Microsoft really, really wants you to ‘meet’ Windows 11

Windows 11 has been out for over a year now, but remains quite divisive even amongst Windows users, with many still not making the jump from Windows 10. Just taking a look at the Steam hardware stats for June 2022 for example, there’s still 71% of users on Windows 10, with only 21% of users there having swapped to Windows 11.

Microsoft themselves probably have realised the slow uptake for Windows 11 among their users—not helped by their strict hardware requirements of course—and so they’ve been relentlessly pushing out tips, tricks and campaigns to convince users to make the switch to Windows 11. The latest one from the Redmond company is a short playlist of three videos, part of the Meet Windows 11 series.

“If you’re just starting out with Windows 11 – or looking for refreshers on making the most out of it – there’s a new video series that will help you with staying organized, keyboard shortcuts, personalizing your experience, apps and tools,” – Athima Chansanchai, Microsoft

The first episode of Meet Windows 11 is pretty basic, literally. It’s devised to help you get around using Windows 11, and to try out some of the features such as universal search by selecting search on the taskbar of hitting the Windows+S keys and then typing in what you’re looking for. It also gives you some tips on how to use desktop groups for organising between work and personal stuff, as well as all of the basic keyboard shortcuts that you might not have known, such as using the Windows+Left arrow keys for maximising the window on the left of the screen, Windows+Semicolon for opening the emoji panel, and Windows+V to open the clipboard history.

In episode two of Meet Windows 11, Microsoft gives you tips on how to personalise your PC, which includes how to choose your theme, background and set up dark mode too. There’s also a guide on how to snap your windows for having multiple windows open at the same time, as well as how to use widgets and the voice typing feature by hitting Windows+H key. Furthermore, it gives you the lowdown on using Microsoft Edge’s collections feature that lets you keep track of your webpages as you surf the web.

The last episode of the Meet Windows 11 series is short and simple: try out all of the new stuff Microsoft has packed into Windows 11. These include the new Photos app, the Phone Link feature that lets you hook up an Android smartphone to your PC, and the new look on classic programs such as Mail, Calendar and Paint. It also gives you a run down on the new built-in coupon tracker in Microsoft Edge, as well as telling you to check out the Microsoft Store.

As someone who’s perhaps a bit more tech literate than the target demographic of the Meet Windows 11 series, it’s actually a pretty decent introduction and guide for someone who’s perhaps very new to computers in general, like perhaps your elderly relatives or your child. Windows 11 may still have its detractors, but having used it for quite some time now I’m actually a fan of it, and I think it’s worth at least giving it a try before rejecting it outright.

If you want to check out the Meet Windows 11 series in full, you can click here to see the full post up on the Windows blog.