Everything changes every day, especially in the technology realm. So, I am quite used to it. After using for some time Windows 10, around October 2021, I decided to upgrade my system to Windows 11. In general, system is nice, and it has really fine-tuned features. Anyway, I thought I can install it and give it a try, what can go wrong?… Eh, some things could, but not so bad as you can expect.
Drivers
I think the biggest issues, in general, are related to drivers, which are not fully compatible with refreshed system architecture of Windows 11. So, lots of devices seem to work on Windows 11 at first glance. However, later I started noticing some problems.
Printer issues with Windows 11
With Windows 10, I got use to comfort. With most of devices, I did not need to worry about drivers, as most of them worked straight from connection. I did not need to install drivers manually, and with Windows 11 I realized how idyllic the previous situation was. When I first connected my printer, it did not work, so I had to search for drivers. Of course as Windows 11 was fresh system, the drivers dedicated for it did not exist. I picked ones for W10, and it worked fine… on printer.
Scanner issues with Windows 11
Coming back to printer drivers. I have one multifunctional device, with printer and scanner. Of course scanner did not work, same as for printer. Then I needed to install the ‘Scan’ app from the store, if I want to use this generic one. Btw. I like this application, simple interface and delivering what it is suppose to. So installing drivers seemed to solve problems. To your surprise yes and no, as the next approach to use scanner demanded reinstall drivers again.
Issues with Windows 11 scanner drivers again, and again
Guess what happened the third time? Same situation, it feels like never ending story.It seems like every time I want to use scanner, I should reinstall drivers. Doable? Yes. Comfortable? Not at all.
So right now, I am waiting for newer drivers dedicated for the system, as those for Windows 10 definitely are stuck somewhere. However, as my device have a few good years behind, probably sooner I buy new printer, than there will be drivers compatible with Windows 11 for my current printer.
Issues with Windows 11 Hello – fingerprint scanner
As you may have noticed, some of the drivers may not be fully designed to work with W11. The same case I had with my biometric feature. This relates, in my case, particularly to fingerprint reader.
In my previous laptop, I did not have this biometric option. So, after changing equipment, this biometric option was highly convinient.
You probably know, how easy it is to get used to comfort. And how hard facing the reality can be, when comfortable features are taken away. When my fingerprint reader stopped working, I could have setup Windows Hello Face recognition. However, for me the best option was fingerprint reader, due to, imho, the speed of this logging method. Additionally, I was curious, why suddenly the fingerprint reader is not in the device management list.
I use the system drivers for Windows 11 and I thought they should work properly. Until I lost my fingerprint reader driver. When I approached manual installation of the driver, I got prompt that my device was not found. Fortunately for me, the solution was to reinstall BIOS driver. Funny thing, my previous BIOS upgrade happened quite a time before I lost fingerprint reader driver.
So, this is another mystery, which can be related to Windows 11 or firmware itself. However, it has never happened to me under Windows 10.
Screen switching with Windows 11
Nice feature, however, at the beginning I was not used to it. First I used this feature accidentally. I was writing something, and I was not sure what exactly triggered the change, but I was on fresh screen. As I wasn’t fully sure, what have happened. I wasn’t certain, how to find the way back to my proper screen. After the moment, I find the right switch at the task bar, and switch back. But this feature, can be a bit tricky at first.
Weather and other information on task bar
This is quite funny, whether you like it or not, you get certain features enabled by default. This feature takes quite a space from your task bar. And switching it off is not as straightforward as you may think.
I like Windows 11
I know I’ve concentrated mostly on Windows 11 pitfalls, but in general I must say I like this system. It is quite a refreshed Windows 10 version. It is faster, has nice features and maybe some of these issues are by design, so you wouldn’t get bored with fully working and hassle-free system ;). You should try it yourself. If your current system does not support Windows 11, you can use, if you have Hyper-V option, e.g. via Hyper-V built-in Windows 11 image.
