Home windows 11 is Microsoft’s newest desktop working system. Few have been predicting its arrival firstly of 2021, with Home windows 10 beforehand described as “the final model of Home windows”.
However Microsoft’s perspective appeared to alter in the course of the pandemic, which left individuals world wide counting on its software program for all the pieces from distant working to holding in contact with family and friends. A few of these new developments look like everlasting, so the corporate determined it was time for a contemporary begin.
Home windows 11 represents an enormous shift in design, aiming to simplify the person expertise and cut back muddle. Many components are impressed by Home windows 10X, the cancelled Home windows 10 spin-off designed for touchscreen units. Lately, Microsoft seems intent on making Home windows 11 an amazing OS for quite a lot of totally different units and type elements.
All eligible laptops and PCs can now set up Home windows 11, both by way of Settings or downloading it manually. Apart from a Mac or Chromebook, nearly each different 2022 laptop computer runs Home windows 11, so there’s loads of selection.
However regardless of its easy design, there’s loads of totally different components to the Home windows 11, a lot of that are value exploring in additional element. This full information goals to reply each query you may need in regards to the OS, linking out to our in depth Home windows 11 protection.
What’s Home windows 11 like?
Clearly eager to keep away from upsetting tens of millions by making radical adjustments (because it in the end did with Home windows 8), Microsoft has saved the identical primary format, albeit with a big redesign. You’ll additionally discover rounded corners all over the place you look and a brand new centrally positioned Begin Menu, though you possibly can return the latter to the facet should you’d choose.
There’s a brand new widgets panel which may present the climate, shares, information and different issues – seemingly changing the outdated Begin Menu’s dwell tiles – and improved grouping and snapping of open Home windows so you possibly can focus extra simply on what you’re attempting to do.
Home windows 11 on tablets is way improved because of the introduction of gestures and a brand new on-screen keyboard that rather more just like the one in your telephone. You possibly can even set up and use Android apps by way of the Amazon Appstore, though a workaround permits you to use the Google Play Retailer as an alternative.
Nevertheless, whereas there are many visible adjustments, Home windows 11 must be a straightforward transition from Home windows 10 for most individuals.
When did Home windows 11 come out?
- Preliminary launch date: 5 October 2021
- 2022 Replace launched on 20 September 2022
- All suitable units can improve manually
As Microsoft confirmed a month earlier, Home windows 11 was formally launched on 5 October 2021. However actually, that was simply the date that OEMs (unique gear producers) may start to launch Home windows 11 {hardware}.
Nevertheless, a 12 months later, you’ll be capable of obtain the replace on all suitable units. If it’s not been delivered to your laptop for no matter cause, you possibly can obtain Home windows 11 manually or set up it utilizing a USB.
New options have been added frequently, however essentially the most vital replace up to now arrived on 20 September 2022. That’s when the massive 22H2 replace was formally launched, though a gradual rollout means it could be some time earlier than your system will get it. Much more new options have been then added in October 2022.
How a lot does Home windows 11 value?
- Free improve for eligible PCs
- New {hardware} pricing depending on producer
- USB and obtain hyperlink variations out there
Pricing was at all times more likely to be one of many massive questions, however the excellent news is that it’s free for eligible PCs. This may proceed indefinitely, doubtlessly all through Home windows 11’s lifespan.
Nevertheless, it’s not so simple as all Home windows 10 units getting Home windows 11 – as is defined under, Microsoft has up to date the {hardware} necessities for its new OS.
Naturally, upgrading from Home windows 10 isn’t the one option to get Home windows 11. Loads of new laptops and PCs are already working the working system out of the field, with a lot extra on the best way. To date, it doesn’t seem to be having Home windows 11 pre-installed has affected the asking worth.
Nevertheless, it’s also possible to now purchase Home windows 11 as a standalone working system. The simplest technique is by way of a obtain hyperlink, which will likely be despatched to you when you full the acquisition:
You should purchase it pre-loaded on a USB stick should you’d choose – that is at the moment out there for Home windows 11 Dwelling ($139/£115.99), however not Professional. At Amazon UK, you possibly can even get a disc model for £99.
It’s value reiterating that this isn’t crucial for most individuals, particularly whereas the free improve from Home windows 10 is accessible.
Wasn’t Home windows 10 the final ever model of Home windows?
That’s what Microsoft mentioned when it introduced Home windows 10, sure. However apparently it modified its thoughts about that. The corporate may have rolled out these adjustments in a Home windows 10 replace, nevertheless it selected to not refer again to this assertion in the course of the launch occasion and could be hoping its prospects have quick recollections.
Curiously, Microsoft did reference this at its April 2022 hybrid work occasion. Nevertheless, the corporate described the pandemic as the important thing driver of this variation in technique, including that “how, when and the place we work essentially modified in a single day”.
However after spending a couple of months with Home windows 11, it’s clear not a lot has actually modified beneath the floor.
Will my present PC or laptop computer run Home windows 11?
