Everything about Windows 11 and its features:
Everything about Windows 11 and its features:
After what seemed like ages of waiting, Microsoft has finally announced what it’s calling “the next generation of Windows”. Windows 11 is a major, major change. It’s representative of a big shift in how Microsoft delivers Windows, but it’s a big UX overhaul as well. On top of that, it’s getting Android app support, a new Store, and much more. Here’s what we know so far!
Windows 11 was unveiled at Microsoft’s big event on June 24, with a confirmed release date of October 5. Many features justify the jump in numbering from 10 to 11.
Showcasing the Fluent design language and more, the new upgrade can also be tried out on the Insider channels. Ready to download and use on machines that meet the minimum requirements.
There is also a huge redesign of the Microsoft Store, allowing Android apps from the Amazon App Store to be used. So you can download TikTok and other apps if you wish.
Plenty of discoveries are still being made with the updated Insider build and from what Microsoft is confirming with other vendors and users. But we’re making sure that we’re updating this page with everything that’s been confirmed so far.
There’s still some confusion as to the system requirements of what Windows 11 needs for your PC. Mainly due to a component called TPM, but it looks as though Microsoft is looking into this as the final release nears.
While we wait for its October release, here’s everything we know about the release date, the new features, and more for Windows 11.
When is the Windows 11 release date?
Microsoft confirmed that Windows 11 is launching on October 5 as a free upgrade, with eligible devices being notified from them on.
Messages in previous press shots were stating how Windows was “turning it up to 11 in October!”
Intel also recently made reference to Windows 11 being the ‘October 2021’ update, which now only reinforces the October 5 date.
There are already laptops that are going to be launching with Windows 11. With vendors such as Huawei agreeing with a deal with Microsoft to launch new laptops with the latest upgrade of Windows.
The company also confirmed that its PC Health Check tool will be updated closer to the launch of Windows 11. So you can see whether your device is eligible to upgrade. As perfect as 11.11 *would* be. We just couldn’t wait any longer to make #Windows11 available. Get it October 5th, and read all about it now. August 31, 2021.
There is also going to be a yearly update of the new operating system, similar to Apple’s efforts with macOS.
While Microsoft released a tool that allowed you to see if your desktop PC or laptop will be able to run Windows 11, it was confirmed to be buggy, giving erroneous results for machines that would have no problem in running the update.
However, another tool has been released which gives you much clearer detail for how eligible for PC is.
How to download Windows 11
Microsoft has been updating the Insider builds of Windows 11 on the developer channel since its announcement. So if you want to give it a try, we have a handy guide all about how to download Windows 11.
The build is now widely available on the beta channel, showcasing more refinements across the board, including the Microsoft Store.
Before you do though, the best point of call would be to make sure that your PC is enrolled for Microsoft’s Insider Program first, as long as it meets the requirements.
But do be aware, we advise you to only run it on a PC that’s not your main machine, as there are plenty of small issues for now.
In the meantime, vendors such as Lenovo have released some guidance to other users who have machines running Windows 7 and above, that it may be a free upgrade, but with a caveat.
There’s even an option to downgrade to Windows 10 if you are experiencing issues with Windows 11. This is available in the current Insider builds, but you can only do it within 10 days of upgrading your machine, otherwise, a clean install has to be done to go to Windows 10.
Minimum Specifications of Windows11
There’s been a lot of discussion as to which devices are eligible for Windows 11. Regardless of the TPM requirement, others are simply wondering if they need to look to upgrade their PC or laptop soon.
For now, Microsoft has published the requirements for the update, but they are subject to change as we near release and the company takes feedback on board.
This feedback looks to have made an effect, with Microsoft posting a support post on how to tell if your PC is enabled with TPM 2.0 so it can be eligible for an upgrade to Windows 11.
Intel, AMD, and others are already working on compatibility for Windows 11. Make sure that processors and graphics cards are compatible as soon as the upgrade launches on October 5.
- Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with at least two cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or SoC
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 64GB
- System Firmware: UEFI, Secure Boot capable
- TPM: Trusted Platform Module 2.0
- Graphics Card: DirectX 12 or later with WDDM 2.0 driver
- Display: 720p, 8-bit per color channel, at least 9-inch diagonal
- Internet Connection and Microsoft Account: Windows 11 Home requires an active internet connection and a Microsoft Account to complete the initial, first-use setup of the operating system, or when switching a device out of Windows 11 Home in S-mode.
How much is Windows 11?
Windows 11 will be a free update for existing Windows users. You’ll need to be online to download, install and activate Home versions. And you’ll need to have a Microsoft account when installing it on or upgrading your PC or tablet.
So far Microsoft has released the hardware requirements for Windows 11. But there’s confusion over TPM (Trusted Platform Module) and whether the company is pushing hard over the minimum threshold for which devices are eligible to be updated to the new version.
While we’ve got a handy explainer for you that goes into TPM, hardware vendors can still offer new machines with Windows 11 that won’t need this requirement, albeit with good reason to.
Windows 11 features
There are improvements across the board in Windows 11, with Microsoft promising that updates will be 40% smaller, and touting Windows 11 as “the most secure release yet”.
The taskbar is optimized for touch as well as mouse peripherals and is now renamed the dock.
New multitasking features are also on offer thanks to a feature called Snap Layouts. Which enables you to arrange multiple windows across the screen, not just side by side. But in columns, sections, and more.
There’s now a much-improved health check app found in Settings. Where Windows 11 will recommend you to turn down the brightness for example. Change the power-saving mode of the battery and much more.
A new Vision 11
Fluent Design is the new name for the look of Windows 11. Across the board, everything looks more modern and fresh, with rounded windows and apps such as Snipping Tool seeing huge improvements in years.
One of the biggest changes users will notice is that the Start menu has been moved to the center of the screen – and it’s now “cloud-powered”. So it dynamically changes depending on the time of day, and the content you’re working with.
If you’re using the Insider Build, there are already ways of customizing the taskbar and the start menu, including moving the icons back to the left.
Light Mode and Dark Mode are here too, with a unified design across the operating system. With colorful wallpapers to choose from as well.
Gaming on Windows 11
Gaming will be a much bigger focus in Windows 11. With the sluggish and frustrating-to-use Windows 10 Xbox app replaced by a new Game Pass app that enables you to buy. Manage and remove games. Making it easier for you to access and download games, from Doom Eternal to – soon – Halo Infinite.
HDR will also be supported on compatible machines, offering improved lighting and contrast for gaming and viewing media. Direct Storage is also here, with the main game assets able to be downloaded and installed. Enabling you to play your games even faster than before.
Touch improvements of Windows11
Tablet mode has been one of Windows’ weaker points ever since Windows 8. And the new tablet features that Microsoft showed off for Windows 11 could be key to the operating system’s fortunes. Especially with future Surface products in the pipeline from Microsoft – to have a new. Numbered operating system for its upcoming tablets could be a big selling point for new users.
At the event, Microsoft touted bigger touch targets and easier ways to move windows around. And better rotate optimizations, for example in how windows are rearranged. So you don’t lose track of the applications you were using.
Gestures used with the trackpad of the Surface models are also coming to the touchscreen, bringing in some familiarity here. Haptics is also coming to Windows 11 when you use a stylus for better feedback when drawing or sketching.
The touch keyboard has also been redesigned. With a smaller keyboard just for your thumb, and emojis ready to be used. Microsoft says dictation will also be improved, alongside voice commands, with ‘delete that’ options and more.
