Windows 11 can’t make me switch from a Mac — here’s why

Windows 11 can't make me switch from a Mac — here's wherefore

Windows 11 isn't enough to get me to leave macOS behind

(Trope credit: Microsoft/Apple)

Windows 11 just now launched and as someone WHO uses both Macs and PCs, I was curious about how Microsoft's software update would be, and what's on that point. Microsoft had a unanimous event this summertime to get the Word unconscious about Windows 11, and the energy surrounding Windows 11 arrangement requirements created such a excitation that it matt-up like Windows 11 could be a game-changer. Or at least people believed IT was that alpha.

Then I saw all the scintillating jolly colors of Windows 11, its rounded edges and opaque panels. It felt Mackintosh-like.

And since I require to call for a new calculator soon, a small, small theatrical role of me was hoping that Windows 11 could beryllium that new home for all of my computing. Buying both a new gaming PC and a MacBook Favoring 2021 is going to want a lot of money. Even though I've used a Mac for my grown life, I make rather want to go dead on Windows — I use it to stream games that aren't available for the Mackintosh, which makes ME wonder why I'm sticking with the Mac.

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Look Windows 11, I was reminded about that "why," time and again. So, I put together a list of the top five reasons that Windows 11 isn't doing it for me. This list could be really long (the way to write an em-dash "—" is still absurd happening Windows, though it's easy on a Mac), simply I idea I should keep my reasons to the important things tied to (or relevant for) Windows 11.

iPhone integrating matters much Android apps

This, at the core of it all, is a major reason for why Microsoft probably isn't going to lure me over. I'm an iPhone substance abuser (I time-tested to use Android, it didn't click), and the Your Phone app just does nothing for Pine Tree State. It's just for Androids, and I get it. Because of all the restrictions and limitations of Apple's software and hardware, Microsoft can't don the iPhone. I didn't expect Microsoft to crack that code, though — so don't take this A me being disappointed.

But there's no such limitation on Mack-iPhone integration, which lets ME answer to textual matter messages from a MacBook, OR discharge FaceTime calls connected an iMac. And that rather nimbleness, where you bottom go forth the phone charging, and detain productive with your Mac, is what I love. And I love that Android users will get a trivial of that with the Your Phone app. I jazz that for them. Gravely.

Windows 11's Your Phone app welcome screen — (Image credit: Microsoft)

Simply I also just don't tending at altogether about the Android apps coming to the PC in Windows 11 (not that they'Re present at launch). This is partially because I'm an iPhone drug user and would quite those apps be made available (more on that down the stairs).

Information technology's also because Windows 11 is acquiring the least appealing twist-off of the Google Play Store (and its 3.5 million apps) in the form of the Amazon Appstore's 500,000-ish apps. This means you don't mother whatever Google apps, including Gmail OR YouTube, which are egregious exceptions for those of us World Health Organization think about Humanoid being Google's world.

Can information technology beryllium fixed? Not sure, merely getting the real Google Act as Store integrated with Windows would glucinium a start.

Widgets are here in Windows 11, and I'm in truth disappointed with the first great deal. The only enclosed calendars thingmabob is Outlook Calendar, which (you guessed it) requires you to use Mindset. There's no way of life Microsoft could have made a widget that supported its own Calendars app, too? Windows 11 needs third-party widgets and it needs them bad.

The only other included widgets that piqued my interest were Weather, To Do (I've got my ain preferred productivity app, but this is a nice spot) and Amusement. The other apps, such as Watchlist Stocks, Sports, Esports (LOL), Traffic and Photos didn't do much for me, and the indeed-called "Amusement" app is merely a very basic, bland and not-at-all recent set of recommendations for what to watch. (Information technology's not very customized to my interests — I have done nothing to suggest I'd require to watch Trolls Humankind Tour).

Then there's the section low the Widgets, which appears to be a holdover from something other. It's a series of news items that, were they joint on Twitter, would generate a series of uninterested replies. Stories like "Amal Clooney Wore a Gorgeous Cutout Dress with George for 'The Tender Bar' Premiere," "BREAKING: Starting defensive electrician will miss the remainder of the season," and "Bindi Irwin Shares Sunny Snapshots of 'Princess' Grace, 6 Months, Smiling with Knife Out."

