--- title: "Windows 11 Reviews 2026. Verified Reviews, Pros & Cons | Capterra" description: "Is Windows 11 the right Operating Systems solution for you? Explore 102 verified user reviews from people in industries like yours to make a confident choice." source_url: "https://bx-capterra-9jkl9g9y3-g2dm.vercel.app/p/251507/Windows-11/reviews/" page_type: "reviews" language: "en" --- Windows 11 4.4 (102) [View alternatives](https://www.capterra.com/p/251507/Windows-11/alternatives/) Provider data verified by our Software Research team, and reviews moderated by our Reviews Verification team. [Learn more](https://www.capterra.com/our-story/) * * * Last updated July 20th, 2026 # Reviews of Windows 11 Ease of use 4.5 Customer Service 4.0 ## Pros and Cons in Reviews Harsh T Software EngineerInformation Technology and Services, 10,001+ employeesUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “The most helpful part of the experience, by far, has been the Snap Layouts and Groups. If you’re someone who constantly has five different apps open for a single project, being able to hover over the maximize button and instantly lock windows into a perfect grid is a total game-changer.“ May 15, 2026 Harsh T Software EngineerInformation Technology and Services, 10,001+ employeesUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “Additionally, the new Start menu is far less informative; losing the live tiles means I can’t see my weather or calendar events at a glance anymore, and the "Recommended" section often feels like wasted space that I’d rather use for pinned apps.“ May 15, 2026 Harsh T Software EngineerInformation Technology and Services, 10,001+ employeesUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “For gaming, the integration of Auto HDR and faster loading times makes a noticeable difference without me having to dig through settings.“ May 15, 2026 Harsh T Software EngineerInformation Technology and Services, 10,001+ employeesUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “Even the hardware requirements feel unnecessarily strict—knowing that perfectly capable PCs are being left behind because of TPM requirements or specific CPU generations makes the whole upgrade feel less like a choice and more like a forced hardware refresh.“ May 15, 2026 Efraín M Internship for software developerComputer Software, 501 - 1,000 employeesUsed the software for: 1-2 years. “It provides better integration with Microsoft 365, improved gaming performance with DirectStorage, and robust security features such as TPM 2.0 requirements.“ December 10, 2024 Harsh T Software EngineerInformation Technology and Services, 10,001+ employeesUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “The biggest downside, however, is the inconsistency in the user interface. While the new parts look great, you don't have to dig very deep to find menus that look like they haven’t been touched since Windows 7 or even XP.“ May 15, 2026 Harsh T Software EngineerInformation Technology and Services, 10,001+ employeesUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “The initial "muscle memory" hurdles have faded, replaced by a sense that the system is finally working \*with\* me rather than just being a platform I launch apps on.“ May 15, 2026 Edwin M Computer Service TechnicianEducation Management, 51 - 200 employeesUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “Some updates have to be delayed to ensure data integrity, and some features which could distract from productivity need to be disabled through group policy, such as news headlines on the lock screen.“ February 24, 2025 ## Showing most helpful reviews Showing 1-25 of 102 Reviews Sort by: Most Helpful Rating Company Size Reviewer's Role Length of Use Frequency of Use Peter H. President Information Technology and Services Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Windows 11 - evolutionary improvements" February 11, 2025 5.0 I've been using windows for decades, I know it and am productive with it Pros Very stable, use/need MS Office every day Cons All the little bugs that pop up here and there Alternatives considered [Ubuntu](https://www.capterra.com/p/229058/Ubuntu/) Reason for choosing Windows 11 Linux has gotten much, much better - but still doesn't support everything I need. Review Source RR Ruben R. IT Manager Information Technology and Services Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Post Oak Tech & Windows 11" July 23, 2025 5.0 Overall seems to be stable, such as windows 10. I am hoping for a version that will not force so many disruptive updates. It creates frustration to the end user. Pros It is stable, more multitasking options such as widgets. It is visually appealing. Operating Systems seems to be more responsive with clear icons' display Cons Legacy software does not work on it. Too many updates, many are forced regardless of computer settings. Center taskbar can be confusing for new/non-technical users. Some major updates need technical troubleshooting, not available for the common user. Alternatives considered [MacOS Big Sur](https://www.capterra.com/p/228984/MacOS-Big-Sur/) Reason for choosing Windows 11 Ease of use, compatible with most productivity applications, less restrictive. Review Source Leandro A. Developer Computer Software Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Windows 11 