Windows 11 is all set to change how users interact with their computers with an all-new design, sound effects, and performance boost. Microsoft says that Windows 11 is “designed to bring you closer to the people and things you love.” Inspired by macOS and ChromeOS, the start menu, search icon, and other shortcuts to apps are now placed at the center of the taskbar and it will take some time to get used to the new interface offered by Windows 11.
The next generation of Windows is now finally official and users have been demanding it for a long time now as it’s been nearly six years since Windows 10 was released. Windows 11 comes with a fresh new modern and more cleaner interface, redesigned start menu, sound effects, new fonts and icons, and much more.
Price and availability –
Windows 11 comes as a free upgrade for users who are running a licensed copy of Windows 10 and not the pirated copy. A pirated copy of Windows 11 has already surfaced on the internet and available as a free download but we warn our readers not to download/install it as it may contain unwanted files/ viruses and make your privacy vulnerable.
Eligible Windows 10 PCs and laptops will get the free Windows 11 upgrade later this year so it’s recommended that you wait for the official upgrade. It will also come pre-installed on new PCs and laptops later this year and Microsoft is working closely with their retail partners to ensure most Windows 10 PCs that will be purchased before the rollout are ready for the upgrade to Windows 11.
If you are excited about the upgrade and want to test it out before everyone else then you have to sign-up for the Windows Insider Program to get an early build of Windows 11 which will be rolling out next week for testing purposes. For everyone else, all you can do right now is to check if your Windows 10 PC is eligible for the upgrade or not and wait for the official rollout. To check for eligibility, download Microsoft’s free PC Health Check app and run the test.
Those who are not running genuine Windows 10 on their PC or are running Windows 7 can purchase Windows 10 license from Microsoft’s store in order to receive the free upgrade. Don’t forget to check the minimum system requirements before making the purchase because your system’s hardware may be able to run Windows 10 but not Windows 11. Microsoft may put a deadline on the free upgrade offer anytime in the future but confirmed that it will run it for at least a year.
Minimum System Requirements –
Windows 11 is heavier than its predecessor Windows 10 as it requires a minimum of 1GHz 64-bit dual-core processor, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage. On the other hand, Windows 10 required 1GB of RAM and 16GB of storage. Microsoft has said that they have worked closely with their hardware and silicon partners including AMD, Intel, and Qualcomm for seamless integration of Windows 11 across hardware and software.
So, what’s new with Windows 11?
Windows 11 comes pre-loaded with fresh sound effects including the startup sound. The interface is completely revamped giving users a fresh, modern look and feel across various elements of the operating system. For starters, the Start Menu comes placed in the middle, menus and windows features modern design, new themes & wallpapers, new more powerful ways to multitask, redesigned Microsoft Store, improved dark mode, personalized feed with widgets, and much more. Talking about the modern design, menus and windows now have rounded corners and features a translucent (semi-transparent) design. Let’s dive deeper into what’s new.
Start Menu and the Taskbar –
Let’s start with the Start Menu which is now placed at the middle of the taskbar alongside shortcuts to other apps like File Explorer, Microsoft Edge, Microsoft Store, and more. There’s also an option to shift the Start Menu and the icons to the left like it always was by going through the settings but by default, it comes placed in the middle just like macOS. Live Tiles have been removed from the Start Menu so no more glanceable, dynamic content making it look clean. The layout is not resizable and named groups and folders of apps are no longer supported. Users will be able to personalize the Start Menu by pinning their favorite apps and they will also be able to browse other apps. For a personalized experience, Start Menu will recommend recently opened files no matter on which device or platform you viewed them on by utilizing the power cloud and Microsoft 365. A dedicated search button is also provided next to the Start Menu icon allowing users to search across apps and files.
Widgets are back –
Widgets are back with a dedicated feed window powered by AI and Microsoft Edge where you will be able to see all your glanceable, dynamic content such as weather forecast, news and information, calendar, to-do list, and other personalized content. The widgets can be rearranged and resized the way you prefer. The personalized feed with all the widgets can be accessed directly from the taskbar by clicking on the Widgets icon.
Multitasking with Snap Layouts, Snap Groups, and Desktops –
With Windows 11, Microsoft has introduced new features called Snap Layouts and Snap Groups to enhance users’ multitasking experience. Desktops feature is also there which allows users to create multiple desktops to separate their work and personal life. The new features allow you to organize your windows and optimize your screen real estate the way you want in a layout. All you have to do is hover the mouse over the maximize button to split active windows into the layout you prefer. Users can also save the layouts along with the apps they were working on and can access them directly from the taskbar anytime they want with Snap Groups. Snap Groups helps you locate saved layouts with apps you were working on.
