I have been on Windows 11 for over three years, since it was released in the Insider Preview, to be precise, and if there’s one thing I would say to you, it’s that you must upgrade to Windows 11. It’s not the perfect operating system, but let’s face it, there’s none out there. And if you have been a long-time Windows user like me, Windows 11 is, by far, the best option in 2025!
Why is that, even when Windows 10 has a higher market share than Windows 11? This is the question I come across every day. The answer, Windows 11 has steadily picked up pace over the last 5-8 months, drastically eroding the monopoly Windows 10 held over the OS market share, with the latest iteration now close behind at 43.22%, according to StatCounter.
If that doesn’t convince you to upgrade to Windows 11, keep reading. I have listed out 7 key aspects that the vast majority of Windows users like about Windows 11!
Why should I install Windows 11?
1. Sports a clean and modern UI
I have been a Windows user since the days of Windows XP, and there’s no denying that Windows 11 has the best UI to date. The sleek and modern-looking interface, coupled with rounded corners for apps and utilities, makes it more appealing.
The new File Explorer, one of the most debated aspects in the latest iteration, is way more user-friendly if you look at it without any prejudice or preconceived notions. You know what I liked best about the new File Explorer in Windows 11? It removed those unnecessary entries from the right-click context menu, and yet didn’t completely get rid of them. I can still access them from the “Show more options” section. The context menu looks much cleaner now!
Let’s take another example, the Settings app. In Windows 11, Microsoft has introduced a navigation pane (that includes all major sections) on the left, so that I always know which part I am in, streamlining navigation within Settings. These are things no one talks about, but they do improve the experience.
2. Faster, especially for gaming
When we talk of performance, let’s be honest, Windows was never that good. Linux and macOS almost always surpassed it. But with Windows 11, Microsoft has attempted to change the equation, making the latest iteration a significant upgrade over the past versions in terms of performance!
While this performance boost may not be visible to most of you in everyday tasks, it’s more prominent while gaming. Games, especially modern-day titles that are resource-intensive, run significantly faster on Windows 11, as has been confirmed by experts.
Why do you think Microsoft is prioritizing gaming in Windows 11? Because it wants the latest iteration to emerge as a viable gaming platform, as more and more users are now switching to PC-based gaming, ditching their consoles. It remains to be seen whether Microsoft has achieved its goals, but initial reports do suggest an inclination towards Windows 11 amongst gamers, compared to older iterations of the OS.
3. Enhanced security
In an age where cyberattacks and malware are wreaking havoc, security remains a key concern, both for developers and the end user. The good news is that Windows 11 takes these concerns into consideration and plans to tackle them, providing users with a safer experience.
Besides an improved built-in antivirus, Windows Security, the latest iteration boasts of mandatory checks like TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot. Though these two system requirements have come under heavy criticism for rendering a large number of PCs ineligible (for the upgrade to Windows 11), they provide a much-needed security boost to eligible systems and eliminate threats that try to gain root-level control over the PC.
If (and when) you upgrade to Windows 11, you will be protected against a wide array of online and localized threats. Besides, with Microsoft heavily investing resources in Windows 11, the iteration is bound to improve in terms of security in the coming months!
4. Introduces user-oriented apps and upgrades
If streamlining the Windows experience was one of Microsoft’s objectives, they have fully achieved it, at least in my opinion. The Windows 11-exclusive apps and upgrades to other pre-installed software are undoubtedly one of the best things about the latest iteration.
For instance, I frequently rely on Notepad or Sticky Notes to save some stuff or list down the tasks for the day. And the two have received massive upgrades in Windows 11. It’s not just the UI but also feature-wise!
Notepad now includes AI-powered features that can rewrite the content, condense the information, re-align the tone, language, or intent, and even reformat it for business, academic, and marketing purposes. Although you will need a Microsoft 365 subscription to use these features.
Upgrades to Sticky Notes can be found in this blog published by Microsoft.
Even the new Paint app is much more user-oriented, and that’s one of the aspects that hadn’t received much attention for a long time. This makes me believe that Microsoft has other big plans for Windows 11 down the line, changes that will further refine my experience!
5. Improves multitasking
Gone are the days when we worked on a single software at a time! New age users multitask, and I am not talking about video editors or those in a workspace, but even regular users like you and me. We all run several apps at once. And while Windows was once terrible at handling that, in Windows 11, multitasking is more seamless than ever.
In my opinion, Snap Layouts is one of the best multitasking-oriented features in Windows 11. It allows you to quickly resize active programs and arrange them on the screen, allowing easier access. I use it when creating video tutorials for WindowsExplained’s YouTube Channel.
Then come the keyboard shortcuts to pin an active window to any part of the screen. Although most of these were already a part of Windows 10. So, there’s no point going more into that. But Snap Layouts is certainly a useful upgrade!
