Windows 11 vs. macOS: Addressing Common User Experience Shortcomings

Both macOS and Windows 11 have won legions of fans over the years, but even these tech titans aren’t immune to design missteps. When you scrutinize their core functionalities, certain quirks emerge that can disrupt even a seasoned power user’s workflow. In this article, we take a deep dive into four shared shortcomings between these operating systems—and how they might be remedied to better serve both casual users and experts alike.

1. File System GUI Limitations​

One of the most fundamental aspects of using your computer is navigating your files. Yet both macOS and Windows 11 reveal notable shortcomings in this arena.

A Tale of Two Navigators​

• Windows File Explorer:
  Windows’ built-in file explorer has its virtues, such as familiarity and simplicity. However, it falls short when it comes to modern conveniences. Lacking in color tagging, it fails to offer a visual system that can help users quickly distinguish between important file types or categories. Furthermore, the absence of “Quick Look” style previews makes it harder to quickly glance at file contents before opening them, and there is no built-in dual-pane navigation. This dual-pane view isn’t just a luxury—it’s a critical tool for power users who frequently move files between directories.
• macOS Finder:
  Apple’s Finder, on the contrary, incorporates some modern touches like Quick Look and color tagging. Yet, it too misses a trick: dual-pane navigation. For users accustomed to splitting their work between two directories seamlessly, this omission is a missed opportunity. While Finder’s search capability performs adequately in many instances, its lack of a true two-pane experience limits efficiency, particularly for advanced file management tasks.

Potential Improvements​

• For Windows 11:
  Imagine a future update that introduces native support for dual-pane file navigation and incorporates robust color tagging mechanisms. Even a “Quick Look” feature—a peek functionality to preview documents without a full double-click—would elevate the user experience. Enhanced search functionality, refining how File Explorer indexes and returns results, could further streamline workflows that presently feel sluggish and unintuitive.
• For macOS:
  A dual-pane option in Finder isn’t an overly radical idea for Apple to implement. Coupling this with improvements in other search functionalities could elevate Finder from simply "good enough" to a truly competitive file management system. After all, even a system acclaimed for its intuitive design can learn from the competition.

Summary: Both operating systems need a file management reboot. Enhancing the graphical user interface (GUI) by integrating features such as dual-pane navigation, color tagging, and improved preview functionalities stands to benefit power users and novices alike.

2. Settings Menus Mayhem​

Changing system configurations should be a straightforward affair, but here again, neither Windows nor macOS get it entirely right.

The Windows Dilemma​

Windows 11 is in the midst of a tumultuous transition from the age-old Control Panel to the modern Settings app. This duality creates confusion:

• Fragmented Control: Some settings linger in the familiar Control Panel, while others have migrated to the new Settings interface. Power users who enjoy the depth of the Control Panel are left searching through multiple interfaces.
• Navigation Woes: Even though the new Settings app boasts a more modern look, it suffers from a subpar search mechanism and isn’t as intuitive to navigate—an ironic twist given that much of the operating system’s design is premised on easing user access.

macOS Conundrum​

macOS, known for its streamlined design aesthetic, isn’t entirely immune to complaints either:

• Submenus Overload: While the System Settings (formerly System Preferences) in macOS presents a clean layout, the nested submenus and dropdowns can quickly overwhelm new users. The consolidation of settings into a single, fluid interface sometimes sacrifices depth for simplicity.
• Search Shortfalls: Paradoxically, the search functionality in macOS’s updated settings is far less potent than anticipated. Users expecting a comprehensive search that includes all installed application notifications or specific settings can be left searching literally and figuratively.

Fixing the Settings Puzzle​

• Unified Interface: Both platforms could benefit from a consolidated settings framework. A single, unified settings interface that doesn’t require users to jump between different applications (Control Panel vs. Settings on Windows) would be a step forward.
• Enhanced Search: A revamp of the search tool within these settings menus should be a priority. Smart filtering and predictive search that covers both major and nuanced settings would dramatically improve usability.
• User-Centric Organization: Instead of a one-size-fits-all design, both operating systems should consider user-adaptive layouts that can simplify interfaces for novices while offering expanded options for power users.

Summary: The settings menus on both Windows and macOS can be confusing and inconsistent. A transformative approach to unify these interfaces while improving search and usability is essential for a more fluid user experience.

3. Software Update Woes​

Keeping your system secure and up-to-date is crucial. Yet the approach taken by each operating system leads to frustration and, at times, unintended consequences.

