Windows 11: Everything you need to know

Windows 11 is Microsoft’s newest desktop running machine. Few have been predicting its arrival firstly of 2021, with Windows 10 prior to now described as “the remaining model of Windows”.

But Microsoft’s angle gave the impression to alternate all over the pandemic, which left folks around the globe depending on its tool for the whole thing from far off operating to holding involved with family and friends. Some of those new tendencies seem to be everlasting, so the corporate made up our minds it was once time for a contemporary get started.

Windows 11 represents a large shift in design, aiming to simplify the consumer revel in and cut back litter. Many parts are impressed by means of Windows 10X, the cancelled Windows 10 spin-off designed for touchscreen gadgets. These days, Microsoft seems intent on making Windows 11 a super OS for a lot of other gadgets and shape components.

All eligible laptops and PCs can now set up Windows 11, both by the use of Settings or downloading it manually. Aside from a Mac or Chromebook, nearly each and every different 2022 pc runs Windows 11, so there’s already quite a few selection.

But regardless of its easy design, there’s quite a few other parts to the Windows 11, lots of that are price exploring in additional element. This complete information targets to solution each and every query you would possibly have in regards to the OS, linking out to our in depth Windows 11 protection.

What’s Windows 11 like?

Clearly in need of to keep away from frightening thousands and thousands by means of making radical adjustments (because it in the end did with Windows 8), Microsoft has saved the similar elementary structure, albeit with an important redesign. You’ll additionally in finding rounded corners in all places you glance and a brand new centrally located Start Menu, even though you can go back the latter to the facet if you’d desire.

There’s a brand new widgets panel which will display the elements, shares, information and different issues – reputedly changing the outdated Start Menu’s are living tiles – and stepped forward grouping and snapping of open Windows so you can focal point extra simply on what you’re making an attempt to do.

Windows 11 on tablets is far stepped forward thank you to the advent of gestures and a brand new on-screen keyboard that a lot more identical to the only for your phone. You will even set up and use Android apps by the use of the Amazon Appstore, even though a workaround shall we you use the Google Play Store as a substitute.

However, whilst there are many visible adjustments, Windows 11 will have to be a very simple transition from Windows 10 for most of the people.

When did Windows 11 pop out?

• Initial free up date: 5 October 2021
• Free improve for all eligible Windows 10 PCs quickly
• All appropriate gadgets can improve manually.

As Microsoft showed a month previous, Windows 11 was once formally launched on 5 October 2021.

Really, that was once simply the date that OEMs (authentic apparatus producers) can start to free up Windows 11 {hardware}. The weblog publish said that ‘in-market gadgets’ that are eligible for the improve might be presented it later as a part of a phased and measured means. 

However, an reputable weblog publish from January 2022 showed that this was once forward of time table. Given Windows 11 entered “its ultimate segment of availability” presently, any exceptional gadgets will have to obtain the replace very quickly in the event that they haven’t already.

You don’t have to wait till it’s delivered to your pc or PC, although. If you’re glad to set up it manually, a last model is to be had to obtain from the Microsoft site. Learn extra in our separate information – how to obtain Windows 11 now. This ISO report may be the way in which to move if you need to set up it the usage of a USB.

How a lot does Windows 11 value?

• Free improve for eligible PCs
• New {hardware} pricing depending on producer
• USB and obtain hyperlink variations to be had

Pricing was once all the time most likely to be some of the large questions, however the excellent news is that it’s loose for eligible PCs. This will proceed indefinitely, doubtlessly during Windows 11’s lifespan. 

However, it’s now not so simple as all Windows 10 gadgets getting Windows 11 – as is defined beneath, Microsoft has up to date the {hardware} necessities for its new OS.

Naturally, upgrading from Windows 10 isn’t the one method to get Windows 11. Plenty of latest laptops and PCs are already working the running machine out of the field, with lots extra at the method. So a long way, it doesn’t look like having Windows 11 pre-installed has affected the asking value.

However, you too can now purchase Windows 11 as a standalone running machine. The very best manner is by the use of a obtain hyperlink, which might be despatched to you as soon as you whole the acquisition:

You should buy it pre-loaded on a USB stick if you’d desire – that is these days to be had for Windows 11 Home ($139/£115.99), however now not Pro. At Amazon UK, you will even get a disc model for £128.99.

It’s price reiterating that this isn’t vital for most of the people, particularly whilst the loose improve from Windows 10 is to be had.

Wasn’t Windows 10 the remaining ever model of Windows?