6. Windows 11 offers AI-powered features
Whether we like it or not, the world is adapting to Artificial Intelligence, and the sooner we accept this realignment, the better off we are in the long run. Almost every major operating system out there has either already integrated AI or is in the process of doing so. And the good news is that Windows isn’t that far behind, this time around!
You already know about the AI integration in Notepad, and you may have heard about Copilot, the built-in AI assistant. But it’s not limited to these. You now have AI-powered features in Windows 11 that can simplify even the most complex tasks. You can generate images in Paint using quick prompts, and even edit pictures using advanced AI-backed tools.
I have another good news for you. Microsoft has already integrated Copilot in most of Microsoft’s apps and services, and the remaining ones should get it pretty soon. So, if you are upgrading to Windows 11 right now, get ready to experience some of the most user-friendly, AI-powered features!
7. Windows 11 is a problem solver
I have always hated the fact that Windows 10 and previous iterations of the operating system had both the Control Panel and the same options in the Settings app. Couldn’t they integrate that into one? It’s confusing, right?
Seems like someone at Microsoft had the same thought, and they have started to integrate features from the Control Panel into the unified Settings app, gradually phasing out the former. Now, most of the options within the Control Panel redirect you to the dedicated section in the Settings.
Here’s another example. I use a 2-in-1 Dell laptop, and on Windows 11, I don’t have to manually enable the Tablet Mode. As soon as I rotate the screen, Windows auto-enables the Tablet Mode. This is the sort of ease and peace of mind I expect from my laptop.
That’s why I am calling Windows 11 a problem-solver. It’s eliminating all the redundant stuff while introducing new, user-oriented features!
Let’s take Windows Updates, for instance. These, too, have witnessed a massive upgrade in Windows 11. Now, you don’t have to actively check for new versions of the OS. With the default settings in place, Windows automatically downloads and installs most updates.
According to a recent blog post by Microsoft, they are planning to introduce a unified platform for all PC-related updates, be it for installed software, drivers, or OS updates. This will simplify things to a great extent. I can’t wait for them to roll it out, although no timeline has been provided as of now!
If Windows 11 is good, what’s all the negativity about?
Every time I talk about Windows 11, there’s always someone who can’t seem to stop criticizing it. Initially, I couldn’t figure out why that was, but as I talked to more and more people about it, things became clearer.
One of the key reasons many hate Windows 11 is the strict system requirements, which leave a massive number of devices ineligible for the upgrade, even perfectly good PCs. And while there are tricks to install Windows 11 on unsupported PCs, not many are comfortable with these, especially changes to the Registry, which I completely agree with.
But you have got to realize, Windows 11 has those stringent minimum system requirements for a reason, which is to protect your PC from threats. I realize that this translates into huge spending on hardware upgrades or purchasing a new Windows 11-compatible PC altogether, but it’s meant to safeguard your data.
When should I upgrade to Windows 11?
Since I have got you one step closer to the upgrade, it’s time to answer: When should you upgrade to Windows 11?
Frankly, if your PC supports Windows 11, you should upgrade as soon as possible. It’s not just for the new AI-powered features or superior performance, but because Windows 10 will soon be out of support. This means no more security updates (unless you are willing to pay Microsoft $61 per device for a year), leaving your PC vulnerable to threats.
As for Windows 11, it will receive regular security updates as well as performance and feature-related upgrades in the years to come. While there are rumors about Windows 12, Microsoft has yet to confirm the development. So, for the next 3-5 years, Windows 11 will, in all likelihood, remain the primary focus of Microsoft.
Taking the end-of-support for Windows 10 into consideration, I have a simple question for you. What are your options? Do you plan to switch to Linux or ChromeOS? Both are perfectly good operating systems, but not an alternative to Windows. Honestly, you will have a hard time getting used to the new UI and other key settings, while a firm grip over the OS will take at least a few months at the minimum.
I am not siding with Microsoft on this, but, quite frankly, we have limited options, and upgrading Windows 11, at this point, is the most feasible one. That’s the point I’ve been trying to bring home all along!
Before you leave, discover expert-recommended tips to speed up a Windows PC and get it to run faster than ever!
Now that you know the benefits of Windows 11 and how it’s an upgrade over the previous iterations, will you jump ship, or are you still a bit hesitant? Let me know in the comments section below.
With over five years of experience in the tech industry, Kazim excels at simplifying complex topics, making them accessible to tech enthusiasts and general readers alike. He has contributed to several renowned publications worldwide, including WindowsReport and Allthings.how, bringing insightful coverage of key developments in the field.
Kazim has extensively covered the Windows ecosystem, from the early days of Windows 7 to Windows 11. Unlike many in the field, he’s optimistic about Windows 11, calling it the most user-oriented iteration to date.
When he’s not writing, you’ll find Kazim planning weekend getaways or diving into tech verticals beyond his expertise.
