Windows 11 will be 5 years old come October and still remains under heavy development.
Back when Windows 11 was first released in October 2021, I made the point that it was a work in progress and would require ongoing development, but never in my wildest dreams did I ever suspect that almost 5 years later, it would still not be up to par.
Missing Features
Features that users have always taken for granted are still missing – such as a movable Taskbar, for example. Sure, a movable Taskbar is now in the pipeline, but I question why it has taken 5 long years for Microsoft to finally implement a feature that has previously always been standard.
An Antiquated Recovery Option
We all know that System Restore has been a woeful recovery option, and now, finally, Microsoft is introducing a new feature dubbed Point-In-Time Restore to replace the antiquated and useless System Restore feature.
Unlike System Restore, which only saves the system state, Point-In-Time Restore will capture the current system state plus all installed programs and personal data… everything. Again, I question why it has taken so long for this clearly superior recovery feature to be implemented.
Buggy Updates
After 5 long years, we are still enduring the ongoing situation with buggy Windows Updates. Soon, Microsoft will be introducing a calendar system whereby updates can be paused for extended periods of time, which, to my way of thinking, is more of a workaround than a solution.
Still, it’s at least a small step in the right direction, but again, perhaps too little too late?
My point is that Microsoft has been developing a Windows operating system for 40 years, yet still seems to be struggling to get it right. In between success stories, such as Windows 7, Microsoft has released a number of unmitigated disasters, including Vista and Windows 8.
It’s incongruous to me that Microsoft is unable to build on its successes and, seemingly through unwanted/unnecessary changes, is continually pedaling backwards. After 40 years, we should be looking at the perfect operating system, which Windows 11 certainly is not.
BOTTOM LINE:
The way Windows 11 development is going, which is very slowly, Microsoft might get it right just before the company releases a whole new Windows iteration. Brilliant!
As always, your thoughts via the comments are most welcome.
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I took the prudent course of waiting for feedback of users who took the plunge in the early days of Win 11 release. Paid close attention and ultimately made the decision to end my journey with Windows. I transitioned to Linux. My only regret is that I didn’t jettison the M$ ecosystem way before.
Windows11 may be “old & still not ready” and probably will never catch up.
‘Catch up to what?’ becomes the question. Simply because neither macOS or Linux are new, ready or know where AI will be driving computing’s future. SaS?
I am hoping my 2 year old DIY Window11Pro (that runs our house) lasts at least few more years.
I couldn’t agree more Jim. I consider the consumer versions of Windows 11 (home & pro) to be unusable. Games, telemetry and advertisements shoved down our throats.
I urge all DCT years to try Windows 11 LTSC IOT. It is how Windows 7 used to be, but even better. No ads, no games, no nothin’ & it’s easy to turn off it’s minor telemetry with group policy. I’m addition, newer CPU generations have better scheduling (Ryzen Zen 4 onwards).. etc.
If I didn’t have Win 11 LTSC IOT, is be using Linux Mint Cinnamon, which is, in 2026, an excellent Windows replacement. Most who mainly use browsers won’t even feel a difference, except their computer runs faster.
Great idea but who would pay MS over $200 CAD to essentially replace the inherently flawed OS. When my W10 PC hits the end of ESU in 2027 it will become a best choice LINUX box. Likely my W11 laptop will convert too.
Windows 11 LTSC IOT is easy to download online for free. It actually is not a bad OS at all, it’s quite different than the consumer versions of Windows. It’s end-of-support is 2034. Importantly it’s based on Win 11 24H2, which had many improvements under the hood.
If you have a bit older CPU, particularly prior to Ryzen 5000 series or an Intel CPU w/o efficiency cores, Windows 10 LTSC IOT is the absolute best – about 1gb at idle (compared with 2-2.5gb at idle for Win 11 LTSC IOT). End of life is 2032.
Overall I agree with you that Linux is the way to go. It’s finally an OS that I recommend to non-techy family and friends. Some distros (Cinnamon) look like Windows and everything just works after installation. Most will not ever even need to use the terminal / CLI!
This 11 LTSC IOT version can be downloaded but needs a legitimate license to activate which costs $200 plus. This is not a viable option for me and many others and the W10 version is no longer available on the MS site. So my alternatives after ESU expires is my very powerful desktop becomes either a local server removed from the WAN or a Linux box. If that happens then my W11 laptop will be changed to Linux too. BTW the desktop runs on a legacy OS so dual boot is not possible. The laptop would likely be a dual boot installation.
Good day Jim. Seem I am the only one sort of defending Windows 11 and Microsoft. If users use 3rd party software that can address many of the problems M$ keeps ignoring, they might have fewer problems.
There were many changes within the company, with varied ideas how to develop Windows. Users need to remember the last time they had to pay for the operating system. It continues to be Free and included with purchased computers (new and refurbished).
I prefer to use constructive criticism whenever possible. Own many programs that require Windows, so I well remain a Windows user, Mindblower!
The wayback machine when Go Back was around and then Acronis True Image. About time Windows included this type of backup imaging in their operating system. The name seems a little odd to me, Point-In-Time Restore or it’s clever?
Yeah, Robert, unfortunately I think those are probably outdated. My Macrium reflect 8 stopped working a few months ago.
EUFI and secure boot has changed things, especially in 2026.
Try using Macrium 10 ISO image and a Ventoy boot drive / USB stick.
Acronis 2026 True Image still works on Windows 11 Pro as an imaging backup as that’s what I use. But it’s nice to know Windows finally included something similar in their OS.
Point In time Restore is an improvement on the old System Restore but not even close to image backups as an effective recovery medium.
I agree, no flexibility with the Point in Time Restore, as you can’t create images at will, choose where to put those images, imaging to a NAS etc.
