Microsoft Windows 11: Difference between revisions

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==Consumer impact summary==

===User ~~Freedom~~===

===User freedom===

Windows 11 has several and more restrictions than their previous version, Windows 10. These restrictions usually prevent the user to configure the system to their liking. Some notable restrictions are:

*In order to use the operating system, it is required to link a Microsoft account. Since October 2025 local accounts cannot be created and Microsoft has blocked ways to bypass the Microsoft account requirement.

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*Like with Windows 10, [[OneDrive]] synchronization is active by default. The File Explorer redirects the local file shortcuts to the OneDrive file addresses.

===User ~~Privacy~~===

===User privacy===

*Telemetry is active by default and cannot be completely disabled without using third-party tools.

*Due to a Microsoft account being officially required to run Windows 11, the privacy policy of Microsoft's account related services also partially apply to Windows 11.

===Business ~~Model~~===

===Business model===

*Windows comes pre-installed on most of the computers and laptops sold to consumers and businesses.

*The operating system license can also be acquired by an one-time purchase.

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**Ads can also appear on the lock screen, notifications, start menu and on the desktop.

===Market ~~Control~~===

===Market control===

Windows 11 is installed on more than 30% of all computers world wide. <ref>{{Cite web |last=StatCounter |date=2025-07-01 |title=Desktop Windows Market Share Worldwide |url=https://gs.statcounter.com/windows-version-market-share/desktop/worldwide |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250720124002/https://gs.statcounter.com/windows-version-market-share/desktop/worldwide |archive-date=2025-07-20 |access-date=2025-08-17}}</ref> Windows 11 collects user data including but not limited to hardware specs, apps and drivers installed on the device, app activity, device settings and configuration, web browser history, etc. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Microsoft Corporation |date=2025-04-01 |title=Data Collection Summary for WIndows |url=https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/privacy/data-collection-windows |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250729153757/https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/privacy/data-collection-Windows |archive-date=2025-07-29 |access-date=2025-08-17 |website=Microsoft}}</ref>

==Incidents==

@@ Line 6: / Line 6: @@
 ==Consumer impact summary==
-===User Freedom===
+===User freedom===
 Windows 11 has several and more restrictions than their previous version, Windows 10. These restrictions usually prevent the user to configure the system to their liking. Some notable restrictions are:
 *In order to use the operating system, it is required to link a Microsoft account. Since October 2025 local accounts cannot be created and Microsoft has blocked ways to bypass the Microsoft account requirement.
@@ Line 16: / Line 16: @@
 *Like with Windows 10, [[OneDrive]] synchronization is active by default. The File Explorer redirects the local file shortcuts to the OneDrive file addresses.
-===User Privacy===
+===User privacy===
 *Telemetry is active by default and cannot be completely disabled without using third-party tools.
 *Due to a Microsoft account being officially required to run Windows 11, the privacy policy of Microsoft's account related services also partially apply to Windows 11.
-===Business Model===
+===Business model===
 *Windows comes pre-installed on most of the computers and laptops sold to consumers and businesses.
 *The operating system license can also be acquired by an one-time purchase.
@@ Line 27: / Line 27: @@
 **Ads can also appear on the lock screen, notifications, start menu and on the desktop.
-===Market Control===
+===Market control===
 Windows 11 is installed on more than 30% of all computers world wide. <ref>{{Cite web |last=StatCounter |date=2025-07-01 |title=Desktop Windows Market Share Worldwide |url=https://gs.statcounter.com/windows-version-market-share/desktop/worldwide |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250720124002/https://gs.statcounter.com/windows-version-market-share/desktop/worldwide |archive-date=2025-07-20 |access-date=2025-08-17}}</ref> Windows 11 collects user data including but not limited to hardware specs, apps and drivers installed on the device, app activity, device settings and configuration, web browser history, etc. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Microsoft Corporation |date=2025-04-01 |title=Data Collection Summary for WIndows |url=https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/privacy/data-collection-windows |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250729153757/https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/privacy/data-collection-Windows |archive-date=2025-07-29 |access-date=2025-08-17 |website=Microsoft}}</ref>
 ==Incidents==