8 Irritating Features of Windows 11 and How to Turn Them Off

Using Windows 11 brings to light various frustrating aspects that weren’t as noticeable in earlier editions. Personally, I find the daily performance glitches due to excessive background processes particularly irritating. A lot of users aren’t too fond of features such as Widgets, Edge, or Copilot. In this article, we’ll explore the most bothersome elements of Windows 11 that you can easily disable.

1. Resource-Intensive Startup Programs

Startup applications have long been a nuisance for Windows users, consuming critical CPU resources and hampering computer speed. Despite having a Windows 11 laptop equipped with 32 GB of RAM, I still struggle with frustrating startup delays.

Windows 11 is packed with more bloatware compared to its predecessor, leading to issues like 100% CPU or disk usage. More programs inevitably mean more background processes, resulting in a sluggish startup experience.

You don’t have to suffer from these resource-hogging startup applications. Here are three quick fixes to take control:

• Switch to an SSD: Startup delays on my system primarily stem from using an HDD—I’m reluctant to change as it’s still functional. If you already use an SSD or are considering the upgrade, you’ll notice a significant improvement in startup times.
• Terminate background processes using Task Manager: Access Task Manager by hitting Ctrl + Alt + Del. You can right-click to end any tasks related to unnecessary or uninstalled applications.
• Turn off unnecessary startup applications: Navigate to Settings -> Apps -> Startup and disable virtually everything, excluding essential audio services like Realtek to ensure audio functionality after startup.

2. Unwanted Taskbar Widgets

If we were to compare Windows 11 to a human body, the widgets would serve as useless wisdom teeth. Although intended to enhance your PC experience by providing news feeds and social media updates, they have failed to gain popularity. Considering the flood of news we already receive across different devices, who needs another app using valuable resources?

Fortunately, you can easily eliminate this irritation. Head over to Settings -> Personalization -> Taskbar -> Taskbar items and toggle off Widgets. While you’re doing that, consider disabling other System tray icons as well; I have none active, and it hasn’t impacted my PC’s performance or feature accessibility.

3. Unneeded OneDrive Backup

If there were a contest for the most poorly conceived Windows 11 features, OneDrive backup would take first prize. What could be a fantastic feature is marred by Microsoft’s relentless marketing of their Microsoft 365 plan. Online backups are beneficial, but they should be more reasonably priced than Microsoft’s current rates.

OneDrive automatically syncs all your file backups to the cloud, and you can move files manually by right-clicking. However, each Windows PC offers just 5 GB of combined email and OneDrive space, which fills quickly, compelling users to upgrade. This strategy feels manipulative and isn’t garnering positive reactions.

Despite my appreciation for Microsoft 365—having used its Personal plan and considering a switch back due to the enticing 1 TB of cloud storage—users shouldn’t feel pressured to upgrade simply because they bought a Windows 11 license.

The good news is that you can uninstall OneDrive from your Windows 11 device and keep it disabled if you avoid signing in. If you’ve already logged in, you might have noticed those bothersome OneDrive backup icons appearing next to your files. If you lack an active Microsoft 365 subscription, thoroughly sign out.

4. The Indelible Edge Browser

As of October 2024, Microsoft Edge has secured its position as the second most widely used browser on desktop systems, boasting a 15.62% market share in the U.S., slightly edging out Safari, which holds 15.2%. However, many believe that Edge achieved this status unfairly as it comes pre-installed on all Windows 11 systems.

If you attempt to uninstall Edge from your Windows 11 computer, you’ll find the Uninstall option conveniently greyed out. It’s also the default for handling various file types, including PDFs and HTML. While you can manually change file association settings, updates often revert them back to Edge.

From my experience, removing Edge is a futile endeavor. However, you can right-click to unpin Edge from the taskbar, disable it in the System tray and startup applications, as mentioned earlier. Setting an alternative browser as your default can also help reduce your encounters with Edge.

5. Copilot: Hype without Substance

Windows 11’s recent 24H2 release featured a major announcement about the Copilot app, which is central to Microsoft’s strategy for their forthcoming Copilot+ PCs. Unfortunately, the app is sluggish, unresponsive upon launch, and feels eternally slow to load. The silver lining is that uninstalling it from your device is straightforward.

While Microsoft endeavors to address bugs in the Copilot app, don’t allow it to consume your system’s resources. If you prefer not to uninstall, disable it from System tray and startup applications. You can still access Copilot via any browser while signed into Outlook or Hotmail.

6. Game Bar: Unwanted for Casual Users

The Windows Game Bar is indeed a beneficial tool, allowing users quick access to features like video screenshot capture by pressing Win + G. However, if left unchecked, it can consume excessive CPU and RAM. If you let it run while not gaming, it’s using precious resources that could be allocated elsewhere.

To turn off the Game Bar, navigate to Settings -> Gaming -> Game Bar and deactivate the Allow your controller to open Game Bar option. Additionally, in the Gaming -> Game mode section, disable Game mode.

7. Persistent Disruptions from App Badges

Among the various grievances with Windows 11, app badges rank as the most disliked feature. They consistently interrupt important activities, whether it’s banking or web browsing, sending countless annoying reminders that are simply unwelcome.

Thankfully, removing these distracting app badges is simple. Go to Settings -> Personalization -> Taskbar -> Taskbar behaviors, and uncheck both badges and flashing notifications for taskbar apps.

8. Search Highlights: Unwanted Distractions

When it comes to clutter and unnecessary information, the introduction of the Search Highlights feature is particularly bothersome. Searching for essential applications or files can lead to distractions from irrelevant data, redirecting users to unwanted web pages.

Fortunately, silencing this feature is straightforward. Simply navigate to Settings -> Privacy & Security -> More settings, and toggle off Show search highlights.

Additional Windows 11 Issues

We’ve discussed several of the most frustrating aspects of Windows 11, alongside effective strategies for mitigating them early on. Nevertheless, even more issues exist.

For instance, Windows 11 appears to be the most frequently updated operating system in Microsoft’s history, with what seems like weekly updates. Keeping up with this pace can be challenging, particularly as each update often introduces its own set of problems requiring monitoring monthly.

Another point of contention is the streamlined Start menu, which has lost the prominence it held in previous versions of Windows. Previously, users could navigate to nearly every function directly from the Start menu. Now, it has been reduced to a tiny button, expecting users to remember specific search queries for every setting. Fortunately, there are tweaks available to restore some of its usability.

Image Credit: Unsplash. All screenshots sourced by Sayak Boral.

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