Thoughts on Windows 11

[grundge69]

Hello all,
I would like to gather your thoughts on upgrading my Windows 10 Pro installation to Windows 11 Pro. My specs areevice Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-8700 CPU @ 3.20GHz, 3.19 GHz, 16.0 GB RAM
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 8 GB Shared System Memory, 4 GB Dedicated Video Memory
64-bit operating system, x64-based processor
I run an M.2 SSD for my system install, and programs and apps off a traditional SATA platter drive.

In the near future, we will see end of life support for Windows 10, and my computer, being relatively new, is confirmed ready to upgrade to Windows 11. I run MSTS, OpenRails, and mainly:
MSTS Route Editor with TSRE as a backup.
Abacus Train Sim Modeler
Photoshop

What are the pros and cons of upgrading to Windows 11, and any tips and tricks needed in order to run MSTS.
Cody

[rdayt]

Cody,
I've been thinking about trying 11.
The way I would approach it is to make a clone of my C drive and upgrade that. I keep a spare SSD on hand for things like this.
If everything works ok, I've heard rumblings otherwise, I'd go ahead and do my M.2.

Randy

[ftldave]

Though not directly related to our hobby, and not often mentioned in discussions about Windows 11, I want to mention that printer support is often a problem, particularly for cheaper printers more than 3 years old. I know from experience at work that HP, a company not really known for quality printer software anyway on the low end, is doing a poor job in Windows 11 support for their older printers. Don't believe anyone who says anything that works in Windows 10 should work in Windows 11. "Should" is, sorry to say, wishful thinking when it comes to anything more than 3 years old from third party vendors.

Personally, the user interface design of Windows 11, making it look more like Macintosh and such, is just disappointing, not to mention the loss of default useful right-click context menus, all the little things that make Windows 11 just harder to work. Windows 11 from all I can see has, indeed, followed the "every other operating system is bad" release pattern and has become, from disappointing sales and adoption rates, a tainted brand. Benchmark tests shows Windows 11 still isn't really any faster than Windows 10 in real world applications, an amazing shortcoming that should shame the Microsofties to no end. A few days ago Microsoft announced the early cut off of direct sales of Windows 10 licenses, undoubtedly to try to artificially boost Windows 11 license sales, an unseemly move. And already Microsoft is "leaking" views of a 2024 Windows 12 which will hopefully fix some of the stupidity we see in Windows "Don't Call It Another Vista" 11.

I've never been a Microsoft basher like some, have always given them due credit for producing the most popular and successful desktop operating system in the world. I used to say that Windows NT paid for my house by the lake, and I was glad for that. The mainstay for simulation hobbyists and gamers is, indeed, Windows. - but for me, so far, 11 has not been any improvement over Windows 10 in any regard, especially when trying to get some built-to-last in fine working order LaserJet to run with it at the office.

[flanker]

Though not directly related to our hobby, and not often mentioned in discussions about Windows 11, I want to mention that printer support is often a problem, particularly for cheaper printers more than 3 years old. I know from experience at work that HP, a company not really known for quality printer software anyway on the low end, is doing a poor job in Windows 11 support for their older printers. Don't believe anyone who says anything that works in Windows 10 should work in Windows 11. "Should" is, sorry to say, wishful thinking when it comes to anything more than 3 years old from third party vendors.
....

Thank you for your opinion. My favorite phrase is: "Windows "Don't Call It Another Vista" 11.

[eric]

I've been running Windows 11 for about a year, and can't really complain about it. I didn't like losing the classic windows experience, but I also still miss my stick shift.

Yes, there are a few things like printers not being recognized (oddly, my HP printers are fine, it's the Epsons it can't find unless I install the native Epson app) but as far as running all of my gaming and train simulation software, it's been a non event.