Too many clicks to launch Microsoft VPN under Windows 11

A few years ago, I created a custom Windows VPN client install using the Connection Manager Administration Kit. This generates an installable copy (*.exe) of our VPN configuration which I deploy to our PC's when they are built. Running the installation creates the VPN profile in Windows and offers the option to create a desktop shortcut with a custom icon. I'm not sure if CMAK is relevant to my question, but just offering it as it may be related.

Under Windows 10, to launch the VPN client you can either use the desktop shortcut, which launches the VPN login screen directly, or click the wireless icon in the system tray and select VPN which appears above listed WiFi connections. Clicking VPN here launches the normal VPN login screen. Under Windows 10 getting to the VPN login took at most 2 clicks. I have two issues under Windows 11:

1. Since upgrading to Windows 11, the desktop shortcut no longer works. Instead of launching the VPN client, WiFi settings slide up from the system tray, then disappear after a few seconds.
2. Using the second method described above works, but it now takes 5 clicks just to get to the VPN login screen. Under Win11, you click the wireless icon in the system tray (1), Select VPN from the top of the list (2), select the VPN connection (3), click Connect (4) which takes you to the Windows Settings / Network & Internet > VPN screen, click connect (5) which launches the normal VPN login screen. Entering my credentials and clicking connect logs me in as it did before.