This is a question I’ve received several times from my readers who subscribe to my Windows Intelligence newsletter. They are also interested in knowing if Microsoft can fix the bugs Windows 11 had at launch almost two years ago.
There needs to be a universal solution that fits all users. It’s a great thing: If you’re content using Windows 10, you can continue to use it, and that’s fine. There’s nothing wrong with it. However, there are a few things that you should be aware of.
What is Windows 11?
Windows 11 represents Microsoft’s fresh outlook on the future of OSs for computers (OSs) currently. The current Windows OS version delivers many new tools designed for ease of use. The style is modern, sleek, precise and designed to encourage user imagination and efficiency.
Are you looking for additional helpful Windows guidance? Get my Free Windows Intelligence newsletter, which delivers all the latest Windows advice into your inbox. Additionally, you’ll receive a complimentary copy of Paul’s Windows 11 and Windows 10 Field Guides (a 10-cent value) simply for registering!
Windows 10 and Windows 11 are great versions of each other.
Windows 10 is still alive. The operating system has decades of life remaining within it. Windows 10 is better than it has ever been. There have been several upgrades since its original launch. Q1 a 2Q1 `Perhaps more importantly, Microsoft is done adding significant new features to Windows 10. It’s an excellent, stable version of Windows that doesn’t receive regular essential updates. It’s precisely what the majority of us have always wished for! However, If you want frequent updates to your Windows 11 features and you’re looking for Windows 11, then it’s time to upgrade. Windows 11.
Windows 11 is an excellent Windows operating system. It’s sleek and modern. It also has some functions that Windows 10 doesn’t offer when I’m using Windows 11 on my main PC — and typing this right now! However, there are aspects of Windows 11 that still need improvement. For instance, the Windows 11 taskbar is still a work in progress, as I have friends who stick with Windows 10 for that reason.
There’s no need to upgrade: Microsoft will continue supporting Windows 10 with security updates through October 2025. In the meantime, Windows 10 will work well as well, and in addition, Windows 10 is still a fantastic alternative.
A few people prefer Windows 10, while some might like Windows 11. There are computers which I wouldn’t recommend upgrading to Windows 11 — and there are some PCs that I would not prefer to upgrade to upgrade to Windows 10, either.
The reasons to switch to Windows 11
Simply put, Microsoft isn’t selling Windows 10 any more. New PCs are now shipped equipped with Windows 11, and any possibilities to purchase a Windows 10 PC instead have mostly gone.
Upgrades to your current PC give an option that a new one can’t provide. If you’ve upgraded the operating system from Windows 10 to 11, there are ten days in which you can reverse the upgrade. If you’ve made the switch from Windows 10 on a Windows 10 device, you have the option of reinstalling Windows 10 via a clean install.
If you purchase a Windows 11 laptop, you can downgrade to Windows 10, but not necessarily. The best option is to reach out to the laptop’s manufacturer to inquire whether those rights are in place, and that means the laptop maker has pledged to provide hardware drivers for Windows 10. There’s no assurance that a clean install will function.
Also, there’s a chance to experience Windows 11 now rather than being forced to do so. So why not give it a shot and then go again to Windows 10 if it’s still too much for you?
Windows 10 is dead.
Windows 10 will no longer have any new features, and for some, this could be an essential reason for a switch to Windows 11. However, Windows 10 is still alive because Windows 10 ends its support duration at the end of 2025. In the meantime, the Windows 10 PC will continue receiving security patches compatible with Windows 10.
Windows 11 will get features Windows 10 won’t
Certain users would prefer Microsoft to let Windows on its own, thus making the Windows users the sole agent for alteration on their computer. For those who prefer innovative capabilities… Well, expect them to appear in Windows 10 for a while. The two previous feature releases are reversing Windows 10, relegating the brand-new abilities to Windows 11 only.