Review" December 16, 2025 3.0 It is solid .But it eats too much RAM .Also , you have to be logged in to your Microsoft account in order to finish installing Windows 11 , really annoying , you can hack that , but it's not ideal , I really didn't like that . Pros It is the standard OS , I use it because everyone does .It is heavy on resources , but solid overall Cons You have to be logged in to your Microsoft account in order to finish installing Windows 11 , really annoying Review Source Harsh T. Software Engineer Information Technology and Services Used the software for: 2+ years ### "A Solid Leap Forward, Despite the Occasional Step Back" May 15, 2026 5.0 Overall, my experience with Windows 11 has been a journey from skepticism to genuine reliance. At first, the shift to a centered taskbar and the rounded, "glassy" aesthetic felt like change for the sake of change. However, as the OS has matured—especially with the recent 2026 updates—it has transformed into a remarkably stable and intelligent workspace. The initial "muscle memory" hurdles have faded, replaced by a sense that the system is finally working \*with\* me rather than just being a platform I launch apps on. The integration of AI features like \*\*Recall\*\* and \*\*Snap Layouts\*\* has completely changed my daily rhythm. Being able to pull up a project's context just by describing what I was working on, rather than digging through nested folders, has removed a huge amount of mental friction. While I still have gripes—like the occasional "forced" feel of integrated ads and the restrictive taskbar—the performance gains and the sheer speed of on-device processing make it hard to imagine going back to older versions. It feels like a premium, modern experience that has finally found its footing. Pros What I like best about Windows 11 is the refined, modern aesthetic that actually feels cohesive. The centered taskbar and rounded corners might seem like small visual tweaks, but they make the whole interface feel much less cluttered and more like a premium workspace. I’ve noticed that the animations are smoother, and the overall "glassy" look of the windows makes the OS feel fast and responsive. It’s one of those rare upgrades where the system doesn't just work better; it actually looks like something designed for the current year rather than a holdover from a decade ago. The most helpful part of the experience, by far, has been the Snap Layouts and Groups. If you’re someone who constantly has five different apps open for a single project, being able to hover over the maximize button and instantly lock windows into a perfect grid is a total game-changer. It eliminates that annoying manual "window shuffling" I used to do. Plus, since the system remembers those groups, I can dock or undock my laptop without my entire layout exploding—it just snaps right back to how I had it. The real upsides come down to the balance between productivity and performance. With the latest updates, the system feels incredibly stable, and features like the built-in Copilot and improved voice typing actually save me time on a daily basis. For gaming, the integration of Auto HDR and faster loading times makes a noticeable difference without me having to dig through settings. It feels like a mature, polished platform that focuses on keeping you in your flow rather than getting in your way with constant interruptions. Cons What I dislike most about Windows 11 is how much more "restrictive" it feels compared to previous versions. For example, the taskbar is now locked to the bottom of the screen, which is a massive headache if you’ve spent years working with it on the side or top. It feels like Microsoft prioritizes a specific "look" over the flexibility that long-time users actually need. Additionally, the new Start menu is far less informative; losing the live tiles means I can’t see my weather or calendar events at a glance anymore, and the "Recommended" section often feels like wasted space that I’d rather use for pinned apps. The least helpful part of the OS is the aggressive push for integrated services and "badges" that are essentially just ads. Whether it’s pop-ups suggesting I switch to Edge, or "reminders" to subscribe to Microsoft 365, it can feel like the operating system is constantly trying to sell me something rather than just letting me work. Even the hardware requirements feel unnecessarily strict—knowing that perfectly capable PCs are being left behind because of TPM requirements or specific CPU generations makes the whole upgrade feel less like a choice and more like a forced hardware refresh. The biggest downside, however, is the inconsistency in the user interface. While the new parts look great, you don't have to dig very deep to find menus that look like they haven’t been touched since Windows 7 or even XP. This "split personality" between the modern Settings app and the old Control Panel makes navigation feel disjointed. Plus, the recent trend of buggy updates in 2026—where some patches have caused issues with cloud storage or even app crashes—makes me more hesitant to hit the "Update" button than I used to be. It’s a beautiful system, but it often feels like it's still a work in progress. Review Source JJ Janet J. Student E-Learning Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Great user interface that is easy