What you need to know
- Windows 11 officially started rolling out this week.
- Upgrading will add new features, but it will also remove some features that were available on Windows 10.
- Windows 11 removes several options and features from the Taskbar.
Windows 11 launched this week, bringing features like a new Start menu, improved snapping, and a new Microsoft Store. The new operating system also removes some features that were available on Windows 10. Notably, people will lose several taskbar options when upgrading to Windows 11.
Microsoft's website has a list of "feature deprecations and removals," though it doesn't appear to be complete at this time:
- Cortana will no longer be included in the first boot experience or pinned to the Taskbar.
- Desktop wallpaper cannot be roamed to or from device when signed in with a Microsoft account.
- Internet Explorer is disabled. Microsoft Edge is the recommended replacement and includes IE Mode which may be useful in certain scenarios.
- Math Input Panel is removed. Math Recognizer will install on demand and includes the math input control and recognizer. Math inking in apps like OneNote are not impacted by this change.
- Quick Status from the Lockscreen and associated settings are removed.
- S Mode is only available now for Windows 11 Home edition.
- Snipping Tool continues to be available but the old design and functionality in the Windows 10 version has been replaced with those of the app previously known as Snip & Sketch.
That's not everything. The Start menu is different in Windows 11 as well. Here's what you can expect to see change in that department:
- 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.
Tablet Mode is also going away, and Microsoft has a list of what's being altered when it comes to Taskbar functionality.
- People is no longer present on the Taskbar.
- Some icons may no longer appear in the System Tray (systray) for upgraded devices including previous customizations.
- Alignment to the bottom of the screen is the only location allowed.
- Apps can no longer customize areas of the Taskbar.
But that's not all! More stuff is removed with Windows 11.
- Timeline is removed. Some similar functionality is available in Microsoft Edge.
- Touch Keyboard will no longer dock and undock keyboard layouts on screen sizes 18 inches and larger.
- Wallet is removed.
Additionally, 3D Viewer, OneNote for Windows 10, Skype, and Paint 3D won't be installed on new Windows 11 devices but will be available from the Microsoft Store.
In addition to the features listed above, Windows 11 removes the option to have the Taskbar never combine apps unless it's full. This removal led to several complaints on Reddit.