Windows Update Intricacies​

• Forced Updates: Microsoft’s insistence on pushing updates—albeit for security reasons—can feel overbearing. Power users appreciate the enhanced security, but when Windows 11 insists on updates that disrupt workflow, it often feels like an infringement on user control. Even though Windows offers a way to postpone updates, it is limited to a predetermined time frame.
• Bugs and Breakages: With every update comes the risk of bugs that potentially cripple core functionalities, leaving users grappling with work interruptions.

macOS Update Lulls​

• Lax Notification: On the flip side, macOS tends to adopt a laid-back approach with software updates. Users might find updates languishing in the queue, sometimes for weeks, which can create security vulnerabilities.
• Manual vs. Scheduled Updates: Apple’s “Tonight” option for automatic updates may not always deliver as expected. Users have reported scenarios where scheduled updates simply fail to install, requiring manual intervention—defeating the purpose of having an auto-update system.

A Balanced Approach to Updates​

• Greater Customization: Both operating systems could adapt a more user-centric model, allowing users to schedule updates at times that minimize disruption. For Windows, offering an extended deferment option without compromising security is a pressing need.
• A Gentle Nudge: macOS could adopt a more proactive notification system that not only alerts users of pending updates but also verifies that updates are indeed installed timely—even when set to automatic mode.
• Streamlined Rollouts: Implementing a phased rollout based on user control could significantly reduce the incidence of buggy updates, ensuring that only well-tested patches are deployed universally.

Summary: The dichotomy in update strategies between Windows and macOS—overzealous pushing versus overly lax notifications—illustrates a gap in optimizing the update process. A balance must be struck between user control and system security.

4. Account Management Quandaries​

The debate over account management continues, underscored by a trend toward heavier integration with online services. But this move has its pitfalls.

Windows and Its Microsoft Account​

• Forced Sign-Ins: New installations of Windows 11 now require a Microsoft account during setup. For many users who prefer a straightforward local account, this can feel like an unnecessary imposition.
• Complexity for Casual Users: Unless you’re comfortable with command prompts or seeking workarounds, the system nudges you firmly toward full integration with Microsoft’s cloud services. This can be particularly off-putting for those who value privacy or simply want to get started quickly without extra steps.

macOS and the Apple ID​

• Optional Yet Necessary: macOS allows users to initially skip creating an Apple ID. However, many core functionalities—such as access to the App Store or continuity features across devices—will eventually require signing in, which may feel like a trap for the less tech-savvy.
• User Device Management: One redeeming quality, though, is that macOS offers a relatively user-friendly approach to managing and de-registering devices linked to your account. This is a refreshing contrast to the more cumbersome process on Windows.

Possible Enhancements​

• Local Account Freedom: A clear path to using local accounts without hindrance should be available on both platforms. For Windows, preserving and supporting the workaround for local accounts is essential to give users a genuine choice.
• Streamlined Online Integration: Instead of forcing an account upon first boot, offering the ability to defer or choose selective integrations based on the user’s needs could be beneficial.
• Transparency and Control: Both operating systems should aim for clarity when it comes to how your account data is used, making it easier to manage privacy settings and linked devices.

Summary: Account management in both Windows and macOS currently walks a fine line between enhancing connectivity and imposing unwanted integrations. A shift toward more flexible account management policies would empower users to take control of their computing experience without unnecessary friction.

Conclusion: Bridging the Gaps Between Innovation and Usability​

In an era where operating systems are expected to cater to a wide spectrum of users—from casual browsers to professional power users—the shortcomings in file management, settings navigation, software update processes, and account management are not mere annoyances; they are areas ripe for innovation. While both Windows 11 and macOS have made significant strides in creating intuitive, modern interfaces, the persistent issues suggest that a one-size-fits-all approach may be falling short.
The key is balance. For instance:

• Enhancing file management with features like dual-pane navigation and improved tagging can bridge functionality gaps.
• Streamlining settings menus into more coherent, easily searchable interfaces can significantly uplift the overall user experience.
• Offering flexible yet secure update options can protect users without compromising on workflow efficiency.
• Allowing true user choice in account management by supporting local accounts robustly can restore a sense of privacy and autonomy.

These improvements aren’t just tweaks—they represent fundamental shifts in how we interact with our devices. The future of operating systems may very well hinge on this kind of user-focused evolution, driving a convergence of innovation and seamless usability.
For Windows enthusiasts, these challenges underscore the need for a more adaptive and customizable ecosystem. The same applies to macOS users, who yearn for a system that marries simplicity with powerful functionality. It’s an exciting prospect for the next wave of software updates on both platforms.
In the end, while rivalry between Microsoft and Apple continues, their shared challenges offer a roadmap for the future—a future where both operating systems might one day learn to do everything well, leaving users with nothing less than the best of modern computing.

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Source: XDA Developers 4 things that neither Windows nor macOS do well (and how they could fix them)