Learn how to adjust pull-out actions on the left and right sides in Windows 11 using a tablet.
Learn how to adjust pull-out actions on the left and right sides in Windows 11 using a tablet.
You're noticing significant differences in how Windows 11 handles navigation compared to Windows 10. On your Surface Pro 8, the slide-out menus now lead to the Widgets section or the calendar, which offer limited customization options. The three-finger gesture for quick settings is inconsistent and doesn't always work as expected. Usability has dropped noticeably, especially with multiple browser windows open. Adjusting the taskbar size via registry changes helped but caused layout issues. Hiding the start menu improved space but reduced accessibility when using a keyboard. The absence of a dedicated tablet mode further impacts your workflow.
Swipe up from the action center button next to the clock. What device are you using? Have you changed the display scaling? Tablet mode has been removed and is no longer functional due to the significant navigation enhancements in Windows 11. I’m quite puzzled about this.
Thanks for your feedback! I modified the display scaling several times to get a comfortable setting and chose 150% since the auto-hide taskbar is off. I can go up to 200% as long as the taskbar remains hidden. I preferred 175%, though I noticed some awkward bolding at the bottom when scaling isn’t optimal.
Regarding navigation, when you swipe up on the action center button, are you referring to the tiny icons with network, sound, and battery symbols? You tap them directly? I wasn’t aware swiping was possible. That icon feels difficult to interact with at smaller sizes, especially when the taskbar is visible. Clicking it demands a visible taskbar, which means I can’t hide it for clearer visibility.
If the left swipe menu displayed widgets rather than just “view all apps,” you wouldn’t need the start menu on your screen, reducing grouping issues. Personally, I don’t prefer tablet mode; Windows 10 still feels more natural for me.
I’ve used Windows mobile devices since the early days and owned a Windows 8.0 tablet that was later updated to 8.1. I also own four Surface Pros. I’m curious why Windows 11 seems to improve navigation so much, even though many navigation options are gone. Is the widgets view significantly better than just seeing all open windows? And does today’s date offer smoother navigation compared to the quick-settings menu?