In a new support document, Microsoft explains seven tips to get the most out of Windows 11, sounding a little as though the company is struggling to persuade Windows 10 users to move on up to the new version.
Despite ZDNet's observation that many people have been annoyed by its clumsy layout and lack of customization, the tips praise the new Start Menu. Microsoft opted for a retro redesign, as suggested by Lance Whitney, instead of improving and improving the previous menu designs from Windows 7 and 10.
Microsoft's document encourages users to master Snap layouts, saying they result in a boost in productivity. Additionally, they encourage users to create multiple desktops to keep work, personal, and entertainment separate, which "helps keep everything tidy," which is always good, right?
There’s a tip which focuses on widgets, to provide personalized news, weather, calendar reminders and more, explaining that they’re accessed by pressing the Windows and W keys.
And it talks about breaking work up into manageable chunks and using Focus sessions, logging in with Windows Hello and facial recognition instead of the bore of entering passwords, and advocates Dark mode for being easier on the eyes.
Finally, it reminds readers that a deadline is approaching, on Oct. 14, from which time no software updates will arrive for Windows 10.
The tips have been met with mixed reactions, to say the least. Windows Latest says the support document, “isn’t interesting at all, and it fails to give reasons that might actually convince users to try Windows 11. It also looks like the document was written by an intern at Microsoft or AI because it confuses 'icons' with 'live tiles' in the Windows 11 Start menu. Before going on, 'This list feels underwhelming', it concludes.
It appears that Microsoft needs to do more to persuade users to upgrade.
