Everything you need to know about Windows 11
However, during the epidemic, Microsoft's stance appeared to alter, leaving people all over the world depending on its software for anything from remote working to staying in touch with friends and family. The business felt it was time for a new beginning because some of these new trends seem to be here to stay.
With a focus on streamlining the user experience and minimizing clutter, Windows 11 represents a significant design shift. A lot of the design cues come from Windows 10X, the abandoned Windows 10 touchscreen-focused spin-off. Microsoft now seems dedicated to providing Windows 11 as a fantastic OS for a wide range of various devices and form factors.
Now, Windows 11 may be manually downloaded or installed via Settings on all compatible laptops and PCs.Aside from a Mac or Chromebook, almost every other 2022 laptop runs Windows 11, so there are already plenty of choices.
However, despite its straightforward appearance, Windows 11 contains a variety of distinct features, many of which need further investigation. With links to our in-depth coverage of Windows 11, this comprehensive guide seeks to address any questions you could have regarding the operating system.
How does Windows 11 operate?
Microsoft has preserved the same fundamental interface, but with a considerable overhaul, presumably to avoid offending millions by making drastic changes (as it finally did with Windows 8). Additionally, you'll notice rounded edges wherever you turn and a new, centrally located Start Menu, though you may choose to move the latter back if you'd like.
A new widgets panel, which seems to replace the previous Start Menu's live tiles and can display the weather, stocks, news, and other information, as well as enhanced grouping and snapping of active Windows, make it easier to concentrate on what you're trying to achieve.
With the addition of gestures and a new on-screen keyboard that is far more akin to the one on your phone, Windows 11 for tablets has significantly improved. The Google Play Store can be used as a workaround, but you can also download and utilize Android apps through the Amazon Appstore.
Despite the numerous cosmetic changes, most customers should find it simple to go from Windows 10 to Windows 11 in the future.
What year did Windows 11 debut?
- Initial availability: October 5, 2021
- All eligible Windows 10 PCs will shortly receive a free upgrade. Compatible devices can also be manually upgraded.
- Upgrades for eligible PCs are free.
- Pricing for new gear varies by vendor, and there are USB and download link versions available.
One of the key concerns was always going to cost, but the good news is that it is free for qualified PCs. This will go on indefinitely, maybe into the life of Windows 11.
It's not quite that straightforward, though, since as will be discussed below, Microsoft has altered the hardware specifications for its new operating system.
Naturally, getting Windows 11 isn't simply possible via upgrading from Windows 10. The operating system is already preinstalled on many new laptops and PCs, and many more are on the way. So far, it doesn't appear that the price has changed as a result of Windows 11 being pre-installed.
Nevertheless, Windows 11 is also available right now as a stand-alone operating system. The simplest way is through a download link, which will be emailed to you when you finish the transaction:
Windows 11 Home – $139/£119.99
Windows 11 Pro – $199.99/£219.99
It's important to emphasize that most consumers won't need this, especially while Windows 10's free upgrade is still available.
Wasn't Windows 10 the final iteration of the operating system?
Microsoft stated that when it unveiled Windows 10. Evidently, though, it had a change of heart. The business could have implemented these modifications via a Windows 10 update, but it opted not to do so during the launch event, maybe in the hopes that its consumers would forget.
It's interesting to note that Microsoft did bring up this topic at their April 2022 hybrid work event. The corporation added that "how, when, and where we operate essentially altered overnight" and cited the pandemic as the primary catalyst for this shift in approach.
But after using Windows 11 for a few months, it's obvious that very little has actually changed.
Will Windows 11 operate on my laptop or desktop computer?
The following is a list of Windows 11's minimal hardware requirements are:
- a dual-core 1GHz CPU with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage
- Secure Boot support for UEFI
- Platform Module for Trust (TPM) 2.0 graphics card with DirectX 12 compatibility and a screen with a resolution of at least 720p that is greater than 9 inches
- Internet access and a Microsoft account
Are you unsure whether your device is compatible? Microsoft has a free program called "PC Health Check" that can assist you in completing that task. From the main Windows 11 page's bottom, you may download it.
If data storage experts Trendfocus (via Tom's Hardware) are to be trusted, that storage demand may only be SSD-based starting in 2023. HDD or eMMC storage-based Windows 11 systems, however, shouldn't be impacted.
There is still a way to install Windows 11 on unsupported PCs, despite Microsoft's disapproval. Your device may not be compatible, and you may notice warnings in Settings and on your desktop informing you of this. Performance and app compatibility don't appear to be affected, either.
It doesn't make it any less dangerous that the business unintentionally made the 22H2 feature upgrade available to unsupported Windows 10 devices in June 2022. As previously, we only advise attempting this if you have a spare Windows 10 computer laying around; do not do so on your main computer.
Is Windows 11 been released?
On October 5, 2021, Windows 11 was formally released, as Microsoft had already announced one month before.
trailers for Windows 11
To get a better idea of what Windows 11 is all about, spend three minutes watching this official introductory video:
Which new features are included in Windows 11?
There are too many to list them all here, but these are the key ones you should be aware of.
A substantial cosmetic update comes first. Throughout its existence, Windows 10 has had a consistent appearance and feel, but Windows 11 is set to change that.
