Windows 10 'Annoyances'

[Michael]

Hello all,

 

I'm now running Windows 10 Pro RTM, fresh install and generally speaking so far so good. All drivers were installed, including common ones such as the Intel HD Graphics, as well as the USB 3.0 controller. I thought I'd start an 'Annoyances' thread more so to help others who may come across the same problems -

 

- By default, what appears to be a dodgy looking 'e' in the taskbar is Microsoft's new Edge browser. It's OK, but what's immediately missing is a Home button and the address bar, but there is the 'Where to next?' field on the start page, which may/may not confuse some users. The Home button can be enabled within Edge's Settings > View advanced settings.

 

- So where's Internet Explorer 11? I click Start > All Apps, look under 'I' and it's not there. Look under 'M' for 'Microsoft Internet Explorer' and it's not there either. It's actually under Windows Accessories > Internet Explorer. Not quite sure why Microsoft have hidden it there.

 

- OneDrive unfortunately is still the Outlook/Hotmail version of OneDrive. You're forced to install OneDrive for Business, but in saying that, it'll be bundled with Office 2016 no doubt when that's released in the autumn. Once OneDrive is installed, you're still left with a grey Outlook/Hotmail icon, as well as the blue OneDrive for Business icon. I can't see anyway as yet if the Outlook/Hotmail version can be turned off in Programs and Features.

 

- Windows Update is no more in the 'classic' Control Panel, but only available within Settings, either from the Start Menu > All Apps, or search for Windows Update.

 

- For those of you looking for the latest ADMX templates, simply look in C:\Windows\PolicyDefinitions (which is a hidden folder) and it's all there. In theory you should be able to copy/paste this into Windows Server, but please proceed with caution, as I haven't tried this myself!

 

- When right clicking the Start button, there's a standard Command Prompt and an Admin version (which is handy), but why haven't Microsoft added Powershell in there too? Would have been an obvious choice?

 

Hope this helps others, but please share problems and solutions you've come across

[nickbro]

For the last one, you can switch Command Prompt and Powershell in the Taskbar/Startmenu Settings (right click propertieis), under navigation (been there since 8.1)

 

- - - Updated - - -

 

My annoyance is the fact that I can't seem to correctly activate my OS, on either my upgraded PC or my surface pro 3 (which was insider upgraded)

[Arthur]

So where's Internet Explorer 11? I click Start > All Apps, look under 'I' and it's not there. Look under 'M' for 'Microsoft Internet Explorer' and it's not there either. It's actually under Windows Accessories > Internet Explorer. Not quite sure why Microsoft have hidden it there.

Windows Key > type Int > press Enter. Much much faster!

 

I managed to open IE in about a second doing it this way.

 

When right clicking the Start button, there's a standard Command Prompt and an Admin version (which is handy), but why haven't Microsoft added Powershell in there too? Would have been an obvious choice?

They have. You just need to tick a box to change it to PowerShell.

 

http://i.imgur.com/SE7JcFz.png

[Michael]

For the last one, you can switch Command Prompt and Powershell in the Taskbar/Startmenu Settings (right click propertieis), under navigation (been there since 8.1)

 

- - - Updated - - -

 

My annoyance is the fact that I can't seem to correctly activate my OS, on either my upgraded PC or my surface pro 3 (which was insider upgraded)

 

That's cool, thanks for that. It's still not quite what I'd like though. A Command Prompt (Admin) and Powershell (Admin) at the same time would be perfect.

 

- Other issues I've found is that Edge appears to be the default browser, but this can easily be resolved using a Group Policy or manually through Internet Options. Also Edge doesn't work with ftp sites (it appears). It didn't work with Adobe's, but IE11 works fine as expected.

 

- I haven't looked at Activations yet, but will try in the near future. It could well be Microsoft still bringing things together

[mrbios]

People actually use the home button in their browsers? I don't think i've ever used or seen someone use it since the IE6 days and IE11 is hidden for good reason! It needs to and will die off

 

My only annoyance so far is that i don't like the Alphabet letters appearing in the start menu. I'd prefer a simple list without the huge letters dividing everything up, by all means stick to alphabetical order, but as soon as you get a lot of things in the start menu it's going to be frustrating scrolling through that list with so much junk in it.

[Michael]

Windows Key > type Int > press Enter. Much much faster!

 

I managed to open IE in about a second doing it this way.

 

I agree, but I am very much testing things from an end user perspective and for compatibility, IE11 seems the obvious choice in the short term.

[flyinghaggis]

The lack of functionality/features in the Edge browser is really disappointing. I know it's new but I can't believe MS released it in basically alpha form for the official Windows 10 launch. You can't even click on a bookmarked folder and open a bunch of tabs in it as far as I can see which is a feature I use all the time for reading through my favourite news sites? There are so basic many options like right-clicking on things you simply take for granted in IE/Chrome or any modern desktop browser that it really grates when you find they haven't been implemented! Edited July 29, 2015 by flyinghaggis

[Arthur]

please share problems and solutions you've come across

To make File Explorer open to This PC instead of Quick Access, go to Folder Options (View tab on the File Explorer ribbon > Options button) and select This PC.

