PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteiTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Four familiar Windows features are remembered for jobs Windows 11 does not match in quite the same way: Windows Easy Transfer, Windows Media Center, taskbar toolbars and Steps Recorder. The important distinction is not that Windows 11 has no backup or support tools. It is that some older workflows—especially moving files without relying on a cloud account, browsing folders from the taskbar and recording a sequence of troubleshooting steps—are not directly reproduced by the current built-in options described here.
How these older tools differ from Windows 11
The four examples come from a retrospective article about useful Windows features that it says have no direct Windows 11 counterpart. Microsoft documentation substantiates the current Windows Backup workflow, but the article’s claims about the present availability of Media Center, taskbar toolbars and Steps Recorder are not independently settled by the Microsoft pages cited here. Treat those as historical context and the article’s assessment, rather than a definitive inventory of every Windows 11 version or configuration.
Windows Easy Transfer moved files and settings between PCs
Windows Easy Transfer was presented as a single migration utility for moving files and settings—including accounts and personal media—from an older PC to a new one. The article describes transfers using removable media such as a USB flash drive or external hard drive, CDs or DVDs, a local network, or a specialized transfer cable. That describes the utility’s available approaches; it is not a guarantee that every transfer completed flawlessly.
What Windows Backup does instead
Windows 11 does have a documented backup and restoration workflow, but it is different. Microsoft says Windows Backup stores backup information with a personal Microsoft account. Selected Desktop, Documents, Pictures, Videos and Music folders sync to OneDrive; settings and preferences can also be backed up, and setup on a new PC can offer restoration of supported items. Microsoft describes the app as focused on consumer devices using personal Microsoft accounts; work and school accounts do not work with this consumer app. Microsoft’s Windows Backup guide explains the workflow.
#1 Best Overall
- 1.1 GHz (boost up to 2.4GHz) Intel Celeron N5030 Quad-Core
| Question | Windows Easy Transfer, as described in the article | Windows Backup, according to Microsoft |
|---|---|---|
| How does it move or store data? | Removable media, local network or specialized transfer cable. | Backup information is associated with a personal Microsoft account; selected folders sync to OneDrive. |
| What can be included? | Files and settings, including accounts and personal media, according to the article. | Selected supported folders, settings and preferences; new-PC setup can offer restoration of supported items. |
| Who is the documented workflow for? | Framed as a consumer PC migration tool by the article. | Consumer devices using personal Microsoft accounts; work and school accounts are not supported in this app. |
The practical difference is workflow and scope, not the presence or absence of backup altogether. The documented Windows Backup approach is account- and OneDrive-based, unlike Easy Transfer’s described removable-media, network and cable choices.
Windows Media Center brought TV and media into a living-room interface
Windows Media Center offered a PC interface designed around movies, television and music. The article also describes using a TV tuner card to record television programs. It says Media Center did not carry forward to Windows 10 or Windows 11. The Microsoft sources cited for this article do not independently confirm that product-status claim, so it is best read as the article’s account rather than an official Microsoft statement.
Rank #2
- 256 GB SSD of storage.
- Multitasking is easy with 16GB of RAM
- Equipped with a blazing fast Core i5 2.00 GHz processor.
Taskbar toolbars let users browse folders without opening File Explorer
In the historical feature described by the article, a user could pin a folder to the taskbar and browse its contents there. A Desktop toolbar could expose shortcuts, while user folders or Control Panel modules could be made quickly accessible. The article says Windows 11 omits this capability, but the cited official documentation does not establish its exact availability across Windows 11 versions and configurations.
Recommended Free Tools
Steps Recorder captured a sequence for troubleshooting
Steps Recorder, also called Problem Steps Recorder, captured screenshots as a user worked and let the user add explanatory comments. The resulting record could be saved and shared with a support agent or another person, making it useful for showing how to reproduce a problem rather than trying to describe every click from memory.
Rank #3
- 14" diagonal, 1366x768 resolution, HD BrightView LED, Glossy NON-TOUCH Display
The article reports that the tool initially remained available during the transition from Windows 10 to Windows 11, but later disappeared from the author’s Windows 11 PC. It also evaluates Snipping Tool and Clipchamp as alternatives that do not offer the same usability. Microsoft’s retrieved deprecated-features resource does not name Steps Recorder, so these sources establish neither a precise deprecation date nor universal removal across Windows 11 versions. Microsoft’s deprecated-features list is not evidence by itself that this specific tool was removed.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 【Efficient Performance】 Powered by Intel Core i3 processor (2 cores, 4 threads, up to 3.4GHz) with 12GB RAM and 256GB SSD. Handles multitasking, office software, online classes, and HD video streaming smoothly. Integrated Intel UHD Graphics 620
- Backlit Keyboard & Complete Package】Comes with a cool backlit keyboard. Comes with awebcam, dual stereo speakers (8Ω/1.0W each), DC charger, and user manual – ready for late-night studying, online classes, video conferencing, and daily productivity
- 【Vibrant Display】 15.6-inch Full HD (1920x1080) anti-glare screen with 16:9 aspect ratio delivers crisp images and vivid colors – perfect for studying, watching lectures, or entertainment. Thin-bezel design maximizes viewing area
- 【Fast Connectivity & Expansion】 Equipped with WiFi 6 (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.2 for stable, high-speed wireless. Features 3 x USB 3.0, HDMI 2.1, Type-C (supports PD3.0 fast charging), and a TF card slot expandable up to 2TB – easily connect external monitors, mice, drives, or expand storage for all your files
- 【Long Battery Life & Portable】 Built-in 11.55V 5000mAh/57.75Wh high-capacity battery delivers approximately 7 hours of mixed-use battery life – enough for a full day of classes and assignments. Lightweight at just 1.63kg (3.6 lbs) and 19.5mm thin, plus a compact packing size – easily slips into a backpack for campus, library, or coffee shop
Rank #4
- EFFORTLESS EVERYDAY PERFORMANCE: Powered by Intel Celeron N4020 processor and Windows 11 Home system, delivering reliable, low-power efficiency for daily tasks like document editing, email, online classes, and web browsing
- 15.6-INCH FULL HD DISPLAY: Enjoy immersive visuals on the 15.6" FHD (1920x1080) anti-glare screen with micro-edge bezels. Delivers clear details and comfortable viewing for long study sessions, working on spreadsheets, and video playback
- RESPONSIVE MULTITASKING & STORAGE: Built with 4GB LPDDR4 RAM and 128GB eMMC storage for smooth daily essential use. Expand your storage by up to 1TB via the integrated TF card slot to easily store movies, photos, and working files
- ADVANCED CONNECTIVITY: Outfitted with 2x Full-Featured Type-C ports for data transfer, fast charging, and dual-monitor output, alongside 2x USB 3.2 Gen1 ports and a 3.5mm audio jack for complete peripheral compatibility
- LIGHTWEIGHT & SILENT OPERATION: Slim and portable for effortless travel or commuting. Features a 1MP HD webcam for remote meetings, 38Wh battery with 45W Type-C fast charging, and a fanless silent design for peaceful work environments.
What to take away
- Easy Transfer’s distinguishing feature was a direct PC-to-PC migration workflow with removable-media, network and cable options; Windows Backup instead uses a personal-account and OneDrive workflow for the supported items Microsoft lists.
- Media Center and taskbar toolbars offered particular ways to use a Windows PC—as a living-room media hub and as a folder-browsing shortcut from the taskbar.
- Steps Recorder focused on capturing a reproducible sequence of actions with screenshots and comments. The article’s assessment is that current built-in alternatives do not feel equivalent, but the cited evidence does not establish a universal Windows 11 removal date or status.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
