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Windows 11 is finally getting fixed. After years of complaints about bloat, ads, broken updates, and AI, Microsoft is making major changes to Windows 11.
Our Senior Editor Zac Bowden broke down the changes in an article and Bowden and Editor-in-Chief Daniel Rubino talked about the changes in a special episode of the Windows Central Podcast.
Microsoft will add back fan-favorites to Windows 11, such as the option to move the Taskbar, and improve things under the hood.
System performance, File Explorer, Windows Subsystem for Linux, and Windows Search will all receive upgrades. Microsoft also promises a faster and more consistent Windows 11 with fewer ads and forced AI integrations.
Microsoft is also working with OEMs and driver vendors to help with stability.
Several follow-up pieces from Bowden break down other changes on the way, such as restoring the option to pause Windows updates forever, and speeding up context menus, folder navigation, and file transfers.
It all sounds like a dream come true... or a trillion-dollar company fixing issues it created. It depends on your perspective.
Sure, we could all focus on the fact that users have asked for these changes since before Windows 11 launched, but I look at it differently — Microsoft is actually listening.
Weekly Windows Wrap: The Big News
I'm fairly certain this change in strategy is in response to possible dings to Microsoft's bank account and potential earnings rather than some wake up call to altruistically make Windows 11 the best it can be.
In past editions of the Windows Wrap, I've covered Windows 11 as an OS in crisis, broken Windows 11 updates, a controversial new Start menu, and the MacBook Neo filling a gap left by Microsoft Surface.
Those are all just a taste of the negativity surrounding Windows 11. At some point, it all adds up and Microsoft has to make changes or lose ground to macOS, Linux, SteamOS (Linux-based but unique), and other alternatives.
Earlier this year, Microsoft promised to reduce pain points in Windows 11. When I gave Microsoft a pat on the back for taking a step in the right direction, many pushed back. Now, we're one step closer to seeing meaningful changes.
But folks, the fight isn't over. Microsoft finally listened to feedback because the noise got loud enough and other tech giants started circling Windows 11. We need to continue to push Microsoft to make changes, even as we credit meaningful improvements that roll out.
Even within Microsoft, there's jostling to improve Windows 11. A Microsoft Vice President is "working" on removing the requirement to use a Microsoft account to use Windows 11.
There's a lot wrong with Windows 11 (and a lot right, but we'll focus on that another day). Microsoft is grabbing some low hanging fruit, such as letting us move the taskbar, while making more substantial changes under the hood and behind the scenes.
Shopping with Sean
It will be a bit before the upcoming changes to Windows 11 roll out, but they should make their way to PCs. That means a new PC you buy today will get even better down the line.
But even if they never gained another feature, the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 and ASUS ZenBook A14 are solid PCs worth picking up when at a discount. The Zenbook A14 is especially noteworthy because it outshines the MacBook Neo when discounted to $699.99.
Those laptop deals end soon, so make sure to take advantage of the discounts if they're the right PCs for you.
I also recommend the HP OMEN 27qs gaming monitor at $349.99. It's an impressive 240Hz gaming monitor with 1ms GtG response time and HDR support.
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