to use once u get the hang of it" April 21, 2025 5.0 Ovrrall Windows 11 bas very good programming and I havr noy had any issues with the interface since initially learning how to use the new lrogram Pros I like the ease of use and the security features. While windows 10 isnprobably my favorite user interface, windows 11 runs a close 2nd once a i figure dout how to use it. Cons At first I had a significantly difficult time figureing out the new interface as it was so much different than Windows 10 Review Source VR Verified Reviewer Computer Service Technician Education Management Used the software for: 2+ years ### "A Welcome Improvement" February 24, 2025 4.0 Windows 11 is a welcome improvement from past versions. It improves the usability of my computer without getting in my way. It's more refined and looks better without confusing employees. Pros It's easy to be productive. It's intuitive and has features we use constantly that are missing from Windows 10, like improved window snapping, but without being jarringly different from past versions of Windows. Cons Some updates have to be delayed to ensure data integrity, and some features which could distract from productivity need to be disabled through group policy, such as news headlines on the lock screen. Review Source CB Cooper B. Director of Media Ministries Non-Profit Organization Management Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Good operating system, just not offered to a wide enough audience to become popular" February 9, 2025 4.0 While not as good as Windows 10, Windows 11 is perfectly fine, despite it's lack of compatibility with older machines. Pros Windows has the most compatibility and is the most widely used. While there are still many on Windows 10, Windows 11 is very similar and all of our programs still work. Cons I wish that computers that were a little bit older were eligible for the upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11. We have a few computers that are 7th generation Intel Core, but the oldest generation for Intel core processors are 8th generation. 7th generation is still perfectly capable in my opinion and many of those machines are still in use for us. Review Source FP Fred P. Self employed Customer service and tech support consultant Marketing and Advertising Used the software for: 2+ years ### "My windows 11 review." November 13, 2025 5.0 the jump from windows 10 to 11 was a real upgrade in ways that it surely was done to make it better, the simplified steps that makes it a great OS are mostly here Pros The polished way it looks and works, to my opinion, it's still the operating system to go, others are great too, not to talk smack about them, and I would say that in sometimes in a very specific way better, but Windows is to me the best and widely accepted. Cons The native support for Android apps that was promised at first, yes, there are ways to make it possible, but not quite, in some cases and it's understandable that needs to be done on a somewhat decent computer (good ram, cpu, gpu etc) Review Source Bryan J. Democratic Presidential Candidate Accounting Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "Windows 11 Review" January 15, 2026 5.0 I have loved every minute of using windows 11, because you can constantly learn something new about the software as you use it. Pros It was the best operating system they have ever made and I am looking forward to the release of windows 12! The user interface is so easy to use and very easy to learn how to use the system. Cons When Windows XP first come out they had the control panel in a place where you could find it easily. Windows 11 thou, in order to find the control panel, you have to type control panel in the search bar to get to it. Review Source DB Don B. Owner Mechanical or Industrial Engineering Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "No Need for windows 11" January 28, 2026 1.0 My old computer worked fine other than it slowing down I think primarily because of all the garbage Microsoft loaded in with every "update" Pros Nothing. Just seems to be a marketing upgrade for Microsoft. For basic day to day there is no advantage. Cons The cost and time to purchase and transfer information. By constantly sowing fear that windows 10 would put our computers at risk was nothing but a marketing ploy. Review Source NR Nadia R. MEDICAL RECEPTIONIST Health, Wellness and Fitness Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Windows 11 is an amazing update" February 26, 2025 5.0 I found that windows 11 is very user friendly and has a super modern design Pros its faster and more streamline than windows 10 Cons I wish it were free to upgrade and more compatible with most devices Review Source PS Pebbles S. Insurance Agent Insurance Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Windows 11" December 15, 2024 5.0 I am really enjoying Windows 11, and continuing to learn about all it has to offer. Like everything these days it takes time, to get comfortable with new and improved programs. Change is a part of just about everything now and I see Windows 11 as a positive one. Pros The new sleek design and rounded edges. The ability to have Android apps through Amazon they have limits, but its still a great new feature. I like the new background better that the light coming through the window. It also