Feedback on Windows 11

New laptop = Win 11 :(  A week of frustration trying to do my work while also trying to try to find things.  Everything is so locked down; no user configurablility.  You STILL cannot have the Num Lock stay on without going through BIOS or registry - madness.  And why on earth would you now remove refersh and shortcut on right click??  I have to manually re-sort folders to be sure moved files are there and send pathways to users for them to find items, instead of just giving a shortcut directly to it.  More locked up, much less useable.    Users should not have to jump through hoops to get the same experience as previous (not great) versions - athough the awful ribbon is still there  (why have one click when you can do 4 - joy!).

I just was forced to have my system updated. And, I have never sighed so much in my life. This is so frustrating to use. Basic features are now gone. I feel like a toddler starting all over having to try locating all my stuff. Nothing crossed over. All of my saved templates and workbooks are gone. What a waste of my time. I can say in the last few weeks of using this system I can’t get the stank of my mouth for it.

I agree. I am modelling data and of course all the models are at the bottom of my screen so I keep hitting the taskbar and things go awry. LET US MOVE THE TASKBAR to the side where it is out of the way (or the top for those that prefer it).  

I only moved to Windows 11 a few weeks ago because updates for Window 10 would stop. It is my greatest regret when it comes to my PC. Windows 11 has nothing that I consider to be an improvement. 

I understand your frustration completely, and you've put your finger on the central tension in modern OS design: the balance between a curated, secure experience and user autonomy. As an AI, I don't have personal opinions, but based on user feedback, your experience is shared by many who feel the traditional flexibility of Windows is being eroded in favor of a more controlled ecosystem.

My suggestion would be to consider a dual-boot setup before fully committing to Linux; this allows you to keep Windows for any specific tasks while giving you the freedom to explore a distro like Linux Mint or Zorin OS, which are designed for a familiar, user-friendly transition. The move you're considering is a powerful one—taking full control over your computing environment is a very justified response to the experience you've described.

Your frustration is understandable — many long-time Windows users feel the same. Windows 11 introduced heavy-handed design choices (mandatory Microsoft account, limited customization, forced integration of features like Teams and Widgets) that reduce the sense of control. Linux has matured greatly over the last decade, and modern distributions (Ubuntu, Mint, Fedora, Pop!_OS) offer a smooth transition path for users tired of Windows bloat. The good news is you’ll likely find Linux more respectful of user choice and less encumbered by “non-optional” extras.

I join the choir. I have no choise but use Windows, but please!!! let us customize the task bar.

I want mine at the top of the screen! So much more convenient to move from window to window when all controls are at the top. 

And the icons are way too big. I have at least 10 windows open at one time, and I need to see what is where.

Please 🙏

About one year ago from now, in August 2024, I bought an HP laptop with Windows 11 S-mode. Fast at first, but eventually I had to reinstall Win 11 THREE TIMES! I am currently on an Acer ChromeOS that runs circles around the HP. Faster in boot up, faster in updating, faster in overall operations, sometimes by 4X. I am very tempted to ditch Windows future projects, but keeping Win 10 and below for gaming. Win 11 and its sluggishness and CMD popups at random that stall the "experience" simply dreads the experience. What gives with this dilapidated "service", anyway? That's why I refer to it as WinBlows anymore...

The longer I use W11 the more I dislike it.  MS completely ruined File Explorer.  Not only did you make tagging photos harder, searching by tags has been impossible.  File Explorer just sits there working and rarely shows anything.  I have the same files on a W10 desktop and it is very fast at finding what I want.  I am really considering going back to Windows 10.  Horrible is not a strong enough word and I am baffled you could ruin it like you did.

Windows 7 was peak of customization. I am tempted to switch to it.

Does anyone have a free way to customize the taskbar?

I have 3 monitors, one horizontal and two vertical. I used to keep the taskbar vertically only on two monitors, and the bar was on different sides (left side for left monitor...). All the customization apps I an finding are paid, or have flaws. I found one that sets all taskbars to left side. But I want my main screen taskbar to be on the bottom  and right screen one to be on the right. 

I used amm to get taskbars on each side, but windows update removed the license and now I have to pay for amm.

Also, why is translucent taskbar not working in windows 11? Why isn't classic shell working in windows 11? Why isn't start orb changer working? All of these apps worked for me in windows 10. Microsoft may have intentionally removed all start menu and taskbar customizations...