The change from Windows 6/7/8 to 10 was a much greater change than from 10 to 11, so just get used to it. It's hard for me to separate out the various changes as I did 3 changes at the same time: computer (HP to Samsung), Windows (10 to 11) and MS Office (2011 to 365 subscription).

PC users don't significantly interact with an operating system, any more than a car's driver interacts with the car's ignition control or propulsion systems. The OS makes the PC run. The need for user interaction is relatively limited.

The vast majority of user interactions and the user experience are affected by programs and apps, not with operating systems. Learn how to turn the PC on, start the program you want, and then forget what's under the hood. Using a browser or most common programs with XP or Win11 or Linux or Apple OS or whatever is essentially the same experience. The OS doesn't matter.

What Elmer is offering is basically true...but...there are still a few personalizations that can be made in Win 10 and 365 that may not carry over to Win 11.

I operate Win 10 with some 21H2 additions and Win 365. I am slowly going blind and I have configured my settings to accommodate this...increasing not just my mail font but increasing the size of my font throughout my system.

Win 365 installed an update a week or so ago and threw all my settings out. They did it thinking they were doing me a favor by advancing parts of Win 11 which I would neither use nor want. Let me tell you...it took me quite a while this past weekend to undo the damage 365 did to my system and it's still not up to snuff.

So...if you are particular about certain settings, Jane...and similar issues...yes...they can still be affected.

I've found settings changes can happen with most types of upgrades on every type of hardware I have. Whether OS or app changes on an Android phone, app or iOS changes on an Apple device, or Windows, browser, or other program changes on a PC - personal settings and preferences are often changed. What I've seen to be common with all browsers, just as one example, are changes to the home page or the default search system used, sometimes both. MS Edge can change settings to BIng and an MS page for home, Chrome updates sometimes changes settings to Google Search and Google, Firefox tends to change the home page to a Mozilla or Firefox page. Other apps and programs do other things.

Another way of saying - these seem to be common occurrences to expect and deal with. People who prefer status quo with IT devices should get Apple products only and never change any default settings.

Under usual circumstances, Elmer...this situation wouldn't have bothered me one iota. I'd go in and reverse the changes and go along my merry old way. Unfortunately...this time around it's impossible. I can't remove the update to WORD 365 and even thou I removed an optional update to 21H2 it didn't reverse the damage done. That's my point. Apparently, the changes made via Win 11 aren't reversible. You can get "there" but you can't return.

Thanks for your advice...but I'll hobble along with the system I have. I managed to readjust enough of my settings so I can still operate/see...and that's the most important factor.

FWIW, you have 10 days after a Windows 11 upgrade to revert back to Windows 10. After that it becomes more difficult. Reverting back to Windows 10.

Thank you, jrb. That's very helpful info. Apparently, I didn't catch the change in time. I was informed a couple of months ago that my version of Win 10 doesn't support Win 11 so I was rather perplexed when I discovered the 365 update that caused my problems. Needless to say...the entire experience has made me extremely cautious now...and that's a good thing IMO. I always check what's in a Win 10 update before I load it but haven't been as careful with 365. I finally found the "switch" to turn off 365 auto update so hopefully I won't have any more surprises.

I think both Libre Office and even Google Docs provide very viable alternatives to MS365. If you're a power user and create complex files using the panoply of features, even one of the deprecated full install versions from a few years back ($50 or less) may be suitable. Truth be told, I'm still using Office 2007 on Win 10 and it works normally. I'll continue to use it so long as OS changes remain compatible.

Consider yourself lucky, Elmer. Win 10 wouldn't honor my purchased version of Office 2007....or 2010. If they had...I'd still be using one of them, too. But...thanks to an aggressive mouse who chewed on my wiring and blew out my previous system...I found myself in the position of having to replace the entire system/computer post haste and did so with a new all-in-one Lenovo. Purchasing 365 was the most expeditious thing I could do at the time. I needed Outlook and Word immediately.

Thank you, Elmer I shall give those some thought. When one can't see too well...one doesn't go roaming around or looking to add apps. Staying put in my relative comfort zone ...with the "known"...is much easier on my nerves...as well as my eyes. But that is not to say that my curiosity is a deceased animal. I'll take a look the next time I have a better sight day.

Maybe it'll help, that's why I mentioned it. Use the phrase I cited for online sales, that was the website I found with the offer.

Thanks for the discussion. I had a hard time going from XP to Win 7. I used my computer for work and home. Each time I upgraded settings were changed and with Win 10 they changed the names of things I used daily. I figured it out, but it took time and I don't like that. Change the operating system but leave the Folders the same. When you are working in an office, you need to get work done, not figure out where MY Documents went.

Apple tends to keep things constant. I use an Apple phone and am tempted to get a Mac computer to prevent these problems from happening with each update. Of course, working in an office you have no choice. But I worry using both operating system might confuse me even more.

I really would like to know what changes this upgrade makes. I don't want to spend hours, days, to figure out what has changed and what new name they decided to call it.

I'm an old lady now, 73 and really like to use things which stay fairly constant. Each time Microsoft makes changes, they do things which take time to learn over again.

Not as sharp as I was 20 yrs ago but do use my computer daily doing financial work for family.

I dread this update and might just stick it out until they stop supporting Win 10.

Thanks for all the information.

Oh, Elmer, I too still use Word 7! Guess that will be gone with this upgrade.

Jane

Well, I am vaccinated, however I have no idea what that has to do with my computer.

Jane, I think that was a snide comment about the life expectancy of an unvaccinated person!

This is a computer forum! I’m looking for computer advice not health. Move to another forum unless you have something to add regarding Win 11.