To prepare us for W11:



I already have an earlier version installed. No big deal.

I'll move to W11 when its development is complete (probably not until next year). When completed, it should make a gaming PC faster and have more security than W10.

Sounds nice (and this isn't directed at you, of course), but it's the same BS blather that Microsoft claims every time they get ready to cram another OS down our throats. I've been involved in the computer industry professionally for almost 40 years now, and this happens every time - and it's always (always) far (far) from reality. If you look "under the hood" Windows has many of the exact same components that it did in W7. They slap on some new (often hideous) cosmetic changes - redefining 'lipstick on a pig' IMHO - and push everyone an(other) incremental step toward charging us all a monthly fee for the privilege of using their POS Operating System.

B@stards.

Skeptical? Simple, just ask yourself: If this were such a great idea (for anyone *other* than Microsoft), then why would they have to keep forcing it on everyone? Why's it always free these days? (Bonus: Anyone remember the 'browser wars' of the mid-late 1990s, when MS finally made IE free? Most people are either too young to remember, or didn't/don't know enough about computers to realize the significance of these events.)

The lemmings that just toe the line and swallow...are to blame for this.

Don't get me started...oh, wait...too late.

A not unreasonable viewpoint.

Right now the "claim" is that W11 will improve some things. But, I expect the improvements to be small. Like you wrote, not that much actually changes "under the hood".

Since its free (or cheap if one buys a key), and will be the new standard (warts and all), I'll go with the new Windows Version -- I always have. But, that's me. I'm definitely not "selling W11" to SimHQ folks.

Of course you're not - and I apologize if it sounds like I'm saying you are.

Just my own personal perspective.

A fairly long article details "11 annoyances" that affect the look, feel, and usefulness of the Desktop. Some make the Desktop less efficient -- e.g. you need more clicks to do some obvious things.

It also gives fixes. However, some of those require Registry hacks (so, not ideal solutions).

Ideally, W11 would have a simple one-click "W10 switch" that would give you all the W10 desktop features in place of the W11 features.

Link: Fixing Annoying Windows Desktop "Features"

I bought a couple W10 Pro Keys today. I noticed W11 Pro Keys are on sale. They cost more than W10 Pro keys. Both are easily afforded.

I got W10 Pro keys because they can free-upgrade to W11Pro -- and I wanted to start with W10 Pro on a new PC I built yesterday.

The "Pro" OS has fewer restrictions and requirements to meet than the "Home" OS so the Pro Key is worth the few extra $.

I plan to free-upgrade my PCs to W11 Pro when W11 Pro is a "finished product".

This one sounds very bad for "personal freedom to choose".



A good reason to stick with W10 -- if that solves this problem. Also, W11 Pro is said to give the user more control over things like this because its used by some companies for virtually all their desktops.

Competition is good for consumers, but will not be permitted by Microsoft?? Another, "we'll see".

I have not read this entire thread but does anyone have any recent benchmark stats on how games perform under W11?

An overall view from memory (there can always be exceptions):

There was an issue with how different CPUs responded. The latest (just released) Intel CPUs had been accounted for in W11 and performed well.

At the W11 first release, games were a few FPS slower on AMD CPUs (it varied with the game). Then, a fix was instituted -- and W11 was updated. Now, games are nominally the same FPS (vs W10). This all typically applies to games played at 1080p. 2K and 4K games are little affected by the CPU regardless.

One of the "selling points" for W11 was that it had features that made games (all games or some games???) slightly faster FPS. But, this may only apply to newer games that are modified to take advantage.

One hardware item of note, using very high speed (very expensive) DDR5 memory with new CPUs and W11 makes about 1 or 2 FPS difference at high gaming resolutions. The nutshell on hardware is that above 1080p, a new CPU, Motherboard, and DDR5 memory will not make a visible difference. Put all that money into a new, high end GPU. Along those lines, the high end GPUs coming out 12 to 14 months from now will cost a bit less and "crush" the current GPUs (maybe 100% higher FPS -- 200% higher FPS for the highest cost GPUs has been speculated). So, wait for the new GPUs, if possible. All this is subject to change.

Thanks for that info Allen. I was thinking of getting my new Alienware PC in December but I think I'll hold off for a few more months.

W10 Pro for only $7.43. W11 for $15.63. Heck, get W10 Pro and do the free upgrade.

Meantime, I'm not selling these. And, I can't vouch for the Retailers. Just information for what its worth.

Link to Article with Links to Retailers

Windows 11 is removing one of the "reasons not to leave W10".



I agree with the use of the negative-connotation word "coerce" -- in this case.

Intel CPUs also had some issues with games on W11. Mostly fixed or has workarounds, they say.

Apparently, there is still a lot that's "broken". But not all PCs have the same issues -- often the problem depends on specific hardware in the individual PC.

In a couple games at 4K, there was a 3% or 5% difference -- measurable but not visible. W10 won some and W11 won some. But, on average, by less than 1%.

In other words, "yawn"

Its the "neutering" part that worries me. I use aspects of Control Panel that are not currently in settings. I do not want to lose functions going to W11. W11 is supposed to be "better in every way", not "less".

So, the "Final/Completed" W11 build will be released in the Summer 2022. Until then, expect W11 to have some issues for some users.

Thanks for this update. I'm glad I held off on getting my new Alienware gaming system.

Thus, a "complete" PC or HTPC with Blue Ray drives won't work as well with new Intel CPUs and current W11.

FWIW: My computer (listed below) got the W11 update offer yesterday.

Its not a finished product; but, it would probably work okay in my use cases (I do have it installed on one PC in the house). However, I'll wait for the Summer "final version".