Microsoft Teams integration –
Say goodbye to Skype as Windows 11 now comes integrated with Microsoft Teams and a dedicated chat app that can be accessed directly from the taskbar allowing you to instantly connect to friends and family through text, chat, voice, and video. However, you can still install Skype from the store. With Teams, you get universal mute and unmute buttons and also a Desktop Share feature allowing you to start presenting directly from the taskbar. And the best part is that you can still connect to a person who doesn’t have Teams installed via two-way SMS.
Windows 11 for Gamers –
With Windows 11, Microsoft has introduced features that will definitely cheer up PC gamers. It says that Windows 11 is the best ever for gaming with “superior graphics, amazing speed, and an incredible selection of games.” The operating system supports some of the latest gaming technology such as DirectX 12 Ultimate (enabling breathtaking, immersive graphics at high frame rates), DirectStorage (it allows games to load assets to the graphics card without slowing down the CPU offering faster load times and more detailed game worlds), and Auto HDR (for a wider, more vivid range of colors to enhance users’ gaming experience).
Windows 11 also comes integrated with xCloud (Xbox Cloud Gaming) to enable cloud gaming. It is also compatible with a wider range of hardware including PC gaming accessories and peripherals. With that said, users can connect Xbox Wireless Controllers, Xbox Adaptive Controllers, mechanical keyboards, gaming mice, surround-sound headsets, external GPUs, and more without worrying about compatibility. There’s also a dedicated Xbox app that comes pre-loaded and can be accessed right from the taskbar. The Xbox app lets users browse through various game titles and access the Xbox Game Pass for PC, a membership that gives you access to a library of over 100 high-quality PC games across genres. The Game Pass for PC also includes EA Play membership at no additional cost. To experience Xbox Cloud Gaming on your PC, you need to have an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription.
New Microsoft Store and the ability to run Android apps –
Microsoft has also redesigned and improved the Microsoft Store which it says is built to “meet the needs of customers and developers alike.” Developers will now find it easier to publish their apps on Microsoft Store and with improved search and new design, your apps will get a better reach. The Store comes with a revamped Movies & TV tab where users can find movies and TV shows across all major streaming services. Users will also be able to cast media content to their smart TV directly from the store. Microsoft has announced that Adobe Creative Cloud, Disney+, TikTok, Zoom, and some of the company’s own apps like Microsoft Teams, Visual Studio, Notepad, and Paint will be coming to the Microsoft Store on Windows.
The highlight feature of Windows 11 is the ability to run Android apps and the software giant has partnered with Amazon and Intel to add native support for Android apps. The apps can be downloaded from Amazon Appstore which comes integrated into the Microsoft Store and the installed apps can also be pinned to the taskbar for quick access. Microsoft’s partnership with Intel has enabled them to use Intel Bridge technology to add support for Android apps and this also works for both AMD and Arm-based systems.
For developers, the company has introduced a new economic approach allowing them to bring their own commerce into Microsoft Store and keep 100 percent of the revenue. Developers can still use Microsoft Commerce Platform with a revenue share of 85/15 for apps and 88/12 for games. Windows developers and independent software developers, from now on, will be able to publish any kind of app regardless of app framework and packaging technology such as Win32, .NET, UWP, Xamarin, Electron, React Native, Java, and even Progressive Web Apps.
The all-new Microsoft Store will also be released for Windows 10 soon.
Improved touch and multi-monitor experience –
Windows 11 improves the experience for those using multiple monitors which nowadays has become a norm for professional individuals in these work-from-home times. Microsoft has added new display controls to fix multi-monitor problems users face with Windows 10. Windows 11 can now remember window locations based on monitor connection and when you disconnect a monitor, it will automatically minimize all open windows to the tray. And don’t forget Snap Layouts which will make the multi-monitor experience even better.
Microsoft has also focussed on making Windows 11 touch-friendly for touch-based devices by adding support for a number of gestures and features such as haptic feedback for touch pens, more space between the icons in the taskbar, bigger touch targets, and more. It also makes resizing and moving windows across the screen easier. Users can use three-fingers or four-fingers gestures to swipe away apps or minimize them. Microsoft has also added animations to make the touch experience feel native to the OS.
There’s also a brand new touch keyboard that comes integrated with emoji and supports GIFs. Users can even personalize the keyboard by changing its theme. For Pen users, Windows Ink Workspace has also been redesigned with some added functionalities. Windows 11 comes with voice commands, enhances voice typing, and has the ability to automatically punctuate for you. It will come in handy when you want to take a break from typing.