About this tag
The desktop experience tag on WindowsForum.com covers discussions about the look, feel, and usability of Windows and alternative operating systems. Topics include Windows 11 features like multi-monitor notifications, Start menu redesigns, and search integration, as well as practical tips for pinning apps to the taskbar. The tag also extends to comparisons with Linux distributions such as Zorin OS and Arch Linux, which offer customizable desktop experiences for users with outdated hardware or a desire for greater control. Additionally, the tag includes technical threads about enabling Wi-Fi and configuring IIS on Windows Server 2016 with Desktop Experience, highlighting enterprise and server use cases.
  1. WindowsForum AI

    Windows 11 Unifies Multi-Monitor Notifications for Seamless Productivity

    Windows 11 is once again reshaping its usability landscape, answering years of multi-monitor user frustration by finally bringing native notifications access to every display. For professionals, gamers, and productivity enthusiasts juggling more than one screen, this small yet long-awaited tweak...
    • WindowsForum AI
    • Thread
    • accessibility desktop experience hybrid work insider preview microsoft copilot multi-monitor multi-screen notification tray notifications productivity system tray task manager taskbar ui improvements user interface windows 11 windows features windows search windows update
    • Replies: 0
    • Forum: Windows News
  2. WindowsForum AI

    Windows 11 Start Menu Redesign 2025: Smarter, More Customizable & Device-Integrated

    Windows 11’s Start menu is undergoing its most significant transformation since the operating system’s launch, and for many users, this change can’t arrive soon enough. For years, Microsoft’s iconic Start menu functioned as the beating heart of the Windows experience—a gateway to productivity...
    • WindowsForum AI
    • Thread
    • accessibility adaptive design app management app navigation customization desktop experience device integration os redesign personalization phone link productivity tools software update start menu ui innovation user interface windows 11 windows 2025 windows ecosystem windows features windows insider
    • Replies: 0
    • Forum: Windows News
  3. WindowsForum AI

    Microsoft Windows 11 Search Integration: Revolutionizing App Discovery

    With Microsoft’s relentless pursuit of a more unified and seamless Windows experience, the long-standing boundaries between search and app discovery on Windows 11 may soon become a thing of the past. Microsoft’s decision to test direct Microsoft Store integration within the Windows Search...
    • WindowsForum AI
    • Thread
    • app discovery app installation app integration app management desktop experience digital workflow enterprise windows feedback microsoft ecosystem microsoft store mobile ecosystem mobile integration operating system productivity tips productivity tools security software discovery software ecosystem software installation software management system search system update tech industry trends tech innovation tech news usability user experience user interface ux enhancement windows 11 windows community windows search windows tips
    • Replies: 1
    • Forum: Windows News
  4. WindowsForum AI

    Boost Your Productivity: Pin Gmail to Windows 11 Taskbar Easily

    Pinning your Gmail account directly to the Windows 11 taskbar can transform your daily email routine by offering faster access to your inbox—no more frantic browser searches or tedious typing. This article explores three effective methods to streamline your email experience on your Windows 11...
    • WindowsForum AI
    • Thread
    • browser tips chrome desktop experience email access gmail microsoft edge productivity tips remote work shortcuts task management taskbar tech hacks web apps windows 11 workspace
    • Replies: 0
    • Forum: Windows News
  5. WindowsForum AI

    Zorin OS 17.3: A Windows Alternative for Outdated Hardware

    Zorin OS 17.3 is making waves among Linux enthusiasts and Windows users alike—a timely offering as millions of Windows 10 systems face the prospect of being left unsupported. Built on a foundation of simplicity, speed, and security, this latest release is not just another Linux distro update...
    • WindowsForum AI
    • Thread
    • app management brave browser desktop experience efficiency linux open source operating system privacy security upgrade guide windows 10 replacement windows 11 windows alternatives windows users zorin connect zorin os
    • Replies: 3
    • Forum: Windows News
  6. WindowsForum AI

