Renard’s Thoughts On Windows 11

Windows 11 was officially introduced to the world on Thursday the 24th of June, 2021 at 11:00 AM by Panos Panay, Microsoft’s Chief Product Officer (The live stream buffered at intervals; it was a mild technical issue over at Microsoft’s end).

Some weeks earlier, someone had leaked an ISO image of the Windows 11 developer’s build on the internet; it showed the curious-minded techies what it looked like and it also provided them with firsthand information on how that operating system worked.

At the moment, many hardcore Windows users are annoyed with Microsoft (And, I am going to tell you why they feel that way and some of the things that could happen as a result of their displeasure).

The Controversial Windows 11 Requirement

Microsoft’s Compatibility for Windows 11, highlighted both the hardware and the software requirements for their latest operating system (Unfortunately, a lot of computers with Windows 10 on them failed to meet the requirements for Windows 11).

Many people (those Windows 10 users with fairly new computers) dislike the idea of purchasing a new computer in order for them to use Windows 11.

The biggest irony is that the developer’s build of Windows 11 works with older hardware.

Now, isn’t that in itself, evidence of Windows 11 being quite capable of working with older generations of Intel’s Core i7 processors?

Even a blind person can see that this is really a case of planned obsolescence.

Windows 11 Opens Up An Opportunity To Boost PC Sales

Everyone knows that the sale of PCs went up when a lot of people had to work from home.

Now, computer manufactures from around the world, can once again, boost their PC sales by flooding the market with computers that come preinstalled with Windows 11.

On a positive note, this should provide people with access to modern computer hardware (I would not pass up the opportunity to install Linux on modern computer hardware).

And, to be fair, technology is always advancing.

There Is The Risk Of Contributing To E-Waste

Some of you are probably asking yourselves, “What the hell is e-waste?”

To put it simply, e-waste refers to discarded electrical or electronic devices.

Now, why should you and I add more computers to landfills?

If we truly cared about the environment, we would look for innovative ways to extend the life of our computers (And, one of the best ways of doing that is by installing an alternative operating system on those so-called old computers).

Also, I really do not see the need to purchase a new computer every three years.

For the record, I am not against anyone for purchasing a new computer every three years; they are within their right to do so, but they should not be too eager to discard their old computer.

Unfortunately, Windows 11 will contribute to the rise of e-waste because most people who buy new computers are in the habit of discarding the computer that they were using before.

Some People Will Jump On The Linux Bandwagon

A lot of people have migrated to Linux because they grew tired of Microsoft’s monopoly and their worthless operating system (I am one of those people).

Why should I allow Microsoft to tell me how I can use my computer when I can do computing my way via Linux?

Also, the hardware requirements to use Windows 11 have increased from that of Windows 10; which, in my opinion, is a significant jump!

Tech-savvy people are aware of the fact that Linux is capable of working well on both powerful and not-so-powerful hardware.

So, why should you discontinue the usage of a computer that is only a few years old?

The truth is that you should not have the cause to do such a crazy thing!

Some People Will Become Apple Converts

I know of a few bloggers that went over to the Apple side of things because they grew fed up with using Microsoft Windows.

Some people do not mind spending the extra cash on an iMac or a MacBook Pro (They genuinely believe that it is a much better investment).

Apple has full control over their hardware and software; which results in fewer problems on the user’s end.

Most people who have made the switch to macOS never return to using Microsoft Windows.

The new hardware requirements for Windows 11 will alienate a lot of people; thus causing them to go in the direction of Apple.

One can look at it as “You screwed me over. Now, I am doing business with your competitor!”

If you were to ask any person if they know of any operating system other than Windows 11, they would say to you, “There is macOS!”

Apple spent a lot of money on advertising; therefore, the existence of macOS will always be etched in the minds of countless people.

Some People Would Gladly Move Over To Chrome OS

It is common knowledge that there is a Chromebook available for everyone’s budget; there are low-end, mid-range and high-end Chromebooks.

So, do not be surprised if someone says, “Goodbye Microsoft Windows. Hello, Chrome OS.”

In addition to casually browsing the world wide web, people can also do some productivity-related tasks on a Chromebook; the only issue is that almost everything you do on Chrome OS would be cloud-based (Some people would not have a problem with that because they used Microsoft OneDrive when they utilized Windows).

Chromebooks are becoming more and more popular and some people who are not okay with Microsoft’s new way of doing things would not hesitate to move over to Chrome OS.

Some People Would Continue To Use Windows 10 Until It Reaches Its End Of Life

Windows 10 will reach its end of life on Tuesday the 14th of October, 2025 (Microsoft may choose to extend their support for Windows 10 a little longer with the hopes that it would give Windows 10 users sufficient time to buy a new computer with Windows 11 on it).

So, do not be surprised if someone says to you, “I am sticking with Windows 10 until it is no longer supported by Microsoft!”

Personally, I think that they should liberate themselves by using the same computer with Linux installed on it.

By the way, creating a bootable USB flash drive with Linux on it is not difficult; Garvin Phillips’s article, How to Create a Bootable USB From an ISO: 6 Useful Tools, will provide the Microsoft Windows user with the necessary instructions.

The Bottom Line

There is a high probability that Microsoft will alienate a lot of their customers if they fail to lower the hardware requirements for Windows 11.

Some people have predicted that Microsoft might lower the hardware requirements for Windows 11 (Now, there is a small chance of that actually happening, but I would not bet my life on it).

If you happen to be one of the lucky Microsoft Windows users whose computer is new and fully compatible with Windows 11, you can wait until the free upgrade rolls out in Autumn (That is provided that you are satisfied with Microsoft Windows).

I hereby invite you to use Linux (there are many distributions available; choose one) and if Linux is not your sort of thing, you are free to use any other alternative operating system on your computer.

As a hardcore Linux user, I have no intentions of using Windows 11.

I emancipated myself from Microsoft’s slavery many years ago and it is time for other people to do the same!

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