Although, Microsoft has yet to release massive updates for Windows 11 with every new feature update. The Windows 11 2022 Update was a return to the regular update cycle, and Microsoft took more time to update its services and apps in contrast to Windows itself. It’s also clear that the focus of Microsoft’s attention and time are focused on Windows 11 and not Windows 10.
The Windows 11 review of the 2022 update (aka Windows 11 22H2) highlighted some of the key enhancements to Snap Bar/Snap Groups Live captioning for videos, as well as Voice Access and many other improvements. Windows 11 itself initially shipped with significant upgrades to the Settings application. It’s up to you what you think about these functions (the new Snap is our top choice); however, they have yet to be made available for Windows 10.
One of the latest functions is Bing Chat, the AI chatbot Microsoft introduced via the Windows 11 February—2023 update. Bing Chat is available within Windows 11’s Search option, but it’s not on Windows 10. It’s hard to make much of it since Bing Chat’s “feature” is an access point to Bing’s website. Bing site that opens in Edge. However, it’s an option only available for Windows 11.
Is Windows 11 worth it?
Windows 11 is worth the update for a majority of users. It has a wide variety of new features, including performance improvement, as well as modifications to the design. Being the most up-to-date Windows OS, it usually is more prevalent over Windows 10, too.
There’s little risk of switching from Windows 11 to Windows 11, either. With a bit of planning, you can easily remove Windows 11 and go back to Windows 10. With the most recent version, it’s never been more sensible to try this a go.
Windows 11 vs Windows 10
Before we dive into the reason you should or shouldn’t, let’s go through the most significant changes that have been added to Windows 11.
There’s an almost endless amount of small changes that affect everything from the look of menus to the locations of specific settings, and these are the most significant changes that you should be taking note of:
The visual design of Windows 11 has been revamped. The majority of the corners in Windows 11 have been updated to work to Microsoft’s Fluent Design style, which is characterized by rounded corners, centred text, and larger, brighter icons. The interface has been made more user-friendly via touchscreen devices, as well as doing an excellent job effectively adapting as the displays are connected or disconnected. Also, Windows applications (like Notepad) finally get the option of a Dark Mode.
New Start menu for Windows 11: It’s now at the top of the taskbar as default (though it is possible to move it to the left-right side through the Taskbar settings menu). It also has a new Start button. Windows 11 Start button opens an easier, more efficient menu called the Start menu. The new search bar is above two primary customized sections. One is for pins of applications, and the second is for apps and files Windows 11 recommends for you (like newly-opened or recently opened documents).
The new widget menu is available: Windows 11 users can trigger a menu of automatic-updating widgets as well as stories that are leaking across the left-hand corner of the display. This is a nice feature, but most of the time, it is a useless function.
The new tools to manage desktops and windows The Windows 11’s brand new Snap Assist function is one of my favourite features because it allows you to arrange the windows on your desktop more simply. You need to hover your cursor over the maximize/minimize button on the upper-right side of the app’s window, or Windows 11 will show you an array of possible window designs to select from. It is also possible to utilize the newly added Task View button on the taskbar to arrange and switch between multiple desktops. This can be an excellent method of separating the work and entertaining.
Native Android apps support: Although it’s still not fully operational, Microsoft has promised that Windows 11 will run Android applications natively, thanks to its Bridge Technology. Although this option didn’t work when it first launched, Windows 11 users can now test Android applications in a limited version. At the same time, Microsoft is moving closer to providing complete native Android application support to Windows 11.
Are You Supposed to Use Windows 10?
If you are considering upgrading, your system may not fulfil requirements for Windows 11 system requirements due to it being outdated or incompatible with the new OS. There is also the possibility that you would instead use your older programs or interfaces of the present. But, if it’s an appropriate time to upgrade your system, There are many options to choose from when you’re at the right time.
One Last Thought
If your computer is up to scratch, upgrading Windows 10 to Windows 11 is a simple process. It is the final step to decide when to take on a new challenge.