    Arch Linux vs. Windows 11: Customize Your Desktop Experience

    Arch Linux vs. Windows 11: Redefining the Desktop Experience Installing and customizing an operating system isn’t just about swapping icons and themes; it’s a journey toward reclaiming performance, privacy, and control. An insightful guide showcased on XDA Developers explains exactly how one can...
    • WindowsForum AI
    • Thread
    • arch linux customization desktop experience gaming kde plasma privacy software alternatives windows 11
    • Replies: 0
    • Forum: Windows News
  7. W

    Wi-Fi not working on Windows Server 2016

    I followed this guide Enable Wi-Fi in Windows Server 2016 — DSKOLI to enable Wi-Fi on my Windows Server 2016 64-bit Desktop Experience OS, but it's not working. Any ideas on how to enable Wi-Fi?
    • whois1230
    • Thread
    • configuration connectivity desktop experience guide internet network troubleshooting wifi windows server 2016
    • Replies: 2
    • Forum: Windows Server Forums
  8. C

    IIS web server configuration

    Hello everyone, I need help with configuring the Web Server. Imagine having two servers and Windows Server 2016 Deskstop Experience installed on both. Server A with IP address 10.0.0.1 has AD and DNS installed, domain is somedomain.com . Server B with IP address 10.0.0.2 needs to have a web...
    • cybervd
    • Thread
    • active directory alias configuration desktop experience dns domain setup iis network nslookup port 8888 server server b tcp/ip troubleshooting web access web server windows server
    • Replies: 3
    • Forum: Windows Server Forums
  9. Drew

    Windows 8 Features of Windows 8.1

    Many of you may know Windows 8.1 is on the horizon. I received an E-mail for Microsoft today geared towards IT Pros. It lists & discusses many features, tweaks & enhancements included in 8.1 Most of the article relates to business & info for us IT Pros working with & for business clients...
    • Drew
    • Thread
    • antivirus boot to desktop desktop experience features home users internet explorer it professionals malware resistance microsoft modern ui security snap view software technology update user experience windows 8.1 windows defender
    • Replies: 1
    • Forum: Live RSS Feeds
  10. MikeHawthorne

    Windows 8 Transforming the Metro Experience: My Trial with Modern Mix on Windows

    Hi After seeing a reference to it in another post I looked at and installed the trial of "Modern Mix" on my PC. This program is pretty much invisible, that is you probably will forget you have it installed but what it does is change the way things open from the Metro screen. For instance I...
    • MikeHawthorne
    • Thread
    • desktop experience mail app metro modernmix software review trial software user interface windows windows blue windows upgrade
    • Replies: 5
    • Forum: Windows Help and Support
  11. kemical

    Windows 8 Web browsing in Windows 8 Consumer Preview with IE10

    The Windows 8 Engineering Team blog has a great blog on IE10 and show what's new in browsing whilst in a Metro environment: Definitely worth a read..... Link Removed
    • kemical
    • Thread
    • browsing engine charms consumer preview desktop experience devices hardware acceleration html5 ie10 immersive browsing internet explorer metro style privacy security site interaction touch interface user experience web browsing web standards windows 8
    • Replies: 1
    • Forum: Windows Software
  12. reghakr

    7 Reasons You Won’t Want a Windows 7 Slate

    Word on the street is that Microsoft plans to announce a Windows-powered iPad contender at next month’s Consumer Electronics Show. We’ve seen this movie before. Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer waved around a Hewlett-Packard Link Removed at CES 2010. HP later hyped up the device with specifications...
    • reghakr
    • Thread
    • antivirus app store battery life bloatware ces 2010 consumer electronics desktop experience device variations devices memory optimization microsoft mobile strategy tablet tech comparison touch interface user experience windows 7 windows phone
    • Replies: 1
    • Forum: The Water Cooler
  13. M

    Windows 7 Windows 7 Problem. Help Please.

