Windows 11 is already widely available to most users, and on the one hand, Microsoft allows users to keep using Windows 10 even after Windows 11 rolls out. So, should you upgrade to Windows 11 or stick with Windows 10?
The main reason users need to upgrade their desktop operating system to a major new OS version before Windows 11 is released is to continue getting new and exciting features. In addition, updating to a major new operating system can also receive ongoing security updates.
Despite the release of Windows 11, Microsoft has no plans to revoke Windows 10 features or security updates until at least 2025. Microsoft will release security updates to older devices that cannot or do not want to upgrade to Windows 11 version 21H2.
If you’re confused about your update choices, this guide will try to highlight reasons why you might want to stick with Windows 10 and help answer the question of whether you should update to Windows 11.
List of missing features in Windows 11
- There’s no doubt that Windows 11 has some design improvements, but if you update today, you’ll lose a lot of functionality.
Start Menu
As you may already know, Windows 11 ditched live tiles for static icons, and it is no longer possible to change the size of app icons placed in the Start menu. You can’t group icons or even change the size of the start menu itself.
- Microsoft also removed the option to open the Start menu in full screen.
- Here’s a list of all the missing features in the new Start:
- The App Folders feature is currently unavailable, but it will return with Windows 11’s 22H2 release.
- It’s not possible to delete pinned apps or just have all apps viewed.
- Items in the settings page cannot be pinned in Start.
- Recommendations provided by Microsoft cannot be deleted.
- Digital badges for in-app reminders are not supported.
Mission Board
- It goes without saying that Windows 11’s worst feature is its new taskbar.
- The taskbar is now limited to the bottom of the display, and it’s unclear if this feature will return. It’s weird that the app doesn’t get pinned to the taskbar even with mouse drag and drop.
- Here’s a list of all the missing features in the new taskbar:
- The size and position of the taskbar cannot be changed.
- Unable to unpack.
- You can’t drag and drop files onto the taskbar, but this feature will return later this year, and the ability to drag and drop app icons to the taskbar will only work with desktop apps.
- System icons such as sounds in the tray cannot be disabled.
- Microsoft has removed a full context menu for the taskbar, so the option to right-click on the taskbar to launch the task manager is missing.
- Toolbar support for the taskbar is reduced, and it is impossible to add addresses, links, desktops, and custom folders.
- Windows 10’s battery pop-up menu allows users to quickly change power modes, which have been removed in Windows 11.
- Microsoft has removed the ability to view or add calendar events.
Windows Explorer
- File Explorer is basically the same as the previous generation, but there are some features that are currently missing in Windows 11.
- There is no refresh option in the context menu, which can be a problem as explorer sometimes fails to refresh automatically.
- The new context menu does not support all the features of the classic version and is slower than usual.
- The Quick Access Toolbar has been removed.
- Folder previews are not supported in RTM builds, but this will be resolved in the 22H2 release.