 

http://i.imgur.com/EgNm27y.png

[Michael]

People actually use the home button in their browsers? I don't think i've ever used or seen someone use it since the IE6 days and IE11 is hidden for good reason! It needs to and will die off

 

My only annoyance so far is that i don't like the Alphabet letters appearing in the start menu. I'd prefer a simple list without the huge letters dividing everything up, by all means stick to alphabetical order, but as soon as you get a lot of things in the start menu it's going to be frustrating scrolling through that list with so much junk in it.

 

Indeed end users do still use the Home button and it's still there by default in IE11 on Windows 10.

 

I agree about the layout of the Start Menu, but I guess it's better that all Apps follow the same organisation rule. Applications not in folders appeared at the top of the Start Menu in Windows 7 for example, then folders underneath. I can see Microsoft's logic doing it this way.

[Arthur]

I agree, but I am very much testing things from an end user perspective and for compatibility, IE11 seems the obvious choice in the short term.

If you try to visit a website in Edge that works better in IE11, Edge will display the following prompt.

 

http://i.imgur.com/8Ok90Yo.png

 

You're also meant to be able to control which websites Edge opens in IE via Group Policy so users could still have Edge as their default browser.

 

Edge uses a compatibility list that's periodically fetched from the 'net, and it'll prompt you to open sites from the list in Internet Explorer. I've only hit this once so far, and as luck would have it, it was Microsoft's own Update Catalog that triggered it. Enterprises will have more control and, for example, will be able to redirect their intranet sites to Internet Explorer if necessary. (Source)

[Michael]

To make File Explorer open to This PC instead of Quick Access, go to Folder Options (View tab on the File Explorer ribbon > Options button) and select This PC.

 

http://i.imgur.com/EgNm27y.png

 

Lets hope this is tweakable via Group Policy as an option. If not you can simply drag 'This PC' to the desktop or taskbar and use Folder Redirection.

[Michael]

If you try to visit a website in Edge that works better in IE11, Edge will display the following prompt.

 

http://i.imgur.com/8Ok90Yo.png

 

You're also meant to be able to control which websites Edge opens in IE via Group Policy so users could still have Edge as their default browser.

 

That's good to know. Will definitely look out for this option as there will be plenty of Edu sites that probably won't work!

[synaesthesia]

Biggest annoyance for me is the lack of local Family Safety options, forcing me to use 3rd party tools.

[Kenny_G]

Is there a way to get search on the start menu instead of the task bar?

[Michael]

Here's how to remove/hide OneDrive in Windows 10. This also removes it from Explorer -

 

Locally, right click Start > Run, type gpedit.msc, then navigate to Computer Config > Admin Templates > Windows Components > OneDrive - Prevent the usage of OneDrive for file storage - Enabled

 

Right click Start > Run and enter gpupdate /force

 

Open Explorer and OneDrive should be no more!

[nickbro]

Biggest annoyance for me is the lack of local Family Safety options, forcing me to use 3rd party tools.

 

It's still there from what I can see, it's add a family member, then choose child

[LeMarchand]

People actually use the home button in their browsers? I don't think i've ever used or seen someone use it since the IE6 days and IE11 is hidden for good reason! It needs to and will die off

 

I use the home button! Quick way to go back to my main tab/s if I've inadvertently clicked away.

 

Is anyone having problems with Edge? I kept seeing it hog the CPU when I had just left it open on the Bing page.

[Arthur]

It's still there from what I can see, it's add a family member, then choose child

Microsoft Family requires a Microsoft account doesn't it?

 

Family Safety updated and renamed Microsoft Family ready for Windows 10

[Michael]

I've come across an article on how to activate Windows 10 Pro (which worked for me), despite the fact I have a legitimate MAK.

 

It appears it may have something to do with Microsoft's activation servers, but should be resolved from the 1st August.

Edited July 30, 2015 by Michael

[nickbro]

Seems to be a load issue, as my Win 10 Pro activated last night (around midnight)

[synaesthesia]

It's still there from what I can see, it's add a family member, then choose child

 

That's online based, so all the family settings are only controllable online and with the users set up with a password. Unless I'm missing something

[Arthur]

I've come across an article on how to activate Windows 10 Pro (which worked for me)

It's probably not a good idea to recommend activating Windows using a (non-legit) public KMS server.

[ass17]

I use the home button! Quick way to go back to my main tab/s if I've inadvertently clicked away.

 

Is anyone having problems with Edge? I kept seeing it hog the CPU when I had just left it open on the Bing page.

 

The home button is in Edge, you just have to turn it on I the ... Button --> settings --> advanced settings

 

Edited July 30, 2015 by ass17

[LeMarchand]

The home button is in Edge, you just have to turn it on I the ... Button --> settings --> advanced settings

 

Thanks, I'd already done that. I was just pointing out that some of use find the button useful. Unfortunately I've had to stop leaving the Edge window open due to its high CPU use?

[ass17]

By default, what appears to be a dodgy looking 'e' in the taskbar is Microsoft's new Edge browser. It's OK, but what's immediately missing is a Home button and the address bar, but there is the 'Where to next?' field on the start page, which may/may not confuse some users. The Home button can be enabled within Edge's Settings > View advanced settings.

 

The address bar is still there you just have to click on the grey bar where it normally would be and it appears