seem like the task bar, stands out more. Cons I will have to get a separate app to use Cortana. Review Source JG Johan G. Application Specialist Computer Software Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Windows 11, a great upgrade" August 13, 2024 5.0 It was an easy upgrade from Windows 10, everything worked from the start. Pros It's smooth, easy to update and everything works with it. Cons The hardware reqs. It works great on hardware with lower specs. Review Source AT Alex T. Reablement Officer Hospital & Health Care Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Windows 11 has all the best bits and chopped out the bad bits" January 15, 2025 5.0 I use it for productivity and gaming. Connectivity is excellent as can connect any of my devices easily. Bluetooth ones particularly were once a pain but now my system remembers them. Updates are frequent but not too so. Pros I've been working with windows since version 3.1 so seen a lot of changes. Windows 11 is the most robust and simplified version yet. Cons I don't like that when you do a fresh install it makes everything bright grey and has the task bar in the middle. Review Source IB Ian B. NOC Manager Information Technology and Services Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "The Best New Operating System" January 3, 2025 5.0 I have had a pleasant experience using Windows 11 and like how fast it updates and lets you use it real time. Pros The new design and simplified layout makes it easy to navigate the new operating system. Cons It can take some time to get used to the platform. Review Source BR Brittany R. Practice Manager Veterinary Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Windows 11 Review" January 14, 2025 4.0 Pros Windows 11 is fast and very simple to use. Cons Windows 11 does need to be updated frequently. Review Source JO James O. Owner Retail Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "Update stole my files" January 30, 2023 1.0 So right now I can do email because I use a cloud based browser, Chrome, which i had to download. I am missing Filemaker, which means I cannot do any database business. I am missing Wordpefect, which means I cannot do any word processing. I am missing the Block tax program. None of there are free programs. Even if I were to buy and install them, I would sti be missing my fonts. So I w il be basically off today until after the Geek tech comes over and takes a look. for $125/hour. I hope he can restore the damage. Otherwise we will have to spend a bundle to buy the missing programs and then configure them. Pros Nothing, See below. Right at the moment there is nothing to like. Cons Here is what has happened with my computer:Sometime Friday night or Saturday morning (January 27-28, 2023), my computer downloaded a Windows 11 update. When I started work Saturday morning it said I had to restart the computer, so I did. When it was finished updating I had Windows with an unfamiliar desktop wallpaper. My Chrome browser was missing, so I had to download it again, then I noticed other changes: All of my files were gone, all of my programs (like Filemaker, Wordperfect, H&R Block, Scribus) were gone. There was no memory before January 28, no restore dates. I troubleshot as best as I could. It took all morning. I had a conversation with a BestBuy tech who said he could not find my files and it looked like my hard drive was wiped and replaced.Later on Saturday I found some, maybe all, of my files in a directory that was created on January 27 on the E drive. My pictures were there and some of my documents. I found Wordperfect in the driver file, but it was a setup program. When I tried to install it, my license was rejected as already used. So I aborted the setup. I did download and setup Scribus (a free program). It could not find any 'recent' scribus files to open, but I did on the E drive directory and moved one to the C drive. Scribus did open it, but it was a mess: myfonts are all gone so Arial was substituted for all of them missing fonts. None of the graphics were there--probably because they were moved by the update. See below for continuation Reason for choosing Windows 11 Until now we have been really happy with Windows products Review Source SG Steve G. IT specialist Consumer Goods Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "Windows 11 is a worthwhile upgrade, highly recommended" June 6, 2022 5.0 Overall windows 11 is a very great system. A much needed upgrade/update to windows 10. Luckily they kept most of the details the same as windows 10 so its not too much of a learning curve to learn how to use/assist co-workers & staff. highly recommend upgrading from the dated windows 10 OS. Pros Windows 11 has very minimal changes, but overall feels much faster. Most of the bugs have been fixed since launch with their monthly updates. As far as for commercial use/work use I would believe its ready to be deployed and start testing your software with it. For end-users there isnt much of a difference other than the start menu & the taskbar aswell as the context menu. Its very quick, looks modern & has plenty of new features for IT Admin security. Cons The least favorite thing about windows 11 is the context menu. I dont understand why they got rid of all of the options and now I have to click "show more options" every single time i need