zlacker

>>beezle+(OP)
So far in the last year or so, I've heard 0 reasons why I'd even need, want or benefit from Win11 over Win10. Tons of reasons in the negative column though. There isn't even anything to salivate over that might make you think it might be worth it to deal with the other tradeoffs. Hard pass.

>>cronix+Te
I updated to 11 on my laptop but kept 10 on my main machine. I see zero reason to update my main computer to 11. I was willing to give centered start button a try but the fact that you can't turn off grouping of applications in the taskbar is a deal breaker. If I have two firefox windows open I want to know it and to be able to pick which one I want without having to hover my mouse over the icon for a second while the picture of the windows pops up.

So I installed Explorer patcher to get the old taskbar back https://github.com/valinet/ExplorerPatcher

Other than that the only feature of 11 that I have used is the snap zones. And I guess if I want that I can install the power toy it is based on.

>>jccalh+Ys
If you use the Windows+# shortcuts it's pretty easy to navigate multiple instances of an application. I don't know how the ordering works with the centered start button, but traditionally, the left-most application can be switched to by pushing Win+1. The second instance of the first can be switched to by holding Win and then pushing 1 twice. That's been available since Vista.

I don't want to excuse taking options away from users, but there are workarounds.

>>delect+8C
It still works this way, but I find having to figure out which number to press is too slow. There's a utility that adds numbers to the taskbar buttons when the start key is held down, called 7+ Taskbar Numberer, but it doesn't work on Windows 11.

https://ramensoftware.com/7-taskbar-numberer

>>froste+LN
If you lock programs to the taskbar in a consistent order you can build some muscle memory. For me, 1 is always my browser, 2 is file explorer, 3 is notepad++, and 4+ depends on whether I'm on a work or personal machine (discord at home, outlook at work, etc). The result is that no matter what machine I'm using, I can always alternate between my browsers with Win+1.