I'm building a PC with my cousin using a Ryzen 7 1700, 32 GB of RAM, a 500 GB SSD, and a GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB in a Corsair 220T case. I'll use it for gaming, schoolwork, music production, and photo editing. I've always preferred Windows 10, especially its file management, Start menu, and overall stability, but I also like some of Windows 11's newer features. I really dislike its built-in AI features and some of the redesigned interface.
I've heard that newer Windows 11 releases may perform better for gaming, but my processor isn't officially supported. I could use Rufus to bypass the hardware checks, though I'm unsure about the long-term update situation. I was also told to use a debloated Windows installer, but I'm not sure whether that's safe.
Would Windows 11 be the better choice now, and how can I make it feel more like Windows 10? Is Windows 11 genuinely problematic, or is it mostly overhated?
4 Answers
Windows 10 is approaching the end of its normal support life, so Windows 11 is the more future-proof choice if you want to stay with Windows. You can make Windows 11 feel more familiar by restoring the classic context menu, moving the taskbar and Start button, and using customization tools for the Start menu and Explorer. The two versions are fairly similar once you get past the redesigned right-click menu and Start screen.
Windows 11 isn’t perfect, but most people adjust to the interface after a few days. Windows 10 may feel more comfortable and could still receive limited extended security support for a while, but it’s not a great long-term starting point for a new build. If you strongly prefer Windows 10, it will function on this hardware, but Windows 11 is probably the better option if you’re willing to accept the unsupported CPU and customize the interface.
The main Windows 10 features I’d miss are the Start menu tile groups and the older context menu. I don’t mind the rest of the Windows 11 layout as much.
Your Ryzen 7 1700 isn’t officially supported by Windows 11, although tools such as Rufus can bypass the CPU and TPM checks during installation. That may work, but unsupported systems can have a less predictable update path, especially when major releases arrive. If you install 11 this way, be prepared to update manually if Windows Update stops offering future feature releases.
I’d avoid pre-debloated Windows images unless you know exactly what was removed or changed. They can disable services, break updates, or create problems with gaming, audio production, and creative software. A safer approach is to install an official image, remove unwanted apps yourself, and disable features you don’t use.
The classic right-click menu and the old grouped Start menu are the parts I miss most, so I’ll look into restoring those before deciding.