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(Image credit: Microsoft)

Windows 11 2H22 update screenshots

Windows 12 may not be coming this year after all. Perhaps one reason is that Microsoft is already struggling to get users to give up Windows 10 and migrate to Windows 11. How can Microsoft encourage users to make the switch? Promote its best features? Better performance? AI functionality? Apparently not.

After that, the ad goes on to explain how good the Windows File Explorer and security features are. Honestly, there’s not much wrong with either of those in Windows 11. I like File Explorer’s tab function, though I’d like to see Defenders' phishing functionality improved. The thing is, Windows 10 has reasonable security capabilities and we got on just fine with its File Explorer for years. Neither of these upgrades are anywhere near enough in themselves to encourage users to make the switch.

But promoting a new start menu? Sheesh! I hardly use the Windows 11 start menu for anything other than to turn off my PC. I have the important File Explorer and settings icons pinned to the taskbar and I dislike the way it pops up right in the middle of the screen. Windows 10’s resizable tiles were a benefit to me, I liked having the ability to resize my favorite apps tiles. It was especially beneficial on my laptop’s touch screen. I don’t think the Windows 11 start menu is in any way a game changer.

Obviously this ad is targeted at less computer savvy users who are chugging along happily with Windows 10. But, why risk breaking all your files and apps if you don’t have to? I totally understand the reluctance of users to upgrade when what they have now is perfectly adequate in their eyes. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

Thinking of upgrading?(Image credit: Microsoft)Windows 11 review: What we think of the latest OS.How to install Windows 11: Our guide to a secure install.Windows 11 TPM requirement: Strict OS security.

Thinking of upgrading?

(Image credit: Microsoft)Windows 11 review: What we think of the latest OS.How to install Windows 11: Our guide to a secure install.Windows 11 TPM requirement: Strict OS security.

(Image credit: Microsoft)

Windows 11 Square logo

Windows 11 review: What we think of the latest OS.How to install Windows 11: Our guide to a secure install.Windows 11 TPM requirement: Strict OS security.

For me, the real benefits of Windows 11 are with things like Android app integration, gaming in windowed mode, the screenshot tool, snap windows and support for upcoming technologies like DirectStorage. I think the stock apps selection is better too.

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Less important to me, but important to others, are things like CoPilot and increasing AI functionality, phone and laptop integration (I hate signing in everywhere), and its better widget support among others. Those are all things a lot more worthy of promoting.

Perhaps the biggest issue to consider when upgrading is whether your hardware is up to the task. The need for a relatively recent CPU and particularly TPM 2.0 security prevents a lot of users from doing so. If I had something like a well functioning 6th or 7th Gen system with Windows 10, I’m highly unlikely to want to go out and buy a new PC to get a downgraded start menu.

If Microsoft wants to convince folks to cough up for a new PC to run Windows 11, it’ll have to do better than that. It needs to promote its better gaming features, performance and superior native applications. And, it’ll have toconvince us why we need AI functionality. That’ll be much more of a game changer than any start menu ‘upgrade’.

More about windowsA debloating wizard has managed to get Windows 11 running on just 184 MB of RAM, and it looks like it can actually run appsWindows 11 24H2 is the unwanted holiday gift that keeps on giving thanks to Auto HDR game crashes, audio device woes, odd bouts of stuttering and moreLatestToday’s Wordle answer for Sunday, January 12See more latest►

More about windowsA debloating wizard has managed to get Windows 11 running on just 184 MB of RAM, and it looks like it can actually run appsWindows 11 24H2 is the unwanted holiday gift that keeps on giving thanks to Auto HDR game crashes, audio device woes, odd bouts of stuttering and moreLatestToday’s Wordle answer for Sunday, January 12See more latest►

More about windowsA debloating wizard has managed to get Windows 11 running on just 184 MB of RAM, and it looks like it can actually run appsWindows 11 24H2 is the unwanted holiday gift that keeps on giving thanks to Auto HDR game crashes, audio device woes, odd bouts of stuttering and more

More about windows

A debloating wizard has managed to get Windows 11 running on just 184 MB of RAM, and it looks like it can actually run appsWindows 11 24H2 is the unwanted holiday gift that keeps on giving thanks to Auto HDR game crashes, audio device woes, odd bouts of stuttering and more

Windows 11 Task Manager showing 11 GB RAM use with a sad face drawn on top

A debloating wizard has managed to get Windows 11 running on just 184 MB of RAM, and it looks like it can actually run apps

A debloating wizard has managed to get Windows 11 running on just 184 MB of RAM, and it looks like it can actually run apps

A photo of the Windows update menu, showing that I’m all up to date

Windows 11 24H2 is the unwanted holiday gift that keeps on giving thanks to Auto HDR game crashes, audio device woes, odd bouts of stuttering and more

Windows 11 24H2 is the unwanted holiday gift that keeps on giving thanks to Auto HDR game crashes, audio device woes, odd bouts of stuttering and more

LatestToday’s Wordle answer for Sunday, January 12See more latest►

Latest

Today’s Wordle answer for Sunday, January 12

Wordle today being played on a phone

Today’s Wordle answer for Sunday, January 12

Today’s Wordle answer for Sunday, January 12

See more latest►

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The Last of Us season 2 trailer is a brief look at a story you should probably just play yourself in April

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Square Enix launches new anti-harassment policy to protect its employees and partners from abusive fans

The Sims begins its 25th anniversary celebration next week with a Behind The Sims episode of news and announcements

Path of Exile 2 numberlord spends 16 straight days killing rare monsters to prove that a stat that makes loot better makes better loot

Palestinian developer raises more than $200,000 to make Dreams on a Pillow, a game about the horrors of the 1948 Nakba

Piranha Games will lay off employees after Mechwarrior 5: Clans ‘performed below projections’

Marvel Rivals’ latest update quietly killed the game’s burgeoning mod scene

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