Microsoft has significantly changed several Windows features, focusing on cloud integration at the expense of traditional usability.
Troubleshooting Transitions
Windows' built-in troubleshooters were once easy tools for diagnosing issues like speaker or Wi-Fi problems. These have been replaced by the Get Help app, which relies on internet connectivity and a scripted process, complicating even network troubleshooting.
Settings Shift
The venerable Control Panel has seen features migrated to the new Settings app. This split has caused inconvenience, as some settings remain accessible only in Control Panel, causing back-and-forth between interfaces.
Menu Modifications
The right-click menu in Windows 11 now hides common actions behind a "Show more options" command, adding layers and slowing workflows.
Start Menu and Taskbar Changes
The Start menu has been simplified into an app launcher with fewer options and occasional ads. Meanwhile, the taskbar has lost its previous flexibility in customizing placement and pinned items.
Local Account Limitations
Windows setup processes have become more insistent on Microsoft account sign-ins, reducing the feasibility of using local accounts and complicating workflows for those preferring offline accounts.
Overall, Microsoft's changes have shifted Windows towards a more integrated, yet less user-controlled environment.
