Microsoft has removed (depreciated) many Windows 10 features officially in Windows 11. In this article we take a look at missing and officially removed major features in Windows 11 as well as new features for you to use.
Settings
Where to find it: Right click on the Start menu and select Settings. You can also use the Search bar to find “settings” as shown below:
Taskbar
Taskbar menu: The Taskbar menu used to appear after right-clicking on Taskbar. When you right-click on Taskbar in Windows 11 you only see “Taskbar settings” option.
Use the Settings app to make changes.
Ability to move Taskbar: By default, the Start menu and active application icons will be centered at the bottom of your screen.
To change the alignment of the taskbar, open the Settings app by clicking on the gear icon in the Start menu.
Click on Personalization, then Taskbar.
Choose Left or Center under Taskbar behaviors.
The taskbar will move to the left side, like this:
Other notable taskbar changes:
- The People feature is no longer present on the Taskbar.
- Alignment to the bottom of the screen is the only location allowed. You are no longer able to pin the taskbar to the left or right side of your screen.
- Apps can no longer customize areas of the Taskbar.
- Users are no longer able to drag and drop files to applications on the Taskbar to quickly open the file
Calendar
Calendar fly-out does not include events: On Windows 10 it was possible to see the events listed below the Calendar in the flyout, when one used to click on the date and time. This feature is no longer available in Windows 11; you will only see the calendar dates.
Start Menu
Start Menu has lost many features: The Start Menu has seen significant changes in Windows 11 and now has two major sections “Pinned apps” and “Recommended apps”. The third section that sits below these two has user profile and standard folders (if you chose to pin them). Microsoft has removed Live Tiles and named groups and folders in Windows 11.
- Named groups and folders of applications are no longer supported.
- Pinned apps and sites will not migrate when upgrading from Windows 10.
- Live Tiles are no longer available. For quick access to content, see the new Widgets feature.
- You are no longer able to resize the Start menu in Windows 11
Other Start Menu features:
- To view a list of all your installed apps, click the All Apps button.
- The Recommended section displays recently added and recently opened apps and files.
- You can customize the Start menu by adding and removing apps. If you want to add an app that can be accessed from your Start Menu, click the All Apps button. Find the app you want to add in the list, then right-click on it and select Pin to Start.
- You can also right-click on an icon that you don’t need or want to see on the Start menu and select Unpin from Start. The icon will then be removed from the Start menu but will remain in the All Apps list.
- You can further personalize your Start menu from the Settings > Personalization > Start menu.
Other notable Windows 10 features missing in Windows 11
Desktop Wallpaper roaming: Desktop wallpaper cannot be roamed to or from device when signed in with a Microsoft account.
Quick Status: Quick status from the Lockscreen and associated settings are removed.
Quick Status removed from the lock screen: Microsoft used to allow Windows 10 users to place “apps” on the Windows 10 lock screen, so you might see an upcoming calendar notification or an alert about the weather. This functionality has been replaced by Widgets, in Windows 11.
Math Input Panel: Math Input Panel is removed. Math Recognizer will install on demand and includes the math input control and recognizer. Math linking in apps like OneNote are not impacted by this change.
Timeline: Timeline is removed.
Setting defaults
Edge is the default, but not the only: On Windows 11, Microsoft Edge is the default browser experience to navigate the internet, open web links, and view PDF files. However, you can change it and make the system default to Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or another browser.
If you would like to change this default to Chrome or another preferred browser, please use the following steps.
Open the Settings app, then click on Apps and Default Apps:
Use the Search bar under “Set defaults for applications” to find your preferred browser. Please be sure you have already downloaded/installed the app prior to searching.
You are also able to set defaults by file type and link type by scrolling to the bottom of the Default Apps window:
(OPTIONAL) To change the default for viewing PDF files, click the .pdf protocol and select the Switch anyway option to make your preferred browser the new default. The image below uses Google Chrome as a new default, as an example. Notice the .pdf option remained set to Edge:
(OPTIONAL) To change the preferred browser for opening links in Outlook (sent via email), open Outlook > File > Options > Advanced > under File and browser preferences change the “Open hyperlinks from outlook in” drop down to “Default Browser”
Select the browser, then confirm your choice by clicking on the Set Default button:
New to Windows 11, that was not available in Windows 10
Here are a few of the standout new features in Windows 11:
A new, more Mac-like interface. Windows 11 features a clean design with rounded corners, pastel shades and a centered Start menu and Taskbar. Windows 11 is easier on the eyes and easier to use. We took the best elements of Windows 10 and refined them to create a soothing place to work and play.
Widgets. Widgets are new for Windows 11. It’s best for staying up to date with all the things you need to keep tabs on: schedules, weather, stocks, sports, etc. More info: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/stay-up-to-date-with-widgets-7ba79aaa-dac6-4687-b460-ad16a06be6e4
Microsoft Teams integration. Teams is getting a face-lift and is pinned on the Windows 11 Taskbar, making it easier to access (and a bit more like Apple's FaceTime).
Natural Narrator. To read, or to be read to? Natural Narrator can turn text into spoken words. Narrator is a screen-reading app that's built into Windows 11, so there's nothing you need to download or install. This guide describes how to use Narrator with Windows so that you can start using apps, browsing the web, and more. More info: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/complete-guide-to-narrator-e4397a0d-ef4f-b386-d8ae-c172f109bdb1#WindowsVersion=Windows_11
Seamless Redocking. If you connect your PC to an external display, Windows 11 can remember where you had those windows when you leave, come back, and reconnect. This feature is new and exclusive to Windows 11.
- Select Start > Settings > System > Display.
- Scroll down and select Multiple displays to expand that section.
- Select the boxes for Remember window locations based on monitor connection and Minimize windows when a monitor is disconnected.
Live captions. With live captions on Windows 11, speech in incoming audio (such as through a Microsoft Teams call) can be transcribed into captions.
- Turn on the Live captions toggle in the quick settings Accessibility flyout. (To open quick settings, select the battery, network, or volume icon on the taskbar.)
- Press Windows logo key + Ctrl + L.
- Select Start > All apps > Accessibility > Live captions.
- Go to Settings > Accessibility > Captions, and turn on the Live captions toggle.
Windows Studio Effects. Background Blur, Eye Contact, Voice Focus, and Automatic Framing. Better video calling awaits. More info: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/manage-cameras-with-camera-settings-in-windows-11-97997ed5-bb98-47b6-a13d-964106997757
Cortana. Cortana has also been kicked off the Windows 11 Taskbar. Cortana will exist solely as an app, and probably largely unchanged from what you’ll find in Windows 10.
Snip & Sketch. The Snipping Tool remains, but it’s sneakily been replaced with the functionality of Snip & Sketch, which you can find in the Start menu or the Search bar.
Important note for Surface Pro users: Tablet mode no longer available
For more information or to review the sources used for this guide, please visit:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-US
https://www.pcworld.com/article/394769/windows-10-features-removed-from-windows-11.html
https://thewincentral.com/top-windows-10-features-missing-in-windows-11-currently/
https://www.cnet.com/tech/computing/every-difference-you-should-care-about-between-windows-10-and-windows-11/