Frustrated with Unnecessary Windows 11 Features? Microsoft Should Address These Essential Basics

Microsoft’s recent updates to Windows 11 have sparked significant criticism, with users lamenting the inclusion of what many consider unnecessary features. From the debated Recall feature to the integration of artificial intelligence in applications like MS Paint and Notepad, the operating system appears to be more focused on hype than functionality. While these additions might create excitement among investors, they often result in increased bloat for everyday users who are looking for streamlined performance.

Windows 11 is already plagued by numerous issues, prompting users to seek out third-party modifications for resolution. Instead of continuing to pile on flashy features, it’s high time for Microsoft to address these existing problems. Key areas for improvement include eliminating the mandatory Microsoft account requirement during setup, restoring taskbar customization options, and reducing the frequency of Game Pass advertisements. The operating system would benefit greatly from a focus on enhancement rather than embellishment.

Make Microsoft Account Optional

Even Apple Doesn’t Force You to Use One During Setup

Microsoft authenticator asking for confirmation number when signing in to Microsoft account

One of the most exasperating aspects of setting up a new Windows PC is the obligation to create or log into a Microsoft account. Bypassing this requirement involves navigating complex command-line instructions, which can be frustrating for the average user.

Although there are benefits to having a Microsoft account—such as automatic data backups, synchronized settings, and ease of access to Microsoft services—not every user desires this integration. Privacy concerns may lead some individuals to prefer using a simple local account, avoiding constant syncing of their data to Microsoft’s servers. Even Apple, famous for its controlled ecosystem, allows users the option to skip setting up an Apple ID during a Mac’s initial configuration.

Additionally, using a Microsoft account limits you to a mere 5GB of free OneDrive storage, which can quickly be insufficient for meaningful tasks like Windows backups. This limitation often feels more like a strategy to encourage users to upgrade to a Microsoft 365 subscription, complicating the user experience unnecessarily.

Taskbar Customization

Windows 11 settings page showing the taskbar settings

Windows 10 allowed for seamless taskbar placement at various edges of the screen, providing users the flexibility to resize it for better visibility. In stark contrast, Windows 11 insists on a bottom-only configuration, which can be impractical for those utilizing ultrawide or multi-monitor setups.

The widget panel presents another pain point. Users who prefer keeping their Start menu on the left encounter issues with the widget icon on the right, which inadvertently triggers unwanted news feeds as they navigate to the system tray. Although users can disable these news feeds through the settings, the process is overly convoluted, suggesting a design strategy meant to keep these distractions active.

A highly sought-after addition would be a persistent clock feature on the taskbar that displays multiple time zones. For professionals who manage work across different regions, this would be a substantial quality-of-life improvement. As it stands, users must click or hover over the clock to access time information for different locations—a function Microsoft has yet to prioritize.

Clipboard and Keyboard Shortcuts

Enhanced Clipboard History and Keyboard Mapping Options

Windows clipboard history open on Windows 11

The clipboard manager in Windows 11 (accessible via Win + V) marks progress but is severely limited. It can only retain up to 25 items in its history, with the added frustration that items disappear after a restart unless they are pinned.

This limitation pales in comparison to free third-party clipboard managers like Ditto, which can keep hundreds of items indefinitely while providing search and editing capabilities. Furthermore, the built-in clipboard doesn’t allow for item edits prior to pasting, which falls short of user needs.

Similarly, keyboard customization options need expansion. Currently, Windows 11 does not permit users to remap shortcuts fully or create customized modifier keys. For individuals who occasionally hit Caps Lock by mistake, utilizing this key for other functions requires dependent third-party software, which may not provide comprehensive remapping capabilities.

Better Window Management and Multi-Monitor Setup

Pin Apps to a Specific Screen, Create a Custom Workspace, and Enhance Multi-Monitor Experience

Setting up multiple displays in Windows 11 is relatively straightforward. Users can drag and drop monitor arrangements in the settings to match their configurations. However, issues arise when disconnecting a laptop from a docking station, as the system fails to remember the original window placements, necessitating a manual recount of window positions with each reconnection.

Moreover, currently, there is no option to pin specific applications to designated monitors or create tailored workspaces for different tasks. Users must rely on external tools like PowerToys Workspaces for such functionality, as Microsoft has not incorporated these features natively.

Inconsistent DPI scaling across monitors with differing resolutions causes undesirable effects—like blurry text and erratic window resizing—that hinder usability daily.

Fewer Ads, Please

Ads in Widgets, the Notification Panel, and Even the Lock Screen

Advertisements have permeated the user experience in Windows 11, turning personal computers into platforms for marketing. The “recommended” section in the Start menu presents app suggestions that often go unused, while the notification panel frequently promotes Microsoft 365 subscriptions. Even the lock screen features advertisements for Xbox Game Pass, contributing to the feeling that Windows 11 is prioritizing marketing over user experience.

The widgets panel, meanwhile, is filled with clickbait gossip and tabloid headlines alongside more useful updates like weather information, indicating that Microsoft has misunderstood the purpose of computers as tools rather than marketing platforms.

To further exacerbate frustrations, Windows updates often reset user preferences, reactivating advertisements and suggestions that were previously disabled. This relentless cycle diminishes users’ ability to maintain a clean and efficient workspace.

Windows 11 Needs to Focus on the Basics

Microsoft continues to chase new features while neglecting the foundational aspects that enhance usability in Windows 11. Instead of prioritizing AI integrations or new functionalities like the Recall feature, the focus should be on essential improvements: efficient window management, a functional taskbar, and the freedom to set up a PC without mandatory Microsoft account ties.

Until Microsoft actively incorporates user feedback into its development process, Windows 11 will remain a powerful operating system constrained by unnecessary bloat and less-than-ideal design decisions that detract from the overall user experience.

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