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Graham-STMC
Iron Contributor
Joined Sep 25, 2019
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Re: Microsoft engages in planned obsolescence with Windows 11
The original expectation of Windows 11 was that it was mostly compatible with 8th Generation Intel processors, but in testing some older models (6th and 7th generation) were compatible. Ubuntu and other Linux distros are great for tech enthusiasts but generally Windows still offers one of the most flexible operating systems that is flexible and backwards compatible for at least five years. I wouldn't expect anyone using a machine that is 18 years old to be running it effectively on Windows which evolves and changes as a service approximately twice annually. It makes no commercial sense to continuously support older hardware - Google and Apple don't so why should Microsoft? Enjoy Ubuntu if it suits you, it probably won't suit the majority of users.Re: Quickly share links with yourself or others with the new share menu
At least the Share button connects to different platforms. Chat and messaging is so polarised across the Internet these days. My older clients are often confused as to where messages have come from. A return to they heyday of MSN Messenger and Yahoo Messenger allowing contacts to chat to each other without the need for using the apps separately would be amazing. Microsoft has too many chat platforms itself! I believe Meta started the downfall!Re: Windows 11 File Explorer controls are potentially unclear to older users
Thanks Taco_Monster, this is what I advise my elderly clients using Windows 11 to do, but it makes life complicated for them - after the age of 80 certain things are not remembered easily and a text reminder on screen without having to click something first would be beneficial. (My eldest client is now 96 and happily using Windows 11 after recently upgrading. She loves it but finds the new Start system and icons confusing.)Re: Proposal: change the fonts on the emails
Thanks for posting this Petri-X It is something I find incredibly annoying having to scroll down almost a full screen of "title" before seeing the content! It made me wonder if the person who designed the email template actually tested it on the Windows Mail app! Opening a Tech Community email on Outlook on my phone means scrolling up two full screens. Ridiculous.Re: Windows 11 File Explorer controls are potentially unclear to older users
I have submitted this via the Feeback hub twice. I wrote this post here because I have been showing some of my clients Windows 11 over the past fortnight and many of them have said how much they like the overall design and features of Windows 11, but a few have commented to me directly that they are concerned that they will find the new File Explorer confusing to use when they upgrade their computers over the next few months.Windows 11 File Explorer controls are potentially unclear to older users
I work with many older clients over the age of 70 and several tell me they do not "read" icons very well, and prefer to look for text on screen to help them remember what the "different buttons do." The optional large ribbon of toolbar buttons in Windows 10 File Explorer made things extremely clear, with large buttons and icons with clear text explaining the common functions of copying, pasting, moving, renaming, sharing or deleting items. I personally like the minimal design of Windows 11, and it is great that the design follows through all apps, so that the icons are the same, but I would really like to see a few more text labels. I attach a suggested improvement for File Explorer:File Explorer in Windows 11 does not show text under buttons. This is confusing for older people.
I provide tech support to older consumers in their homes, teaching, streamlining, upgrading and assisting with Windows, Android, iOS and Amazon Fire (tablet) devices. Most of my clients are aged 60-85 and actively use Windows 10 linked with Edge and Outlook mobile apps (and Microsoft Launcher) on Android or iOS. Many are excited by Windows 11. The changes from Windows 10 to Windows 11 will be received well by most of my clients, because there are so many lists of text beautifully laid out, particularly in the Settings App, but many of my clients who "read all the text on their screen" before feeling confident to click or tap a button, will find the difference between the clear ribbon/toolbar buttons in Windows 10 File Explorer to the minimalistic Windows 11 File Explorer icons extremely confusing and frustrating. Please make text labels underneath the main toolbar buttons across the top of File Explorer a priority, or at least an option that can be turned on or off, pop up "tool tips" would also be appreciated. It is great that the same icons now appear in the right-click options menu, but I would hope these could include text labels below them too. These example images highlight the problem: Windows 10 File Explorer Controls - Note how visually clear the "Move to", "Copy to" and "Delete" buttons are? This ribbon is too busy with all the other options, but the main "buttons" state exactly what they do very clearly. Windows 11 File Explorer Controls seem bewildering to new users, older users or to those who are vision impaired. By comparison the OneDrive website provides a very clear yet minimal interface:Re: Quickly share links with yourself or others with the new share menu
I am very pleased to see this improvement. I campaigned at the very start of the new Edge journey for the original Share button to be included on the toolbar, which is particularly used by my older clients. These enhancements make Edge even better.Will the Windows 10 People App ever be good again?
The People App in Windows 8 used to be a super hub for contacts, different types of telephone numbers, postal and email addresses and other items. It was quite good initially in Windows 10 too but has now become fragmented, does not sync properly, and often fails to record relevant details from Google contacts. It seems to have lost its purpose and is now frustrating to use. It used to work seamlessly with the Windows 10 Mail and Calendar App on Windows 10 computers tablets and Windows 10 Mobile devices, AND the Outlook Mail and Calendar App on Android and iOS. It used to be possible to set it up to be the default contact manager on Android, using the Microsoft Account it was linked to as the primary default contact list. (Of course it would work with Cortana too but I understand why that feature has been retired.) I do not know if my bad experience is due to a change in Android or Lenovo because I have a Motorola phone, but since Android 9 and with Android 10 I am now having real problems keeping my contacts organised. I can no longer use my Microsoft Account contacts as my default list, and had to revert to Google, but often details I change on my phone are no longer carried across to the People App on my Windows 10 computers and tablet. There seems to be some confusion again between different departments in Microsoft developing features separately without a focus on the user experience - especially for those who do not use Microsoft 365 on their machines. I hope the People App, Mail and Calendar App and other stock apps within Windows 10 will be kept in focus with other developments in Office, Teams, Edge and so on.
