Hate is a strong word, but I don't like Windows 11

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Perceived regressions and everyday annoyances in Windows 11

  • Multiple comments focus on removed or broken basics: vertical taskbar gone, arbitrary limits on pinned apps, oversized taskbar with wasted space, missing drag‑to‑open behavior on taskbar icons (compared to macOS Dock), inconsistent right‑click menus.
  • Users report sluggish UI: Explorer, Start menu, file operations, and even simple menus can feel like 24–30fps on powerful hardware.
  • Some say fundamental tools (Notepad, Snipping Tool, Terminal) intermittently fail to launch or error out.

Notepad, Wordpad, and forced AI integration

  • Strong frustration that Wordpad is removed and Notepad is being “bloated” with tabs, auto‑restore, and especially Copilot/AI.
  • Some liked tabs/auto‑recover; others say session restore ruins the “instant scratchpad” use‑case and made them abandon Notepad.
  • There’s speculation that high Notepad usage made it a target for AI metrics.
  • Concern that AI features and telemetry are being pushed primarily to increase engagement and data collection, not user value.

Security, updates, and control

  • One commenter notes that Windows 10 security support can be extended via LTSC/redeployment, so running totally unpatched isn’t necessary.
  • Many dislike forced feature changes: AI, ads, reversed privacy/anti‑adware settings, and un‑opt‑outable updates that re‑enable junk.

Linux and macOS as escape hatches

  • Several people report switching to Linux (Mint, Fedora KDE, Arch+KDE, Bazzite, Zorin, Ubuntu) and finding it equal or superior for daily use and gaming (via Proton/Steam).
  • Others argue there is still a “Linux tax”: rough edges in GUI polish, hardware compatibility, and setup, especially on new laptops/GPUs.
  • Debate over packaging: some praise apt/dnf as more coherent than Windows/macOS installer chaos; others say average users still just “sudo whatever” without understanding.
  • macOS is described by some as the most polished remaining desktop, but with its own recent performance/UI regressions.

Broader diagnosis: industry‑wide decline

  • Several see Windows 11 as emblematic of a wider trend: performance and UX no longer prioritized; middle‑management and AI/engagement metrics dominate.
  • Comparisons to past Windows releases (ME, Vista, 7, 8) vary, but there’s broad agreement that 11 feels worse in fundamentals despite enormous hardware.