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A Frustrated User Base Still Waiting for Change
When Microsoft launched Windows 11, it brought a sleek new design and modern UI elements—but also removed several user-favorite features that had defined the Windows experience for decades. Now, three and a half years later, the user base remains vocal, disappointed, and active on Microsoft’s Feedback Hub. From taskbar limitations to forced Bing integration, tens of thousands of users continue to demand change. Despite repeated feedback and a steady stream of votes, Microsoft has yet to resolve many of the most requested improvements. This article explores the top five community-requested Windows 11 features and the reasons behind user frustration, shedding light on why this rift between Microsoft and its loyal user base continues to grow.
Top User Complaints Still Unresolved
The Immovable Taskbar: A Stubborn Design Choice
The most upvoted request in the Feedback Hub is a simple one—users want to move the taskbar. In Windows 10, this was a basic customization option. In Windows 11, it’s missing entirely. With over 24,000 votes and thousands of comments, it’s clear this is not a niche concern. Many users feel ignored, with one going so far as to suggest replacing whoever designed the new UI. Microsoft’s vague promise to “evolve Windows 11” hasn’t translated into action, leaving loyal users feeling abandoned.
Start Menu Recommended Section: Unwanted and Unremovable
The second most hated feature is the unremovable “Recommended” section in the Start menu. With nearly 18,000 votes, users are begging Microsoft to let them hide this panel entirely. Many consider it clutter, exposing files and apps they didn’t ask to see. Worse, there’s growing fear that Microsoft might convert this space into an advertising platform. Although the 23H2 update allows users to reduce the section to a single row, full removal is still not possible—another source of irritation.
Forced Bing Search: Global Users Demand Freedom
Coming in third with 11,000+ votes is the demand for choice in the default web search engine. Windows 11 forces all search queries through Bing and opens them in Edge. Only users in the European Economic Area are spared due to new regulations. Many users outside the EU are calling for the same level of freedom, describing this policy as outdated and monopolistic. Some are also frustrated with the distracting “sparkles” near the search bar, calling for more control and customization.
High System Requirements: Unnecessary Hardware Barriers
Thousands of users are still outraged by the strict processor requirements for Windows 11. Despite owning high-end gaming rigs or enterprise-level machines, many find themselves locked out simply because of an unsupported CPU. With 8,483 votes, this feedback underscores growing concern that functional PCs are being prematurely discarded. As the end of Windows 10 support looms, users fear a wave of unnecessary e-waste and forced obsolescence.
Taskbar Customization: Still Lacking Never Combine Features
Lastly, users are demanding a return of proper taskbar controls. In Windows 10, people could prevent icon grouping and hide labels. While Windows 11 has added a “never combine” mode, it’s far from polished. Icons randomly collapse into overflow menus, labels are forced on, and space is wasted. This flawed execution has led to over 75,000 votes across the top five complaints. Users are frustrated that what used to be simple, effective design choices now feel broken or half-baked.
What Undercode Say:
User-Centric Design Ignored for Too Long
Microsoft’s decision-making process seems disconnected from its user base. The removal of simple yet beloved features—like taskbar flexibility or hiding unnecessary UI sections—reflects a top-down approach to design that disregards actual user behavior. These aren’t niche requests. They’re widespread demands coming from longtime users, developers, and IT professionals who depend on efficiency and control.
Microsoft’s Feedback Hub: A Black Hole?
The existence of a centralized Feedback Hub was meant to democratize product improvement. In reality, it now feels like a black hole where feedback goes to die. With tens of thousands of upvotes and still no resolution, users are beginning to view the platform as performative rather than productive. An automated, generic response like “We’re evolving based on feedback” feels more like corporate filler than a roadmap commitment.
Regulatory Discrepancies Add to Frustration
Microsoft’s selective compliance with regulations, as seen in the Bing search integration, only adds to global discontent. European users get more flexibility because laws demand it, but others are left behind. This disparity leads to a two-tier experience, where users in some regions enjoy freedoms others can’t access—not for technical reasons, but due to legal pressure.
Incomplete Features Add to the Chaos
Windows 11 is full of half-measures. Features like the new “never combine” taskbar mode exist, but lack polish. The more pins layout for the Start menu reduces clutter, but doesn’t remove it. This constant state of “almost there” leaves users feeling like beta testers for a product that should already be mature.
Long-Term Trust at Risk
Windows 11 should be about refining the user experience, not regressing from past successes. The failure to listen, or to act on loud and repeated feedback, creates long-term risks for Microsoft. Users start to doubt the company’s commitment to usability, which could push them toward alternative platforms or keep them clinging to outdated but functional versions like Windows 10.
Windows 10 Nostalgia Is Telling
The love for features missing from Windows 11 reflects how effective and user-oriented Windows 10 actually was. The frustration isn’t only about what’s new, but about what’s missing. When users are begging for past functionality, it suggests that the newer OS is not evolving forward—but sideways, or even backward.
Edge and Bing Integration Feels Forceful
Instead of creating better user experiences, Microsoft appears to be prioritizing ecosystem control. Forcing users into Bing and Edge without global opt-out options suggests a monopolistic bent rather than a customer-first strategy. It’s not just a missed opportunity for better design—it’s a red flag for user autonomy.
Accessibility and Personalization Gaps
Customizing a workspace should be a given in modern operating systems. Yet, Windows 11 restricts basic personalization features that are critical for accessibility and workflow optimization. Whether it’s repositioning the taskbar or removing unwanted menu sections, the system fails to accommodate varied needs.
🔍 Fact Checker Results:
✅ All user feedback points are verifiable in the Microsoft Feedback Hub
❌ Microsoft has not implemented full solutions for the top 5 requests
✅ EU-exclusive search engine flexibility is confirmed by legal compliance documentation
📊 Prediction:
Given the regulatory changes in Europe and continued user pushback, Microsoft will likely roll out global changes to the Bing search feature within the next 18 months. However, UI customization features like taskbar movement or full removal of Start menu sections may not arrive until Windows 12—if ever. The slow pace of updates suggests Microsoft is more reactive than proactive when it comes to user interface feedback.
References:
Reported By: www.bleepingcomputer.com
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