I try to do my best to avoid this puff: in the "followed interests" section on Microsoft's MSN site, I've only checked off Telecasting, Movies, Euphony and Coronavirus. But still I get served chum like the above.

How to fix it: More widgets, less fluffy news.

The Apple ordinal party apps I privation aren't connected Windows

There's a fate of saintly being done in the Windows store, the app store inside of Windows. It's being unsealed capable third political party sellers, such Epic Games (whose spat with Apple light-emitting diode to Fortnite acquiring kicked off Apple devices.)

But this isn't really a thing I care all but a plenty for me, personally. My deary apps, such as the productivity-focused Due reminder app, Deliveries for tracking packages, the excellent Pixelmator prototype editor and the Overcast podcatcher aren't in the Windows computer memory. That's not a criticize against Windows, omit that the developers doubtful don't give Windows versions of their apps.

How to fasten it: I don't know if Microsoft can get those developers to build Windows 11 apps, but that would go a long way for me.

I father't care about Teams

Microsoft's rebranding of itself as a services company is a trifle much if you call for Pine Tree State, because they're really hoping that hoi polloi care about Microsoft Teams — a service that we as individuals Don River't have much control o'er if we use at work Beaver State not.

The Teams Chat app in Windows 11 — (Image quotation: Microsoft)

Microsoft seems sol proud of Teams that it wants us to make it and the Teams Chat app the crux of each of our messaging. "Forget Skype, messages and everything other," Microsoft seems to say "You should good use Teams!"

Merely what if I similar what I was exploitation earlier? I rely on Discord, and that doesn't really look to deliver an integration (it and Teams Chat seem to represent two unit separate worlds, so it likely won't function like this). Shouldn't I comprise healthy to easily remove the Teams Chat app Microsoft jammed into the Task Bar?

At first, it doesn't seem like you can, as there's no choice to un-stick it when you suitable-suction stop the Teams/Chat app (which appears when you moral click another apps on it area). My colleague Alex Wawro explained how to know, though. Open the Settings app, quality Personalization and select Taskbar. Then, act the switch next to Chat to the Off position. That's a little too some mould if you ask me, and I bet many people wish not poke around settings and find this. Instead, they'll wind up having Microsoft bully them into using this app OR letting it take up space.

How to fix IT: Have Teams more obviously optional.

Edge calm gets pushed way excessively hard

One of the many holdovers from Windows 10 is that Edge is still the baked-in default web browser for when you make out anything within Windows. Look the World Wide Web in the Start Menu or in Widgets? You'Ra opening in Edge. It's a really unearthly thing for Microsoft to force, especially when you can put together Chrome as your default network browser.

Speechmaking of which, Windows 11 makes it harder than e'er to convert your default web web browser. Microsoft took the old method — look for "Entanglement browser" in the Default on apps section of System Preferences — and threw it out because ... it was likewise gradual? I'm non sure why Microsoft did this, only now you motive to open the same Default apps section, simply scroll cut down through a list of applications to find the browser you want to use. For me, because of requirements busy, that's Chrome.

Changing a default web browser in Windows 11 — (Image mention: Microsoft)

Once I penetrate through with Chrome, I induce to change every singular vane page initialise that exists: .htm, .html, .pdf, .shtml, .svg, .webp, .xht, .xhtml, FTP, HTTP, HTTPS and many more.

I get the .pdf choice simply ... what was wrong with just one "web browser" setting? Did someone actually suppose they needed to opened .html golf links and HTTP links in different applications?

How to fix it: Go back to Windows 10's default web browser setting — and permit that setting hold to actions in the Starting time Menu besides.

Windows 11 outlook

I terminate't tell if Microsoft will ever make the Windows that gets Pine Tree State, a Mac user, to switch full-time. Breaking the padlocks along the logic gate to the iPhone is probably an inquire too far, simply if it could pull in app developers who aren't even happening Windows, make Widgets worthy a damn and stop pushing Teams and Edge so damn hard?

Mayhap I would be competent to get away with 1 new computing device — and not two — this class.

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Henry is a senior editor at Tom's Pass application streaming media, laptops and totally things Apple, reviewing devices and services for the past six-plus years. Prior to joining Tom's Point, he reviewed software and hardware for TechRadar Favoring, and interviewed artists for Patek Philippe International Magazine. He's as wel covered the wild world of professional grappling for Cageside Seats, interviewing athletes and new industriousness veterans.