Forum Discussion
Windows 11 vs Windows 10: A Comprehensive Comparison of Features and Performance
Feature Windows 11 Windows 10
| User Interface | Fluent Design with new Start Menu and Taskbar | Classic Start Menu and Taskbar |
| System Requirements | 64-bit Processor with 2 cores, 4GB RAM, and 64GB Storage | 64-bit Processor with 1 GHz clock speed, 2GB RAM, and 20GB HDD |
| Widgets | Integrated Widgets for quick access to information | No integrated Widgets |
| Virtual Desktops | Improved virtual desktops with snap layouts and new animations | Virtual desktops with limited functionality |
| Touch Controls | Improved touch controls for touch devices | Limited touch controls |
| Gaming Performance | Improved gaming performance with Auto HDR and DirectStorage | Similar gaming performance to Windows 11 |
| Microsoft Store | Redesigned Microsoft Store with support for Android apps | Traditional Microsoft Store |
| Security | Enhanced security features with Windows Hello and TPM 2.0 | Similar security features to Windows 11 |
| Multitasking | Snap Layouts and Snap Groups for improved multitasking | Basic multitasking capabilities |
| Task Manager | Updated Task Manager with more details and options | Similar Task Manager to Windows 11 |
| File Explorer | Redesigned File Explorer with a new layout and features | Traditional File Explorer with limited features |
| Start Menu | New Start Menu design with pinned and recommended apps | Classic Start Menu with limited features |
| Cortana | Separated from search and no longer integrated into the taskbar | Integrated into the taskbar |
| Updates | Automatic updates with fewer interruptions and improved control | Similar update process to Windows 11 |
| Compatibility | Improved compatibility with new hardware and software |
Windows 11 and Windows 10 are both operating systems developed by Microsoft, but there are some key differences between them. Windows 11 features a new user interface with a redesigned Start Menu and Taskbar, improved touch controls, enhanced security features, and integrated widgets for quick access to information. It also has improved virtual desktops, gaming performance, and multitasking capabilities. Windows 11 requires a 64-bit processor with 2 cores, 4GB RAM, and 64GB storage, while Windows 10 requires a 64-bit processor with 1 GHz clock speed, 2GB RAM, and 20GB HDD.
Windows 11 has a redesigned Microsoft Store with support for Android apps, while Windows 10 has a traditional Microsoft Store. Windows 11 also has an updated Task Manager with more details and options and a redesigned File Explorer with a new layout and features. The Start Menu in Windows 11 has a new design with pinned and recommended apps, while Windows 10 has a classic Start Menu with limited features. Cortana is separated from search in Windows 11 and is no longer integrated into the taskbar, while it is integrated into the taskbar in Windows 10.
Both operating systems have similar security features, update processes, and compatibility with hardware and software. However, Windows 11 offers improved performance and features compared to Windows 10, making it a better choice for those looking for a more modern and efficient operating system.
45 Replies
- It could be better if Windows 11 had the default option to disable automatic update. This happens too frequently and eat up more disk space.
luladineace I have no experience with Win11 yet, but in Win10 you can not turn them off either from what I've found... Have to set network as a metered connection and it won't update until you do it manually..
rahulkhorwal Windows 10 is better
Material investment is faster and more efficient
Lists are easier
The appearance is more lively
The design of Windows 11 is very, very bad and uglyon frustrating so called "improvement" in Windows 11 is the outrages "Modern Standby" S0. It is supposed to save wake time but does the opposite.
My older (7 years old) Windows 11 Laptop comes out from S3 sleep in no time.
This new S0 does noting much besides turning of the screen.
Even The option to turn of network connection was not an immediate suggested option. I had to go through the internet to find out how to get this option.
Microsoft forces PC manufacturers like Dell to disable S3 in the firmware for no reasonable reason.
Now I have to use Hibernate instead. Which makes my laptop turn on time much longer
Thanks for the list, rahulkhorwal. The following criticism is in no way directed at You.
I also am a bit miffed with the apparent reduced customizability. I installed windows approx. 2 weeks ago.
What I've run into, so far: I'm not enabled to ...
- ... reduce the size of the taskbar and or taskbar icons
- ... automatically unhide all system tray icons
- ... customize the start menu
- ... customize the right-click context menu
I understand that things like these are minuscule parts of what an OS does. Still, I don't really understand why it's necessary to remove these choices. As a user I run into these limitations constantly. Please enlighten me :-).
Maybe I'm naive. Also, I could have researched this before upgrading, but I really, really did not expect that upgrading would entail less, not more, functionality.
While there may be registry 'hacks' or third party software that fixes these issues, future Windows updates void these. But it seems that is the only choice at the moment.