That’s what Microsoft mentioned when it introduced Windows 10, sure. But it sounds as if it modified its thoughts about that. The corporate can have rolled out those adjustments in a Windows 10 replace, however it selected now not to refer again to this commentary all over the release match and could be hoping its consumers have quick reminiscences.

Interestingly, Microsoft did reference this at its April 2022 hybrid paintings match. However, the corporate described the pandemic as the important thing motive force of this transformation in technique, including that “how, when and the place we paintings basically modified in a single day”. 

But after spending a couple of months with Windows 11, it’s transparent now not a lot has in reality modified below the skin.

Will my present PC or pc run Windows 11?

The minimal {hardware} necessities for Windows 11 are as follows:

• 1GHz dual-core processor
• 4GB RAM
• 64GB of garage
• UEFI, Secure Boot succesful
• Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0
• Graphics card appropriate with DirectX 12
• Display higher than 9in with 720p or upper answer
• Microsoft account + web connection

Not positive in case your instrument is appropriate? Microsoft has a loose ‘PC Health Check’ app, designed to assist you do exactly that. It’s to be had to obtain from the ground of the major Windows 11 web page.

That garage requirement could be SSD-only from 2023, if knowledge garage analysts Trendfocus (by the use of Tom’s Hardware) are to be believed. However, Windows 11 gadgets the usage of HDDs or eMMC garage aren’t anticipated to be affected.

For additional info, take a look at our separate information:
Will my PC run Windows 11?

Microsoft doesn’t inspire it, however there may be nonetheless some way to set up Windows 11 on unsupported PCs. Indeed, you’ll more than likely see messages inside Settings and at the desktop caution you that your instrument isn’t appropriate. It doesn’t appear to impact efficiency and app compatibility, although.

The corporate by accident launched the 22H2 characteristic replace to unsupported Windows 10 gadgets in June 2022, however that doesn’t make it any much less dangerous. Like earlier than, we’d solely suggest making an attempt this if you have a spare Windows 10 instrument mendacity round – now not for your number one system.

Windows 11 trailers

There are two key trailers for Windows 11 which might be price gazing. First up, the reputable advent video from June 2021:

Then, from September 2021, a shorter advert-style trailer. You can have noticed a model broadcast on TV:

What new options does Windows 11 have?

There are too many to move into a whole lot of element right here, however listed here are the principle ones you need to know about.

First, there’s an important visible overhaul. Windows 10 has maintained a identical appear and feel all the way through its lifespan, however that’s about to alternate with Windows 11.

A brand new taskbar strikes icons to the centre, even though this will simply be reverted to a extra conventional structure. What can’t be modified is one of the capability Microsoft got rid of when put next to the Windows 10 model, however Microsoft is taking steps to rectify this. The February 2022 replace will imply the time and date presentations throughout all exterior displays, whilst drag-and-drop is anticipated to go back within the 22H2 characteristic replace.

The brand-new Start Menu isn’t essentially missing, even though its brand-new design for sure isn’t for everybody. In reality, this aesthetic is the same to what Microsoft teased for the now-cancelled
Windows 10X. Here’s what it seems like with darkish mode enabled:

It includes a grid of customisable ‘Pinned’ icons, with separate ‘All apps’ segment for the whole thing else you have put in. The ‘Recommended’ heading beneath presentations just lately used information, apps and folders – together with from cloud services and products equivalent to OnePressure and Microsoft 365 – enabling you to temporarily pick out up the place you left off, despite the fact that you remaining used a special instrument.

However, many of us had been disillusioned by means of this, particularly the loss of customisation talent. However, Microsoft has since added the facility to make a choice the cut up between Pinned and Recommended sections. The reputable screenshots beneath give you an concept the way it seems to be:

One new characteristic that has long past down neatly is the brand new Snap Layouts multitasking capability. Hovering over the maximise button permits you to make a choice the association of apps at the display, as you can see beneath. 

Widgets haven’t been a big characteristic of new variations of Windows, however that’s modified now. The panel slides in from the left, however can also be customised to fill the entire display if you’d desire. It’s designed for speedy glances at necessary knowledge with out distracting you from what you have been doing earlier than you opened it.

Teams and chat are built-in into Windows 11, with long term updates permitting you to proportion home windows and toggle mute at once from the taskbar:

The Teams integration now extends to the Edge browser. It method particular person tabs now display up inside Task Manager, with GPU and crashpad knowledge proven too. Tabs at the taskbar may even come with the web page, icon and matter identify, even though that is changed by means of a generic icon all over personal surfing periods.

