Windows 11 Features We’re Still Waiting For in 2025
Windows remains the most widely used operating system, and it’s easy to see why. It offers a vast selection of apps, robust features, and an interface that’s user-friendly for most people. But let’s face it—Windows is far from perfect.
There are some glaring omissions in Windows 11, features that feel overdue and could greatly improve the overall experience. While some of these are missing from macOS as well, that doesn’t excuse their absence. Here are a few features that would make Windows 11 far better for its users.
A Convenient Volume Mixer
If you’ve ever dealt with multiple audio outputs like a laptop connected to external speakers or USB headphones, you know the struggle of managing them in Windows. Microsoft has made small improvements recently, like integrating a volume mixer into the Quick Actions panel, but it’s still clunky.
Adjusting app-specific audio settings or switching outputs feels unnecessarily complicated. Third-party apps like EarTrumpet make volume management a breeze, letting you seamlessly drag and drop audio from one device to another. Why hasn’t Microsoft implemented something like this? It’s a missed opportunity that would make a big difference.
Focus Profiles
Apple’s macOS has nailed Focus Profiles, allowing you to filter notifications based on what you’re doing. For instance, you can block work notifications from Slack when you’re off the clock or pause social media alerts during work hours.
Windows, however, hasn’t caught up. While it does offer a Do Not Disturb feature, it lacks the customization and flexibility of macOS. With work-life boundaries becoming increasingly important, this is an area where Microsoft needs to step up.
Brightness Controls for External Monitors
If you’re using an external monitor, adjusting brightness shouldn’t require fiddling with physical buttons or downloading a bloated manufacturer app. Yet, on Windows, this is still the norm.
Apps like Twinkle Tray simplify the process, but this is basic functionality that should be built into the OS. External monitors are not niche, and the lack of simple brightness controls is both frustrating and unnecessary.
Improved Bulk File Renaming
Yes, Windows allows you to rename multiple files at once, but the process is far from intuitive. Renaming applies a generic format with numbers in parentheses—a functional but clunky approach.
By comparison, macOS offers a dedicated dialog box with options to replace text, add prefixes, and more, making it much easier to batch rename files. Microsoft’s PowerRename tool in PowerToys offers similar functionality, but something like this should be integrated into Windows itself.
A Better Email Client
Microsoft’s decision to replace its native Outlook apps with a web-based version hasn’t been well-received. The web client feels like a downgrade, lacking the usability and features of the previous Mail app.
Windows 10’s Mail app, while not perfect, offered touch gestures and a streamlined interface. Microsoft should have built on that foundation instead of abandoning it. A native, fully-featured email client is sorely needed.
A Gaming-Friendly UI
The rise of gaming handhelds like the Steam Deck has exposed Windows’ weaknesses in this area. Despite being the default OS for gaming PCs, Windows isn’t designed for handheld devices, which rely on physical controls rather than a mouse and keyboard.
Manufacturers are now turning to alternatives like SteamOS to offer a better user experience. If Microsoft doesn’t adapt Windows for gaming handhelds soon, it risks losing a growing segment of the market.
More Flexible Start Menu
The Start menu in Windows 11 has been divisive from the start. While some improvements have been made, it still lacks flexibility. You can’t resize the menu or remove the Recommended section entirely, which many users find unnecessary.
Windows 10 offered more customization with features like live tiles and resizable menus. The static, limited Start menu in Windows 11 feels like a step backward.
Faster and More Reliable Search
Windows Search has long been a weak point. It’s often slow, inconsistent, and prone to launching the wrong results—sometimes leading to a frustrating web search in Edge using Bing.
In contrast, macOS’s Spotlight is fast, efficient, and respects your default browser and search engine. Third-party tools like Flow Launcher can enhance search on Windows, but a solid, built-in solution shouldn’t require extra software.
Windows Needs to Catch Up
As someone who grew up using Windows but recently switched to macOS, it’s clear where Windows falls short. The features mentioned above wouldn’t fix all of Windows’ problems, but they’d go a long way in improving the experience.
If Microsoft wants to keep users from jumping ship, it needs to address these gaps and listen to its community. There’s still time to make Windows the OS it deserves to be. Let’s hope Microsoft takes action.