Icons are now in the center of the taskbar, however, this may be readily changed to a more conventional arrangement. Some of the features that Microsoft eliminated from the Windows 10 version cannot be altered, but Microsoft is working to make up for this. The time and date will be displayed on all external displays starting in February 2022, while drag-and-drop is anticipated to reappear in the 22H2 feature update.
Although its brand-new style is undoubtedly not for everyone, the new Start Menu doesn't necessarily lack anything. The look that Microsoft teased for the now-canceled Windows 10X is really identical to this one. Here is how it appears when dark mode is on:
It has a grid of editable "Pinned" icons and a separate "All applications" area for the rest of your installed software. You may immediately start up where you left off, even if you last used a different device, by using the 'Recommended' header below, which displays previously used files, programs, and folders, including those from cloud services like OneDrive and Microsoft 365.
However, a lot of individuals have been let down by this, particularly the inability to customize. Microsoft has subsequently provided the option to alter how the Pinned and Recommended areas are divided, though. Below are some official screenshots to give you an idea of how it appears:
The new multitasking option for Snap Layouts is one new feature that has been highly received. As you can see below, you may order the applications on the screen by hovering over the maximize button.
Recent iterations of Windows didn't have many widgets, but that has changed lately. The panel slides in from the left, but if you'd like, you may customize it to take up the entire screen. It is made to be quickly glanced at for crucial information without detracting from your current task.
The taskbar also has widgets for the weather and stocks, but these may now be used to launch notifications. The static symbols will soon be replaced with dynamic animations, as The Verge writes. As a result, you'll receive a more evident signal when, for instance, a thunderstorm or a decline in the price of your favorite stocks occurs. Some individuals might find this annoying, but there is currently no clear method to disable it. On a support page, Microsoft provides further information about widgets.
In addition, Microsoft Teams' chat feature is now directly integrated into Windows 11, and further upgrades will enable window sharing and direct mute control from the taskbar:
As a result of the Teams integration's expansion to the Edge browser, Task Manager now displays individual tabs. In addition to the site, icon, and topic name, Edge tabs on the taskbar now display a generic icon while the user is surfing privately.
File Explorer and the Microsoft Store are just two of the stock programs that have undergone redesigns. The latter offers Android app compatibility through the Amazon Appstore, but if you'd like, you may also use the Epic Games Store. Although there is no sign that Windows 11 will include the Google Play Store, you may still accomplish this thanks to a workaround.
Google is also developing a specific Play Store Games app if you'd like to stick with official offerings. Before the end of 2022, this is anticipated to be launched and compatible with Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Additionally, Windows 11 offers a redesigned Action Center with distinct areas for Quick Settings, Notifications, and a music controller. Because of its Windows 10X-inspired design, it is simple to operate with a touchpad, mouse, pen, or finger.
The Snipping Tool is introduced in Windows 11. It takes the position of Snip & Sketch in Windows 10, although it has a lot more features than the outdated Snipping Tool featured in older versions of Windows.
Numerous stock programs have also undergone redesigns to better match Windows 11's new look. They consist of the following: File Explorer, Calculator, Clock, Notepad, Media Player, and so on.
File Explorer in Windows 11
Additionally, Windows 11 includes a new starting sound. View the five-second video below:
To fit in with the rest of the Windows 11 user interface, this was made. The same sliders show when altering brightness using the keyboard keys, supporting both light and dark modes. Other noteworthy updates in this version include the ability to delete the clock, more on-screen keyboard styles, and a new in-progress call pane for the Your Phone companion app.
Although there have been conflicting opinions on it, the Edge browser is now included in the Microsoft Teams integration. It implies that Task Manager now displays individual tabs together with GPU and crashpad statistics. In addition to the site name, icon, and topic name, tabs on the taskbar also display a generic icon when used for private surfing.
Versions of the Task Manager that are currently in use since February 2022 support an "Eco mode." Setting the priority of other programs to "low" can be used to give them more resources. This limits how much CPU or GPU power resource-intensive programs may use, which should enhance performance and battery life.
The Dynamic Refresh Rate functionality of Windows 11 is now accessible elsewhere. This enables screens over 60Hz on compatible devices (such as Microsoft's Surface Pro 8 and Surface Laptop Studio) to automatically vary their refresh rate based on what you're doing. By doing this, power is kept from being squandered needlessly.
In February 2022, Windows 11 received its first significant upgrade, bringing with it several new features. They include new taskbar features, revamped Notepad and Media Player applications, and a public preview of native Android app compatibility. However, the latter is tougher than Windows 11 itself, requiring at least 8GB of RAM and an SSD.
When it released Windows 11, Microsoft made it far more difficult to change the default browser, but in March 2022, the firm largely undid that move. With the release of version KB50011563, users will have the opportunity to designate a certain browser as their default for HTTP, HTTPS,.HTML, and.HTM files. You will nonetheless need to modify the location of each PDF opening.
These updates are 40% smaller than Windows 10 updates and are applied in the background, so they shouldn't interfere with your work. Because Windows 11 is more energy-efficient, battery life should eventually get better. which implies that it consumes less energy, extending the life of your laptop.
Here is all the information you need to know about the 22H2 upgrade, which is Windows 11's upcoming major update. Looking further into the future, Windows 12 might be available as early as 2024.
