I believed I didn't like Windows, yet discovered my real issue is with Windows 11
I believed I didn't like Windows, yet discovered my real issue is with Windows 11
It seems your laptop is quite old, and you prefer the layout from older operating systems. That’s perfectly fine. What you’re describing fits your situation and equipment. Most users today switch to modern OS versions, but performance differences are minimal. The main factors affecting performance are browser tabs, high-quality video streaming, and resource-heavy apps—not the OS itself. Linux generally boots faster and uses less idle power, while Windows often preloads more content. Some distros even skip firewall features, which can affect security perceptions. Application launch times vary by desktop environment, but in practice, both systems perform similarly. Ultimately, what matters most is your workflow, hardware, and the apps you rely on.
Nothing about version 11 feels cutting-edge... remember when version 98 was considered fresh? Version 11 just adds rounded edges and lacks many features—still functional for a while. I've been using Windows Vista (and the best Windows versions up to now) until late 2017. The only reason I moved to Windows 10 was because my cheap ASUS motherboard failed, and I wasn't sure how to fix it. Now I still have that Lenovo laptop from back then with Windows 10 Creators Edition installed (that was the "peak" version). It's clear what "modern" means to different people—what seems new to some is a significant step back for others.
Windows serves as a professional desktop environment primarily for paid users. Home settings take a back seat. W11 enhances it by including features like a centered app launcher (ideal for larger screens), a tabbed file explorer, a more noticeable virtual desktop, efficient screen usage, and improved accessibility for people with disabilities. AI integration offers promising possibilities—such as image search via Copilot when opening an image. Although AI remains debated, its potential is clear. Beyond the OS, seamless integration of Office 365, Teams, and OneDrive adds significant value in workplace settings. While our IT team generally resists AI, the modest AI tools we currently use are appreciated. For instance, Outlook can remind you if you forget to attach a file you wrote. At home, I prefer not to enable or disable these features as much as possible, but at work, enhanced AI capabilities are essential since they drive revenue for Microsoft.
The situation is clear, but as a gaming OS it's lagging behind. It has huge overhead and includes many features that are hard to turn off or modify—especially updates. If developers made AI and other elements optional (or only with tough workarounds), there'd be no issues. It feels like it's almost too late; people will likely switch to better platforms like Steam, which is improving with Proton/SteamOS. Once Linux gains more traction, companies like Adobe will follow. For now, if you want a broad game selection, Linux might work—though it’s still quite unstable and unpredictable.
All AI functionalities can be turned off, AFIAK. We've integrated AI into phones for over five years without any complaints. Many users have chosen Alexas and installed them in their homes willingly. It's interesting that Microsoft hasn't caught on quickly, and people continue to use Alexa on their devices even longer than before. I'm surprised MS is so slow to adapt, especially now that everyone uses AI-powered phones. "Look, MS is bad and now adds Copilot to the image editor where you can erase people" – while my Pixel phone could do that four years ago and everyone loved that feature. All games, peripherals, and hardware work seamlessly on Windows. For Linux, it's probably around 90%, and for most devices, it's likely much lower. Gamers who buy the latest GPUs expect those features immediately, not when Linux might support them in a year. If you don't use any hardware that isn't fully supported by Linux or play unsupported games, this shouldn't be an issue. However, many people enjoy popular titles and use standard equipment. Running Linux usually means using a rolling distribution, which can lead to instability. Some newer games may lose W10 support in the future. Except for a few exceptions, I haven't noticed Linux games running faster overall. Performance also depends heavily on hardware from companies like AMD and Nvidia, and since many popular titles don't work well on Linux, it's hard to say they'd run better even if supported. More Linux users don’t necessarily mean more commercial software; the community often criticizes proprietary tools, viewing certain distros as betraying because they include non-free components. This attitude is driven by ideology rather than practical results. Not all Linux users are willing to pay for paid subscriptions like Office or Adobe, which means my choice isn't motivated by cost.