To me it feels like "pay more, get less". This is probably unfair as there are probably are multiple improvements under the hood. Nevertheless, that's my feeling. And yes, I'm a annoyed, but the criticism is meant constructively!
Otherwise, Windows 11 is running smoothly.
Apologizing for any language errors. English is not my first language.
Thanks for reading.
Jacob_BH Jacob? I really appreciate you candidness. There's really nothing naive about your assessment of Windows 11. By comparison to Windows 10, you present being spooked by Windows 11 omitting Windows 10 features which made your Windows experience more convenient. Among those thngs Windows 10 enabled you to do which Windows 11 doesn't are having the option to:
* reduce the size of the taskbar and or taskbar icons.
* automatically unhide all system tray icons.
* customize the start menu
* customize the right-click context menu
* and so on.
Far from Windows 11 running smooth -- by comparison to Windows 10. Sort of disturbing on this side of things since I have Windows 10. But I believe in the Microsoft Windows ethics in terms of its overall service excellence (not withinstanding the fact that 365 is to me an overdone piece of A.I. crap. No program should be so terrible as to allow scrolling without user permission and instructions for user to do extra things and waste time learning how to keep this from happening. I shouldn't happen to begin with]. Other than that, I'd rather stay with Microsoft because it has security features and options I don't believe any other web entity 'automatically' has in place.
But your feedback is very important to me in that Windows 10 will be gone in 2025. Windows 11 will be in full force. So the issues you've had with Windows 11 help prepare me for what's up ahead. I won't like it for perhaps all the same reasons. But just like you've adapted, so will I since Microsoft is the most reliable on the web -- as far as I'm concerned. I don't work for Microsoft in any capacity, but in spite of its flaws, for me it's the best, safest way to go.
No language or written errors, by the way. Your post is perfect for me. Thanks for writing it.I agree with you, although I wish Microsoft would allow unsupported machines to upgrade to Windows 11. My Pc covers all the requirements except the model for my processor
This doesn't look like a unbiased comparison. E.g. it says:
Start Menu New Start Menu design with pinned and recommended apps Classic Start Menu with limited features A 'Classic Start menu' is one of Windows 7 or Windows XP. Somewhere during the W10 lifecycle the W10 menu became very usable with a full free definable layout of groups, icons in several sizes, etc. So what this should have been is W11 - W10:
Start Menu New Start Menu design with limited features, impossible to arrange content or resize menu plus a recommended apps section which can not be turned off, wasting space if a user keeps it empty. Windows 10 extensive menu which can be fully customized Together with other imposed limitations compared to W10, like the impossibility to move the taskbar to the right of the screen (a logical place with wide screens) I won't install W11, even if W10 support stops. Does Microsoft really wonder why the market share of W11 is so low and so slowly growing? Here's an answer. With deliberately taking away useful W10 options (Why? Most users would work with whatever defaults Microsoft sets anyway) Microsoft will keep (especially power) users on W10.
rahulkhorwal Copilot is introduced in Windows 11.
I think in future it will be integrated to be able to do anything like organising windows, open folders, maybe even install softwares instead of using chocolatey(like how MAC users used homebrew) or the respective software package.
So the Copilot usage will be as ubiquitous as the Windows start menu because it can probably do everything that the start menu does and can also do everything that current Bing copilot/Microsoft copilot search website does.
rahulkhorwal it looks to me your summary is a bit biased, there is nothing negative from Windows 11.
In my opinion the functionalities present in Windows 10 has been removed without notify the users, for example the possibility to move the taskbar to any side (bottom, top, right, left) is not anymore supported.
Just to add few other useful, at least for me, functionalities:
- what about live tiles ? Not supported anymore
- in W11 there is a lot of improvement for gaming; what about professional usage (please do not start the discussion to use W11 pro/enterprise) ?
- maybe only me, but I did not find any way to have the list of installed program and Apps listed like in W10 when I click on Windows icon (AKA start)
It is a common feeling the W11 is more Mac look and feel oriented. Does it mean Microsoft is unable to create an attractive graphic interface to compete with Apple and they gave-up, hence try to gain market share by using a more Mac oriented GUI ?
Unfortunately W10 will be out of support by Oct '24 otherwise I will revert back to it.
Ricc57 I don't see any bias in his comparison. Also windows 10 is supported til Oct '25 not 24 genius
- notreallynikhil this is your opinion.
And, first of all, learn how to respect the opinion of the others.
I could have made a mistake on EOL date for W10 and there is no reason to be offensive.
If I were the admin, people like you will be immediately banned.
My 2 cents
- If Win11 didn't go out of their way to simplify the user experience (i.e. get rid of redundancy) I would upgrade, however, there are too many features of Win10 that are crucial to me that are not supported on Win11 (i.e. pinning folders as "toolbars" on taskbar).
Thank you for your comparison however, it was a good read.