to do something. There should be an easy setting to revert back to the regular context menu. I've found some software like winaerotweaker that's able to change it back to the default aswell as some other fixes. Reason for choosing Windows 11 Ease of use, company use, easy setup for connection to active directory. Review Source JB Jay B. Project Consultant Public Policy Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Windows 11: Best Windows OS Version from Microsoft" June 7, 2024 5.0 Pros The improved performance and efficiency of Windows 11, especially with optimized multitasking features like Snap Layouts, significantly boost productivity. This makes managing multiple tasks and applications seamless. Cons The higher system requirements of Windows 11 mean that it is incompatible with older hardware, forcing some users to upgrade their devices to install the new OS. Some legacy applications and hardware are not fully supported in Windows 11, leading to compatibility issues and potential disruptions in workflow. Review Source ZB Zakaria B. computer engineering Computer Hardware Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "you most try windows 11, much better experience." December 31, 2022 5.0 overall experience I would really recommend you to give windows 11 a try and trust me you will like it, it looks much smoother Pros Microsoft has made a huge leap by releasing windows 11, I'm totally surprised by the changes that they made, it is totally different than the previous version, they made a big change to the user and desktop interface, and it looks too much better now, at first I was a little bit scared of the security and I said maybe this gonna drop my system performance while working or gaming, but I was totally wrong, I'm having a really good gaming experience, the performance better than before. the program Icons look much better and more modern than before. security is increased. It's gonna take you a little bit of time to explore the new system. the system runs much smoother than before. to be honest, I'm still exploring the new features, but trust me it's a better experience. Cons I'm using it for almost one year, I haven't seen something strange. Review Source BM Bharathi M. Site Engineer Civil Engineering Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "Next Gen Update " September 25, 2023 4.0 It's very good but need some updates like windows defender issue. Pros We can work on multiple windows at the same time with our liking, its interface looks futuristic and best in class Cons Windows defender is slowing the computer by using most of the memory from the hardware and software. I'm worried about virus attacks, if i disable the window defender Review Source MP Mark P. It Engineer Environmental Services Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Windows 11, upgrade or not?" October 25, 2022 5.0 Experience is good, but you have to study again. :-) Pros What i like is the looks and feel of the new Windows 11. They introduced some new features but for other users, does become hard thing for them. Cons Because of some changes, you have to learn and memorize those new features they created and forget what you used to do. Reason for choosing Windows 11 We tried Windows 11 to see what's new and to test which of our existing program will not work anymore. Review Source TO Tim O. Manager Marketing and Advertising Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Poor support from Windows" April 13, 2024 3.0 My laptop and mobile phone both us the same modem - like many people. The phone is an Android, and my laptop uses Windows. Laptop Windows crashes from time to time, with a message that the wifi adapter is disabled. Android phone is unaffected. Yet Windows support refuses to accept that the problem is with their product. Support gave up replying to my emails. Disappointing if they want to be the standard. Pros Windows has become a standard product, used by many organisations and individuals. Cons It is clunky, slow and frustrating. Support doesn't really help. Review Source RM Ricardo M. Analista de Redes Hospital & Health Care Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Windows 11, Good Operational System " June 30, 2022 5.0 Pros It is an operating system with a very friendly graphical interface, it has security improvements and it is much more functional. This has also improved performance so it is much faster when executing programs, files and any other of its functions. Cons One of the things that I did not like is that it is more complex to use for the user, the mail application was not renewed. Although its view is friendly, you can see details in the windows and it resembles the view of Windows 8. The Cortana assistant does not appear through the installation or in the taskbar by default. Review Source VG Victor G. infrastructure analyst Hospital & Health Care Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "excellent system" June 10, 2022 4.0 Pros It is extremely fast, it has new and better features that give a better use and a better environment when using the system. Cons I installed windows 11 since it came out, and the first week it gave me a black screen and it restarted, after it was updated, it has never happened again, this would be the only thing that has happened to me Review Source Similar Products Featured