Imagine buying a shiny new car, only to realize the cup holder has disappeared! Now replace the word "car" with "Windows 11" and "cup holder" with "functional calendar flyout," and you've got the picture. One of the more baffling decisions Microsoft made during its leap from Windows 10 to Windows 11 was the sheer amnesia around useful features—chief among them, the functionality of a calendar within the Action Center. But don't worry; the community of third-party developers is here to save the day, as always.
One such example is Calendar Flyout, a lightweight $3.99 app that brings back the Windows 10-style calendar flyout we loved and thought we'd never have to say goodbye to. And yes, it works like magic—because apparently, magic is precisely what we need to restore features Microsoft took away.
Buckle up, as we dive into what makes this app worth every penny, why it exists, and how Microsoft's decision here fits into the broader trend of relying on third-party developers to plug inexplicable software holes.
But along came Windows 11, sleek and redesigned but forgetting how to calendar. The new flyout essentially regresses to the point of merely looking pretty (and hey, no shade to anyone with minimalist aesthetics). But beauty without brains? The flyout doesn’t show your events, nor does it allow you to quickly schedule new ones. For users managing their day with Outlook or other calendar services, the Calendar Flyout under Windows 11 feels like…a picture of a clock that’s stuck at noon. Looks nice, but utterly useless.
And you know what's even more frustrating? It was never a bug. This wasn't an oversight but a deliberate omission, leaving many scratching their heads. Why, Microsoft? Why fix functionality that wasn't broken to begin with?
This idea, while well-intentioned, has its drawbacks. The Windows 11 calendar flyout, while undoubtedly sleek, alienates productivity-focused users who once relied on its Windows 10 equivalent. It's the digital equivalent of rebuilding your house and forgetting to install light switches.
And this isn’t the only example. Other “missing” features in Windows 11 include:
The trend nudges Windows further toward becoming a DIY operating system. It's as if Microsoft is saying, “Here’s the bare bones—customize the rest yourself.” While some advanced users love this modularity, others, particularly non-tech-savvy folks, might wonder why they suddenly need to juggle third-party apps for functionality once taken for granted.
But here’s the redeeming factor—they’re being developed by indie creators who often pour their heart and soul into these apps. Calendar Flyout’s $3.99 price essentially serves two purposes:
If you’re someone who misses the good ol’ calendar functionality of Windows 10 and would rather not juggle separate apps just to see what’s coming up, this app is absolutely worth it. It’s intuitive, seamless, and—more importantly—it reminds Microsoft that if they don’t prioritize user feedback, developers out there will.
Here’s to hoping Microsoft takes the hint. After all, an OS should work for us, not send us hunting through app stores to patch basic usability holes.
What’s your take? Would you pay $3.99 to bring this feature back, or do you think Microsoft should step up and integrate it back themselves? Let’s discuss in the forums!
Source: Windows Central This small part of Windows 11 I hate can be fixed with this tiny app
One such example is Calendar Flyout, a lightweight $3.99 app that brings back the Windows 10-style calendar flyout we loved and thought we'd never have to say goodbye to. And yes, it works like magic—because apparently, magic is precisely what we need to restore features Microsoft took away.
Buckle up, as we dive into what makes this app worth every penny, why it exists, and how Microsoft's decision here fits into the broader trend of relying on third-party developers to plug inexplicable software holes.
What Exactly Is the Calendar Flyout (and Why Is Its Absence Such a Big Deal)?
Flashback to Windows 10 for a moment, a world where the "calendar flyout" was baked seamlessly into the Action Center. It wasn't just there to display today’s date—it actually functioned. Picture this: you glance at your Action Center, and boom, there’s your schedule for the day—events, reminders, and pretty much the kitchen sink of simplicity.But along came Windows 11, sleek and redesigned but forgetting how to calendar. The new flyout essentially regresses to the point of merely looking pretty (and hey, no shade to anyone with minimalist aesthetics). But beauty without brains? The flyout doesn’t show your events, nor does it allow you to quickly schedule new ones. For users managing their day with Outlook or other calendar services, the Calendar Flyout under Windows 11 feels like…a picture of a clock that’s stuck at noon. Looks nice, but utterly useless.