That’s good to hear that Acronis still works. Also I remember back when Macrium d/c’d the free version of Reflect 8, Jim recommended AOMEI backup, if I recall.
Mindblower – in 2026 I’d consider Windows consumer versions unusable. They are, frankly, terrible, even after third-party tweaks.
I don’t know any computer enthusiasts who would use the regular windows 10 / 11 these days unless forced to by their employer.
I’m a “Windows supporter” too, if for nothing else than the stand-alone Excel software (which strangely is superior to the MacOS version) & gaming (though Linux gaming is catching up fast) . But I would only use the Windows LTSC IOT versions of Windows, which are much more Linux-ish, but still an actual Windows OS.
Why don’t more people on DCT use Windows LTSC IOT?
I’d love to get some feedback and tips I may be missing.
Why don’t more people on DCT use Windows LTSC IOT?
Well Joe, most likely because, as Eddietel already pointed out, it might be free to download but the cost of a license to activate is prohibitive. In Australia, for example, the cost of a license is between $300-$450.
Wow, that is pricey Jim. I wouldn’t think it’s worth it for most, especially because..
The cool thing is that you -do not- need to activate Windows LTSC. It just works. There are a few minor annoying things to accept like a desktop watermark, can’t change the wallpaper, etc.
I read so much about the many hours spent on the annoyances of consumer Windows on this forum and others, most of which are completely avoided by using the LTSC version of Windows – It’s a completely different beast. No feature updates to break things, etc. It’s 100% clean Windows, reminds me of Windows 7, but better. I’ve had many machines going for years with zero Windows-related headaches.
I spend enough time configuring and troubleshooting with my various machines and products (NAS x2, ubuntu server with Plex on an N100 minipc, playing with my new Firewalla router) – these are the things that should take up our time in computerland, not Windows frustrations.
These are the files you want if you are going to try LTSC, I mean, it’s worth a try, right? Plug in an old spare hard drive and do a fresh install, you’ll be amazed. Last time I looked these were available on a Microsoft server that had every version of Windows on it. I keep them on a USB m.2 nvme drive booting Ventoy (then can boot up any ISO, so don’t need to manage a drawer full of USB sticks!)
Win10:
en-us_windows_10_iot_enterprise_ltsc_2021_x64_dvd_257ad90f.iso
Win11:
en-us_windows_11_iot_enterprise_ltsc_2024_x64_dvd_f6b14814.iso
Hey Joe,
Yes, I’m aware of those minor limitations when not activated. However, the info for Windows 11 LTSC also states, when not activated: “the PC will shut down every hour“.
Also, it seems that an official Windows 10 LTSC ISO download is no longer available via Microsoft and must be sourced via third parties.
Bottom line is; I can understand why people might have reservations about going this route.
Hi Jim. The ISOs of Windows LTSC I mentioned do not shut down every hour, only the evaluation version will do that after 90 days. The versions I mentioned earlier will work just like any other Windows version, even well past their end of security updates (2032 or 2034).
I truly believe the LTSC version is so vastly different (and far superior) than the consumer versions of Windows, that DCT users (who I am fond of due to the ‘vibe’ of DCT) should really not have any reservations to at least trying them out.
That’s too bad MS took Win10 LTSC down, that is a great version. Most of my computers are old enough that Win 10 LTSC is superior to Win 11 LTSC, it’s noticeable, the feel is “snappier” (is that a word??)
As you said the version I mentioned is available, just not from the MS website with all of the versions listed. Seems strange as Win 10 LTSC IOT EOL isn’t until 2032, so it’s still current it would seem.
Color me confused Joe. 🙂
I used the link you provided in an earlier comment to access the info regarding Windows 11 LTSC and the only download option I can see is for the “evaluation” version: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/evaluate-windows-11-iot-enterprise-ltsc
If there’s another version, other than evaluation, I am unable to locate it.
Hi Jim. I didn’t provide a link in my earlier comment. I provided a file name only, on purpose.
I just did a simple google search for the file name I referenced:
https://www.google.com/search?q=en-us_windows_11_iot_enterprise_ltsc_2024_x64_dvd_f6b14814.iso&ie=UTF-8
and the second search result was this:
https://archive.org/details/en-us_windows_11_iot_enterprise_ltsc_2024_x64_dvd_f6b14814
If you look to the right of the screen, it says “ISO download” .. I clicked that and a download started.
The first link in your latest comment leads to the same MS site I visited and includes the following information:
If you fail to activate this evaluation after installation, or if your evaluation period expires, the desktop background will turn black, you will see a persistent desktop notification indicating that the system is not genuine, and the PC will shut down every hour.
The second link in your latest comment leads to a third-party site.
Appreciate your input Joe, as always. But sorry mate, I think it’s time to close this discussion, we appear to be going round in circles.
I’m confused. I just read over the past several comments and I’m not seeing what “circles” are happening. I promise that the Windows LTSC does not shut down every hour, I would never recommend an OS that would do that.
1. I described to DCT members why I thought Windows LTSC is a whole different ballgame than consumer Windows.
2. I encouraged everyone to try it out and provided a link that totally works, I just tried it again now and it works.
3. For some reason you keep mentioning the “evaluation” version, which I never mentioned and never recommended.
You have mentioned “third party” links, but as far as I can tell they are not nefarious links. That second search result is from archive.org, a well respected website.
Is the problem that the Windows LTSC ISO file is from a “third party” link? I could probably find the same download from a MSDN (now called Visual Studio) link if that would be helpful.
This is one of the few threads on DCT that could be a real game changer for DCT members, so I guess I just need to understand where my comments are going wrong.