Remembering what Windows 10 did right—and how it made modern Windows more annoying

Summary

Even the mandatory Microsoft Account sign-in, one of the most frequently complained-about aspects of Windows 11, was a Windows 10 innovation—it was easier to circumvent than it is now, and it was just for the Home edition of the software, but in retrospect, it was clearly a step down the road that Windows 11 is currently traveling. Windows 11 did make things worse, though A desktop with an extra informational wallpaper icon, a Start menu full of apps you may or may not use, and a busy taskbar will greet you the first time you log in to Windows 11. Andrew Cunningham A desktop with an extra informational wallpaper icon, a Start menu full of apps you may or may not use, and a busy taskbar will greet you the first time you log in to Windows 11. Andrew Cunningham A cleaner desktop, taskbar, and Start menu, with many extraneous elements removed. With the exception of Edge, most Windows apps can be retained or removed as you prefer. Andrew Cunningham A cleaner desktop, taskbar, and Start menu, with many extraneous elements removed. With the exception of Edge, most Windows apps can be retained or removed as you prefer. Andrew Cunningham A desktop with an extra informational wallpaper icon, a Start menu full of apps you may or may not use, and a busy taskbar will greet you the first time you log in to Windows 11. Andrew Cunningham A cleaner desktop, taskbar, and Start menu, with many extraneous elements removed. With the exception of Edge, most Windows apps can be retained or removed as you prefer. Andrew Cunningham But many of Windows 11’s annoyances are new ones. And the big problem is that these annoyances have been stacked on top of the annoying things that Windows 10 was already doing, gradually accumulating to make the new PC setup process go from “lightly” to “supremely” irritating. The Microsoft Account sign-in requirement is ground zero for a lot of this since signing in with an account unlocks a litany of extra ads for Microsoft 365, Game Pass, and other services y...