Windows 11 raises eyebrows by offering fewer options than Windows 10.

According to Windows Latest, the Windows 11 taskbar will lose key features over Windows 10. This includes changes to menu options, calendar, and clock.

One feature that will be lost is the integration of events and agendas from the calendar flyout. This is located on the right side of the taskbar, which is part of the Windows 10 Calendar app. Now events can be added and synced to devices connected to the same Microsoft/Outlook/Exchange account.

Feedback Hub users testing Windows 11 assumed this was a bug.

However, this is a deliberate design choice to promote the new widget features. These widgets include Calendar, Weather, Esports, Photos, Traffic, and To Do lists. Microsoft is aiming for a minimalist design, and these changes are consistent with the "calm, centered" look in the new operating system, as our Computing Editor Alex Wawro writes. However, in the current test version, the removal of features is frustrating users.

This is in addition to other missing features previously reported. This includes the lack of a context menu, currently accessible by right-clicking on the toolbar. This allows quick access to make changes to the toolbar, such as positioning, resizing, locking, and adding widgets such as Cortana, News and Interests, etc. Right-clicking is also another way to access the Task Manager.

Apps and files can no longer be dragged directly to the taskbar or ungrouped. Additionally, the registry hack of the taskbar clock to include seconds will be disabled in Windows 11. Microsoft has stated that it will not be included in the new operating system.

Most of these changes affect the deep customization that users have become accustomed to since Windows 10 was introduced in 2015. One positive update is the ability to use Windows 11 on both Intel and M1-spec Macs through the use of a third-party application called Parallels. There may be time to add new features to the taskbar and include support for Android apps. However, the build is almost complete and Microsoft Windows will be available in late October.