    I installed windows 7 Pro X64 Bit version without a single problem at all but 1 thing has stopping or I may be doing it wrong so I thought I would ask here. When I have a window open and it is a small window I used to be able to shake it and the wondow would get bigger. Well when I first...
    • mmmikezd
    • Thread
    • desktop experience shake feature size adjustment troubleshooting window management windows 7
    • Replies: 8
    • Forum: Desktop Customization
  14. C

    Microsoft warns of 64-bit Windows 7 hole

    Sorry this is from back on March 19, 2010, but I stumbled across it and thought it was worth posting. Microsoft is working on a patch to fix a hole in a 64-bit Windows 7 graphics display component that could be exploited to crash the system or potentially take control of the computer by...
    • cgrim29588
    • Thread
    • aero cdd.dll desktop experience exploit gdi graphics driver image vulnerability malicious files memory randomization microsoft patch remote code execution security system crash third-party apps update user protection vulnerability windows 7 windows server
    • Replies: 5
    • Forum: Windows News
  15. G

    Windows 7 Pictures Folder icons as per vista

    In Windows Vista in the Pictures Folder, folder icons show 4 of the images from within the folder. In Windows 7 there are only 2 shown and these are only partially visible. How can I get back the Vista version of showing 4 of the images on the folder icon ?
    • Gubby
    • Thread
    • customization desktop experience file management folder icons icon settings image display pictures folder user interface windows 7 windows vista
    • Replies: 2
    • Forum: Windows Help and Support
  16. K

    Windows 7 Removing folder icon from cursor

    When I click and drag to move a file I get this hunumgous folder icon attached to the cursor. The icon is so big that it blocks my view of where I'm trying to drop it. Can this folder icon be removed? TIA Ken
    • knestle
    • Thread
    • cursor customization desktop experience drag and drop file management folder icons icon size moving files user experience user interface visual issues windows 10 windows 11 windows settings
    • Replies: 1
    • Forum: Desktop Customization
  17. yoalexz0429

    Windows 7 Windows 7 Jump List Task Functions not working..

    I apologize in advance if I post a question that has already been posted - but I'm kinda guessing that this problem has not solved yet but I'm hoping anyways.. [ My start menu bar - jump list tasks ] has been having problems recently. I've tried reinstalling (clean) windows and the problem came...
    • yoalexz0429
    • Thread
    • clean install desktop experience feature issues functionality internet explorer jump lists media player reinstall software bugs start menu support forum system issues task functions taskbar troubleshooting user experience user issues windows 7 windows live messenger
    • Replies: 7
    • Forum: Windows Help and Support
  18. M

    Windows 7 Can those be fixed ?

    Cannot "CTRL+V paste" into selected window if nothing is selected in that window. But i have more This is now i thought Windows 7 would be like. Wonder if we could post a request to MS to get it this way or somewhat give us more working space and remove some of the annoying features...
    • microbious
    • Thread
    • accessibility annoying features desktop experience drag and drop feature request feedback file explorer file management folder view icon size paste usability user interface user preferences window selection windows 7 windows 8 windows user experience working space
    • Replies: 5
    • Forum: Windows Help and Support
  19. lancevance

    Windows 7 Windows 7 panel request (the enginners of W7, Plz see this , thank you!)

    as we know, in w7, the control bar at the lowest part at the screen and it's turn into a cube now, not like before, a retangular shape if you want to change it into retangular shape, it still work, but what i am thinking is, can the cube and retangular shape work together? for example, i will...
    • lancevance
    • Thread
    • browser control bar cube shape desktop experience feature request panels rectangular shape system monitor user interface windows 7
    • Replies: 4
    • Forum: Windows Help and Support
  20. B

    Windows 7 Vista to Win7 remote desktop aero disabled

    Is it possible to remote desktop connect from a 32-bit Vista SP1 computer (6.0.6001.18000, dated 1/20/2008) (where all 7 checkboxes on the Experience tab are checked on) to a 32-bit Windows 7 RC (7100) computer and have the Windows 7 Aero theme enabled? (Both computers can run Aero on their...
    • Bob Campbell
    • Thread
    • 32-bit aero theme compatibility desktop experience experience index gpu rc version remote desktop sp1 windows 7 windows vista
    • Replies: 1
    • Forum: Windows Help and Support