Many inventory apps had been redesigned, together with File Explorer and the Microsoft Store. The latter contains Android app enhance by the use of the Amazon Appstore, however you too can use the Epic Games Store if you’d desire. There’s no indication the Google Play Store might be added to Windows 11, however
a workaround permits you to do exactly that.

If you’d fairly stick to reputable services and products, 
Google may be operating on a devoted Play Store Games app. This is anticipated to be appropriate with Windows 11 and Windows 10 and launched someday in 2022.

The inventory Photos app has additionally been redesigned, as is proven by means of Microsoft’s Panos Panay beneath:

Windows 11 has a brand-new Action Center, splitting Quick Settings, Notifications and a tune controller into separate sections. Its design is encouraged by means of Windows 10X, making it simple to navigate the usage of touchpad, mouse, pen or finger.

Windows 11 additionally has new Snipping Tool. It replaces Windows 10’s Snip & Sketch, however gives much more capability than the legacy Snipping Tool discovered on previous iterations of Windows.

Plenty of inventory apps have additionally been redesigned to be extra in line with Windows 11’s new design. They come with Calculator, Clock, Notepad, Media Player and File Explorer, with the latter proven beneath:

Windows 11 additionally has a brand spanking new startup sound. Check out the five-second clip beneath:

Nine years after the former model was once presented, we additionally in any case have an up to date quantity indicator. Here’s what you can be expecting:

This has been designed to be in line with the remainder of the Windows 11 UI. It helps each mild and darkish modes, with the similar sliders showing when converting brightness by the use of the keyboard shortcuts. Other notable adjustments on this replace come with a brand new in-progress name window for the Your Phone significant other app, extra on-screen keyboard issues and the facility to uninstall the clock.

The Microsoft Teams integration has won combined evaluations, however it now additionally applies to the Edge browser. It method particular person tabs now display up inside Task Manager, with GPU and crashpad knowledge proven too. Tabs at the taskbar may even come with the web page, icon and matter identify, even though that is changed by means of a generic icon all over personal surfing periods.

In the Task Manager, variations to be had since February 2022 enhance an ‘Eco mode’. This can be utilized to allocate extra sources to explicit apps by means of surroundings the concern of others to ‘low’. This stops resource-intensive apps from eating an excessive amount of of the CPU or GPU energy, which will have to assist make stronger efficiency and battery existence.

Elsewhere, Windows 11’s Dynamic Refresh Rate characteristic is now to be had. On appropriate gadgets (together with Microsoft’s
Surface Pro 8 and
Surface Laptop Studio), this permits panels above 60Hz to mechanically alter their refresh fee relying on what you’re doing. It prevents energy from being wasted unnecessarily.

The first main replace for Windows 11 arrived in February 2022, including a number of new options. They come with redesigned Notepad and Media Player apps, new taskbar capability and a public preview of local Android app enhance. However, the latter calls for no less than 8GB of RAM and an SSD – that’s stricter than Windows 11 itself.

Microsoft made it a lot more difficult to
alternate the default browser when it presented Windows 11, however the corporate most commonly reversed that call in March 2022. Starting with model KB50011563, there’ll be an choice inside Settings to set a browser as your default for HTTP, HTTPS, .HTML and .HTM information. However, you’ll nonetheless need to alternate the place PDFs open one after the other.

Updates like those are 40% smaller than Windows 10 and implemented within the background, that means they shouldn’t shouldn’t interrupt your paintings. Windows 11 may be extra energy environment friendly, that means battery existence will have to be stepped forward in the end. which means that it makes use of much less energy which means that your pc will have to last more.

For information on Windows 11’s subsequent large replace, right here’s the whole thing you need to know in regards to the 22H2 replace. Looking additional forward, Windows 12 is also launched once 2024.

We mentioned Windows 11 intensive on
episode 86 of Fast Charge, our weekly podcast:

Tech Advisor’s information to Windows 11

We have quite a few Windows 11 protection at the web page, answering the entire key questions on Microsoft’s new running machine.

The fundamentals

Tutorials

News

There’s lots extra the place all that got here from. Keep it locked to Tech Advisor for many extra Windows 11 protection over the approaching weeks and months.

But Windows 11 is only one a part of Microsoft’s prioritisation of accessibility. The
Surface Adaptive Kit makes any pc more uncomplicated to use, whilst the brand new
Adaptive Accessories assist people who find themselves not able to use a conventional mouse and keyboard. Combined, those equipment make a large distinction.