Microsoft has promised to evolve Windows experience to the next level with Windows 11. The Windows 11 does pack lots of design and usability improvements over Windows 10. But it is not without its flaws and there are many missing Windows 10 features that users have already voiced about.
Microsoft also removed or depreciated many Windows 10 features officially in Windows 11. So, in this article we take a look at missing and officially removed major features in Windows 11.
Ability to move Taskbar, Taskbar menu & ability of not combining open apps:
Microsoft removed many Taskbar features in Windows 11 but the one that disappointed people the most is the lack of ability to move Taskbar. As one can see currently Taskbar is only allowed to be pinned to the bottom of screen. This is already the most requested change in Windows 11 in Feedback hub.
Taskbar menu that used to appear after right-clicking on Taskbar is another missing feature that many want back. Currently when you right-click on Taskbar in Windows 11 you only see “Taskbar settings” option.
Windows 11 has also removed the ability of “not combining open apps” on the Taskbar. This is another most requested missing feature in the Feedback Hub.
Here are the officially removed Taskbar features by Microsoft.
- People is no longer present on the Taskbar.
- Some icons may no longer appear in the System Tray (systray) for upgraded devices including previous customisations.
- Alignment to the bottom of the screen is the only location allowed.
- Apps can no longer customise areas of the Taskbar.
Dragging & Dropping of files on apps icons in Taskbar to open them in the app:
It was possible in Windows 10 to drag and drop a file on apps icons in Taskbar to open them in the app. Windows 11 has removed this feature but users want this feature back and it is again one of the most requested feature to be added back to Windows 11.
Calendar Flyout missing 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 was quite helpful and Windows 11 ditching this feature has not gone well with many users who have requested Microsoft to add it back.
Start Menu has lost many features:
Start Menu has seen significantly 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. You can also not resize Start Menu on Windows 11.
- Named groups and folders of apps are no longer supported and the layout is not currently resizable.
- Pinned apps and sites will not migrate when upgrading from Windows 10.
- Live Tiles are no longer available. For glanceable, dynamic content, see the new Widgets feature.
Other notable Windows 10 features missing in Windows 11:
Desktop Wallpaper roaming:Desktop wallpapercannot be roamed to or from device when signed in with a Microsoft account.
Quick Status: Quick statusfrom the Lockscreen and associated settings are removed.
Math Input Panel: Math Input Panel is removed. Math Recognizer will install on demand and includes the maths input control and recognizer. Maths inking in apps like OneNote are not impacted by this change.
Timeline: Timeline is removed. Some similar functionality is available in Microsoft Edge.
FAQs
The following taskbar features are no longer available as of Windows 11: Support for moving the taskbar to the top, left, or right of the screen. Support for changing the size of the taskbar or its icons. "Time" is not displayed in the calendar when clicking on the "Date/Time" on taskbar.
What is missing in Windows 11 compared to Windows 10? ›
You can no longer sync your desktop wallpaper; Internet Explorer and the Math Input panel are gone; and a few apps are also removed. Those apps are 3D Viewer, OneNote for Windows 10, Paint 3D, and Skype. You can still find those in the store, though.
What does Windows 11 remove from Windows 10? ›
Windows 11 removes these Windows 10 features, including Cortana
- Cortana is demoted yet again.
- Internet Explorer is over.
- Tablet Mode will go away.
- Quick Status banned from the lock screen.
- Resizable Start screen.
- Taskbar tweaks.
- RIP Timeline.
- Smaller changes.
Optional features has been moved to system section is Setting App recently. Open Settings > System then scroll down to the button, you will see "Optional Features". 10 people found this answer helpful.
Does everything on Windows 10 work on Windows 11? ›
We have continued our compatible by design approach from Windows 10 to Windows 11, through our multiple efforts across validation, discovery and partner outreach. Based on these efforts, we have a positive signal of the continued compatibility with Windows 11, to the same standard as Windows 10.
Is everything on Windows 10 compatible with Windows 11? ›
Will my existing apps and hardware devices work with Windows 11? Most apps and devices that work with Windows 10 should work as expected under Windows 11. The newer operating system is sufficiently similar to its predecessor that the differences shouldn't pose a problem for most apps.
What are the negatives of upgrading to Windows 11? ›
Top 10 Cons & Disadvantages of Windows 11
- System Requirements.
- User Interface Changes.
- Software Compatibility Issues.
- Privacy Concerns.
- Forced Updates.
- Cost.
- Limited Gaming Performance.
- Integration with Microsoft Services.
Upgrading your system from Windows 10 to Windows 11 will not erase all your files. After the update is completed, you should have access to all user files that were previously available in Windows 10.
Why Windows 10 is still better than Windows 11? ›
For users who prioritize stability and compatibility with a wide range of software, Windows 10 may be the better choice. However, for those who prefer a more visually appealing and modern interface, as well as newer features and improved security, Windows 11 may be the better option.
Does going back from Windows 11 to 10 delete files? ›
Note: The Go back option is only available for 10 days after you upgraded Windows. Once 10 days have passed, the system will delete the old files to save space as well as the go back option will be unavailable and removed from settings.
[Update - March 2024]: WordPad will be removed from all editions of Windows starting in Windows 11, version 24H2 and Windows Server 2025. If you're a developer and need information about the affected binaries, see Resources for deprecated features.
Does going from Windows 11 to 10 delete files? ›
If it's been more than 10 days after a successful upgrade to Windows 11, going back to Windows 10 will require you to perform a Clean Install of Windows 10 where you first need to backup your important files as they will be deleted in the process.
Where to find Windows 10 features? ›
Use the Windows Settings app to add or remove features
- Right-click on the Start menu and select Settings.
- In the left hand pane of the Settings app, select System.
- In the right hand System pane, select Optional features.
To begin this process, press the Windows key on your keyboard and the letter R at the same time to open a Run window. Type appwiz. cpl into the Run window and select OK. In the Programs and Features window that appears, select Turn Windows features on or off.
How do I reset Windows features? ›
To reset your PC, go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Reset this PC > Get Started.
What Windows features can I turn off Windows 11? ›
7 annoying Windows 11 features you should turn off right now
- Pop-up banner notifications. ...
- Start menu notifications and recommendations. ...
- Targeted Microsoft ads. ...
- 4. News feed from Widgets. ...
- Optional diagnostic data and feedback. ...
- Unnecessary startup apps. ...
- Search highlights from Bing.
64-bit processors only
Windows 11 will only be released for 64-bit systems, so computers with a 32-bit processor will not be able to upgrade.
What are the limitations of free Windows 11? ›
Functional Limitations of Unactivated Windows 11
Running an unactivated Windows 11 is similar to using a demo version of a software. Key features, especially related to personalization, are disabled. You cannot change the wallpaper, theme, lock screen, or custom accent colors.
Why don't I have optional features on Windows 11? ›
Go to Settings > Apps > Optional Features to find and install the optional features.
