6 Windows 11 settings you can finally change after years of complaints

Published Oct 18, 2026, 12:00 PM EDT Steve has been editing and writing content for almost two decades, including product reviews, tech news, how-to guides, and even lifestyle and health topics. He’s served as chief editor for publications like Tech Junkie and Alphr, and has written and edited content for many other tech-related sites. His expertise in Windows, Android, iOS, Mac, and Linux simplifies the gadget and computer world for others, enabling them to shop, connect, learn, tweak, and optimize devices and software to suit their needs. When he’s not writing or editing content, he enjoys repairing and optimizing devices (and game consoles), watching movies, golfing, and spending time with the family. While Microsoft spent years focusing on performance and reliability in Windows 10 and 11, many users wanted features and customizations they didn’t get. Updates rarely included user requests and feedback unless they involved issues that required attention, like non-functioning devices, BSODs, memory leaks, unresponsive apps, security loopholes, and other frustrating problems. Some major release updates included improvements here and there, or new features like Cortana or Start Menu changes, but Microsoft often built them the way it wanted. Recently, Microsoft has focused more on user feedback (a.k.a., complaints) to add new customizable features and options to Windows 11. When you're not making Windows faster, you're probably customizing it to suit your needs, and both can help reduce frustration. Still, the company has started listening to what people want in Windows 11, and what they miss from previous versions like Windows 10. This year, Sept. and Oct. have provided more Windows 11 personalization options than ever before, at least it seems that way. With that in mind, here are six of the most recent, frustrating settings you can customize. Copilot key is now configurable Give the right Ctrl key back to your laptop or other device The Copilot key felt like a forced feature that consumers had no choice but to deal with, considering many laptops and keyboards started to include it as a replacement for the Right Ctrl key. On some keyboards, it replaced the Context Menu key based on the design’s layout. Many people complained about the change, so Microsoft listened and added an option to configure the Copilot key, letting users reclaim Right Ctrl or Context Menu functionality. You may already have part of this feature, but this week’s Patch Tuesday ensures you have all the options. Even though you can reconfigure the Copilot key as the Right Ctrl key, it does not work for hotkey combinations that start with RCtrl + Win or RCtrl + Shift, such as RCtrl + Win + R. Microsoft says to use the Left Ctrl key for that specific purpose. As a bonus, the Copilot key doesn’t have to become the Right Ctrl key, but that’s what many Windows users want. Microsoft took it a step further, letting you choose between Copilot, Right Ctrl, Search, and opening an app. Older build versions may require the October 2026 Security Update to obtain the extra options besides RCtrl. No more two-finger movements required One touch-screen feature that frustrates people is having to use two fingers to scroll, but now you can use one and choose whether to scroll with your right or left finger. This feature was officially added to this week’s Patch Tuesday release for PCs and laptops on 24H2, 25H2, and 26H2. To access the scroll options, go to Settings -> Bluetooth & devices -> Touchpad. From there, select Scroll and zoom, then click on Single-finger scrolling and choose Disabled, Left side, or Right side. Exit the Settings menu, and it should work. The Oct 13 Patch Tuesday release is the last one for Windows 11 24H2 versions. Support has officially ended, and you’ll need to upgrade to 25H2 or 26H2 to continue receiving new features and updates. Taskbar customization and placement options at last Finally, you can move your taskbar, separate all grouped windows, and more While Windows 10 let you move the taskbar to the left, right, top, or bottom, Windows 11 didn't. Finally, after many complaints and user requests, Microsoft added this feature, along with other taskbar options, in the September 2026 Windows 11 26H2 update. You may have already received parts of the feature from preview builds or specific releases, but 26H2 ensures you get all aggregated updates. If you don’t see it, your PC may have compatibility or functional restrictions, or you just haven’t got the feature yet, as Microsoft says it can take weeks or even months. You can always download the Feature Update from their website if desired, but that sometimes creates issues with compatibility and device firmware. While there are plenty of hidden customization settings in Windows 11, another feature that raised eyebrows is the lack of Taskbar controls. I generally don’t need this option, but many embrace it since the Sept. 26H2 Windows update made it available. You can now separate all active windows in the Taskbar instead of grouping them under each icon. You can also shrink the size using the “Small” option. This feature is great if you have a ton of windows open and the Taskbar fills up. Declutter your Start Menu, shrink it, and hide your name and profile image Many people complain that the Start Menu can't be resized and that you can't control what appears. The September 2026 Windows 11 26H2 update also brought KB5120998 for 24H2 and 25H2, plus KB5124008 for 23H2. This update gives you more options to customize your Start Menu. Shrinking the Taskbar is similar to the lost feature from Windows 10, except it only shrinks the height, but you can also change what you see when you open it, which is a pretty cool feature. Also, you can easily remove the “Recent” section entirely or handpick what you don’t want to appear in that section. I like how I can also remove suggested files, tips, and app recommendations. If you want, you can even remove the complete app list. For those using their laptop in public spaces, or on a PC hosting a meeting, attending a conference, or any other situation where your screen is shared, you can choose to hide your name and profile icon from the Start Menu. Clean up your Windows 11 Search Bar Say bye to web results, unless you want them, and more One major complaint Windows 10 and 11 users have is the Windows Search Bar displaying way too many unnecessary results, including web searches. Microsoft heard the feedback and made it easier to manage and use. The Sept. 26H2 Windows Update lets you turn off web search and focus more on internal functionality. If you navigate to Settings -> Privacy and security -> Search, you’ll find the customizations there. You can also exclude specific folders. The latest Patch Tuesday update has also added inline actions, built on WinUI 3. If you don't have this feature yet, you probably will soon. This feature lets you type specific instructions, and the results show an actionable option at the top. If I type set to dark mode, I get a clickable button without having to click a Settings link and navigate through that. Other examples include typing show desktop, mute vol, and turn off Bluetooth. Customize your Lock Screen More control and a cleaner interface The Windows lock screen was where Microsoft pushed almost everything, and it looked like a jumbled mess by default. It always appeared cluttered with weather info, sports, money, MSN cards, events, and more. You could go into Lock Screen settings and change what appeared, but the long list was frustrating for many users. The Lock Screen is part of Windows security settings. Although it's minor, it is one option you can customize to look tidy and clean while displaying handy widgets and images of your choosing. With the August 2026 preview update, Microsoft finally listened to consumer feedback and removed all widgets from the settings list and the actual screen, with only Weather as the default widget. It was officially released in the September 2026 patch update. You can still add widgets, but now you have complete control over what you want displayed and aren't forced to remove each one individually. To customize your lock screen, go to Settings -> Personalization -> Lock Screen. Once there, you’re good to go. All you do is click the Add widgets button and add your preferred items, or click the three-dot icon next to each one to remove or customize them. You can also turn off widgets completely if you want a clean and tidy lock screen. New, manageable features and options are a good start, but it needs to keep going It’s nice to finally be able to customize certain settings and features in Windows 11, but the ball needs to keep rolling if Microsoft wants to keep its user base. Complaints and frustration should never be ignored but actually utilized. A remappable Copilot key, Start Menu control, Taskbar customization, Lock Screen personalization, improved Search Bar options and features, and trackpad customization are just some of the things people want in Windows 11, but many more exist.