And you know what's even more frustrating? It was never a bug. This wasn't an oversight but a deliberate omission, leaving many scratching their heads. Why, Microsoft? Why fix functionality that wasn't broken to begin with?
Enter: Calendar Flyout, the $3.99 Savior
Cue the hero's theme music! For a mere price of $3.99, Calendar Flyout steps in to bridge the gap between nostalgia and productivity. This third-party application resurrects the fully functional calendar flyout interface from Windows 10, complete with the ability to:- View Events: No more opening your full-blown calendar app just to check whether you’re double-booked.
- Create Events: Quick schedules are back. Tap, create, done.
- Integrate Seamlessly: Like its predecessor, it keeps things simple and doesn’t overwhelm users with menus or clutter.
Why Did Microsoft Remove This Feature?
First, let’s cut Microsoft a little slack. When transitioning from Windows 10 to Windows 11, the operating system underwent some significant re-engineering. Many parts of the UI—like the Start menu and Action Center—were entirely rebuilt using new technologies. But in doing so, they decided to focus more on aesthetics and less on functionality.This idea, while well-intentioned, has its drawbacks. The Windows 11 calendar flyout, while undoubtedly sleek, alienates productivity-focused users who once relied on its Windows 10 equivalent. It's the digital equivalent of rebuilding your house and forgetting to install light switches.
And this isn’t the only example. Other “missing” features in Windows 11 include:
- Taskbar Limitations: You can’t move it to the top of your screen anymore.
- Right-Click Context Menus: More clicks are required to perform common tasks.
- Live Tiles: Gone entirely from the Start Menu. (Okay, some people didn't mind losing those.)
A Growing Reliance on Third-Party Apps: Why This Isn't Always Ideal
Calendar Flyout isn’t alone in its endeavor to “fix” Windows 11. Other notable examples include:- Stardock Start11: Lets users reposition the Start menu, restore classic layouts, and generally undo several Microsoft changes.
- ExplorerPatcher: Brings back the old taskbar and notification layouts.
- Other Calendar Alternatives: Smaller apps exist solely to fulfill what should be basic OS-level needs.
The trend nudges Windows further toward becoming a DIY operating system. It's as if Microsoft is saying, “Here’s the bare bones—customize the rest yourself.” While some advanced users love this modularity, others, particularly non-tech-savvy folks, might wonder why they suddenly need to juggle third-party apps for functionality once taken for granted.
Why Supporting Devs Like These Is Still Worth It
Let’s be honest: Should Microsoft users have to pay to restore lost features? No.But here’s the redeeming factor—they’re being developed by indie creators who often pour their heart and soul into these apps. Calendar Flyout’s $3.99 price essentially serves two purposes:
- Compensation: This app wasn’t built in a day. Something as polished as this takes time, effort, and constant debugging.
- Choice: By supporting small developers, you encourage richer ecosystems and alternatives, a particularly important counterbalance alongside big corporations.
Final Verdict: $3.99 Well Spent or Backbone Needed from Microsoft?
Calendar Flyout is one of those rare apps that both frustrates and delights. Frustrates because it’s a glaring reminder that Windows 11 compromised on functionality for style. Delights because it demonstrates the resilience of app developers.If you’re someone who misses the good ol’ calendar functionality of Windows 10 and would rather not juggle separate apps just to see what’s coming up, this app is absolutely worth it. It’s intuitive, seamless, and—more importantly—it reminds Microsoft that if they don’t prioritize user feedback, developers out there will.
Here’s to hoping Microsoft takes the hint. After all, an OS should work for us, not send us hunting through app stores to patch basic usability holes.
What’s your take? Would you pay $3.99 to bring this feature back, or do you think Microsoft should step up and integrate it back themselves? Let’s discuss in the forums!
Source: Windows Central This small part of Windows 11 I hate can be fixed with this tiny app
