinstalling GRUB each time that occurs (there has been a program developed that does such automatically).
Unfortunately, full functionality of certain peripheral devices (Wi-Fi cards and GPUs are the primary offenders) being of decent quality (almost all wired NIC's, Intel Integrated, nvidia GPUs work fine and most other peripheral devices work fine too).
Trisquel is in fact better than windows when it comes to decent Wi-Fi cards - if you don't have an internet connection and plug in an AR9271, it will just work on Trisquel, while you'll need to manually install the driver on windows.
If you have an ATI or AMD GPU, or a very recent nvidia GPU, a 802.11ac or newer card, there is the option of the proprietary Debian, which will install all the convenient proprietary software without asking or telling you what was installed.
Yes, I do some setup when I do a fresh install, but you know what? I do the same on my mac (also hides file extensions, and makes it harder to turn back on) and on Linux installs.
I've never gotten the hate for Win11. It's always been better for me than 10 was. In the EU so I don't get the adds all over the place (and putting adds all over the place is just wrong), but for the rest. Meh. It's an OS and I've never used one that was perfect out of the box.
My mac has issues, but is awesome for what I use it for
My windows desktop has issues, but is awesome for what I use it for
My linux server has issues, but is awesome for what I use it for.
That said... Windows does have some quirks that are <swear emoji that El Reg doesn't support>
Windows search needs to die a death. Laptop with 20 hours of light use? Windows search will start for no reason and take 30% of the CPU for *hours*. Turn it off and the start menu no longer works. I don't care too much on a desktop machine with plenty of punch and no battery (well, I do mind, but...), but on a laptop there is no excuse.
Installing PowerToys helped tremendously with the above and other things. Fancy zones should just be in Windows.
Oh, and windows for handhelds sucks. Ally Z1 Extreme on full charge and whilst flying home one time, by the time I got a game to actually play a game, the battery was 50% flat because it wanted updates, windows search etc. Whilst flying with no WiFi, even in flight mode so Windows knows not to do anything. It's. now running beta SteamOS and is *so* much better. Better performance, and uses less battery whilst giving it!
Being better than W10 isn't much of an endorsement...
I'll also admit to preferring 11 over 10, but still find myself regularly cursing at both of them, wondering why despite years of alleged improvements to the code, and years of definite improvements in the underlying hardware performance, they feel no more intuitive or slick to use than Windows 7 did on comparable hardware of the time (I'm choosing to ignore 8, because, well, 8...), and why every damn time I try to find a particular setting, I have to search for ages to find it when stuff like that always used to be practically at my fingertips in Windows of old.
Once it's all set up and purring away somewhat contentedly to itself, then sure, the underlying platform is quite nice - stable and with some nice new features - but trying to get it to that point, or having to make subsequent changes due to installing new bits of hardware or suchlike, is painful for no good reason.
Fair comment :D
Windows 7 was a great platform - I just don't notice the difference in usability between that and 10/11.
Personally, I think that all OSs have their good and bad sides. I use Linux/Windows/SteamOS/macOS and they all shine in places and suck in places.
I love all of them. I also hate all of them :S It depends what I am trying to do. I have to spend just as long setting up macOS as I do Windows to get it working as I want. I have the least experience in Linix so that I generally just swear at and work around. I should really spend time learning as well.
I just find that the Windows hate is more of a polarized view of hating on MS (and there are plenty of reasons for doing so!) and a critique of the system. (but then as a European user I don't get the in your face adds (yet - my opinion may change if they send that this way)
Sadly, you have paid nigh on a couple of hundred pounds sterling (or equivalent) for software you don't want.
If living in the UK, next time shop around for a dealer willing to quote a price either for a bare machine or for one with a variety of Linux pre-installed. I have dealt several times with two such vendors, each shipping from within the UK. Presumably there is 'ditto' for elsewhere.
Windows has just become an advertising vehicle for Microsoft, much like the rest of the Internet. Debloat Windows on installation if you really MUST use Microsoft crap, and beware of the shit being reloaded on a system update.
Just try Linux if you can. There is really no need to have to fight an OS constantly. I certainly have better things to do.
No mention of O&O ShutUp yet?
It gives you the option of turning off all of the things, and explains why you might want to leave some of them on.
As one would believe of the expections of the humans being eaten, although I might be mistaken in that.
The fount of indispensable information of which I have deprived myself by completing avoiding Windows.
Not that some of the Linux distributions with mainstream X11 GUIs don't sport similar distractions which is why I long ago settled on Openbox and Tint2.(Long long before that Oroboros, 9wm on Unix though.)
Windows and "productivity" never seemed to be two horses hitched to the same carriage. ;)
A perpetual game of whack a mole trying to work around the failings and deficiencies of Windows and Microsoft applications, the unfortunate users tell me.
Viewing a folder by date modified now lists the subfolders first so you now have to scroll down to find the first file.
Select all is now hidden halfway down the ... menu whereas it used to be right there in the ribbon. Doesn't sound like much but when you are copying all the files from various wildlife cameras SD cards it's a tad irritating.
At least copy and paste are now given top spot in the right click menu. How many years have we been waiting for that.
Yeah, but the Delete option is now in "more options". It's pretty much the only one I ever want - I've never been a Trashcan user, even back in my Amiga days.
Also, what on earth does "Copy by path" (or whatever it is - I'm safely back on my Linux box) do?
We really need to come up with a common name for that thing, I keep wondering why people are pausing before they say "menu".
[Though I must admit I have started interpolating it as an exasperated sigh, which seems to stand up well in most contexts so far.]
Thanks for this! I've sent the URL to some friends/family.
I had to get a Win11 laptop to access my local government healthcare pages to see test results, etc. (WSA also runs my new programming language compiler just fine, so it's a good test, too!). The number of "F*** O**" shouts was quite high on first use, but after I went through everything in settings, it was reduced a lot. I had gotten about half of what you suggest. I've never used a local Search capability, so that didn't show up (maybe I removed it from the bar thingy). I can readily find *my* stuff - on Linux its programs with weird names that I can't find (very poor memory for fact-like things), so I rely on menus to help there.
Possibly not (a lot of folks hate it, as this article suggests) -- just the most used. And that is most likely because, for quite some time now, if you buy a new machine W11 is all you get offered. In IT, churn, not voluntary choice, drives adoption.
"To unhide extensions, first open File Explorer. Then navigate to View->Show and select File name extensions."
That has been part of my standard "set things how i like them not M$" since XP (i think, or was it 7 memory gets fuzzy - obvs i skipped vista as that was hella pants)
I didn't see above the hack for auto-expanding the right click options so they look like they did on 10,7,XP,2k. that was very nearly a deal killer for me on 11 until a quick google found that fix.
But basically, install LTSC and then run O&O shutup 10/11 on it to turn off the residual guff that still made it to LTSC.
Job done. Then 11 is "passable" just.
Its a good article and will be helpful for a lot of folks. I've used MS Products to earn my living since DOS331. After this latest salvo of marketing in Win11 I cracked, formatted my home machine and went for Linux Mint in utter frustration. It's month two, I'm loving it and not looking back.
Happened to me with Win7. I had to use Win7 at work, and said that if there wasn't something better than XP before XP went EOL, I was switching to Linux. There wasn't, I switched, and wished I had done it several years before. The only Windows machines at my place since then have been work laptops.
How do you turn off/disable "Focus Assist" via command line, PowerShell, or registry? My work machine inexplicably has the Settings page for that disabled somehow. I have admin access, but can't figure out how to quit silencing all notifications (like the people trying to contact me via Teams) just because I have an RDP session up.
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