The minimal {hardware} necessities for Home windows 11 are as follows:
- 1GHz dual-core processor
- 4GB RAM
- 64GB of storage
- UEFI, Safe Boot succesful
- Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0
- Graphics card suitable with DirectX 12
- Show bigger than 9in with 720p or greater decision
- Microsoft account + web connection
Unsure in case your system is suitable? Microsoft has a free ‘PC Well being Test’ app, designed that can assist you just do that. It’s out there to obtain from the underside of the principal Home windows 11 web page.
That storage requirement could be SSD-only from 2023, if information storage analysts Trendfocus (by way of Tom’s {Hardware}) are to be believed. Nevertheless, Home windows 11 units utilizing HDDs or eMMC storage aren’t anticipated to be affected.
For extra info, take a look at our separate information:
Will my PC run Home windows 11?
Microsoft doesn’t encourage it, however there’s nonetheless a option to set up Home windows 11 on unsupported PCs. Certainly, you’ll in all probability see messages inside Settings and on the desktop warning you that your system isn’t suitable. It doesn’t appear to have an effect on efficiency and app compatibility, although.
The corporate by accident launched the 22H2 characteristic replace to unsupported Home windows 10 units in June 2022, however that doesn’t make it any much less dangerous. Like earlier than, we’d solely suggest attempting this when you have a spare Home windows 10 system mendacity round – not in your major machine.
That replace has now been formally launched, and all present Home windows 11 units are suitable. Study extra in our separate article on set up the 2022 Replace.
Home windows 11 trailers
You probably have a spare couple of minutes, it’s value watching this official introduction video to get a way of what Home windows 11 is all about:
What new options does Home windows 11 have?
There are too many to enter a lot of element right here, however listed here are the principle ones that you must find out about.
First, there’s a big visible overhaul. Home windows 10 has maintained an analogous appear and feel all through its lifespan, however that’s about to alter with Home windows 11.
A brand new taskbar strikes icons to the centre, though this may simply be reverted to a extra conventional format. What can’t be modified is a few of the performance Microsoft eliminated in comparison with the Home windows 10 model, however Microsoft is taking steps to rectify this. The February 2022 replace means the time and date reveals throughout all exterior screens, whereas drag-and-drop returned within the 22H2 characteristic replace.
The brand-new Begin Menu isn’t essentially missing, though its brand-new design actually isn’t for everybody. The truth is, this aesthetic is just like what Microsoft teased for the now-cancelled
Home windows 10X. Right here’s what it appears like with darkish mode enabled:
It contains a grid of customisable ‘Pinned’ icons, with separate ‘All apps’ part for all the pieces else you could have put in. The ‘Beneficial’ heading under shows not too long ago used information, apps and folders – together with from cloud providers corresponding to OneDrive and Microsoft 365 – enabling you to rapidly choose up the place you left off, even should you final used a special system.
Nevertheless, many individuals have been upset by this, particularly the dearth of customisation potential. Nevertheless, Microsoft has since added the power to decide on the cut up between Pinned and Beneficial sections. The official screenshots under provide you with an concept the way it appears:
One new characteristic that has gone down nicely is the brand new Snap Layouts multitasking performance. Hovering over the maximise button means that you can select the association of apps on the display, as you possibly can see under.
Widgets haven’t been a serious characteristic of current variations of Home windows, however that’s modified now. The panel slides in from the left, however will be customised to fill the entire display should you’d choose. It’s designed for fast glances at essential info with out distracting you from what you have been doing earlier than you opened it.
Widgets for the climate and shares are additionally constructed into the taskbar, however these can now be used to set off notifications on the taskbar. As The Verge experiences, the static icons will now get replaced with dwell animations. Meaning you’ll get a extra apparent alert that there’s a thunderstorm or your favorite shares are buying and selling downwards for instance. This may very well be distracting for some individuals, however there’s no apparent option to flip it off because it stands. Microsoft explains extra about Widgets in a help article.
Elsewhere, Microsoft Groups’ chat operate is now instantly built-in into Home windows 11, with future updates permitting you to share home windows and toggle mute instantly from the taskbar:
The Groups integration extends to the Edge browser, that means particular person tabs now present up inside Process Supervisor. Edge tabs on the taskbar can even embody the positioning, icon and subject identify, though that is changed by a generic icon throughout personal shopping periods.
Many inventory apps have been redesigned, together with File Explorer and the Microsoft Retailer. The latter consists of Android app help by way of the Amazon Appstore, however it’s also possible to use the Epic Video games Retailer should you’d choose. There’s no indication the Google Play Retailer will likely be added to Home windows 11, however
a workaround means that you can just do that.
In the event you’d fairly stick with official providers, Google can also be engaged on a devoted Play Retailer Video games app. That is anticipated to be suitable with Home windows 11 and Home windows 10 and launched someday earlier than the tip of 2022.
Home windows 11 additionally has a brand new Motion Middle, splitting Fast Settings, Notifications and a music controller into separate sections. Its design is impressed by Home windows 10X, making it simple to navigate utilizing touchpad, mouse, pen or finger.
Home windows 11 additionally has new Snipping Device. It replaces Home windows 10’s Snip & Sketch, however provides much more performance than the legacy Snipping Device discovered on earlier iterations of Home windows.
Loads of inventory apps have additionally been redesigned to be extra in line with Home windows 11’s new design. They embody Calculator, Clock, Notepad, Media Participant and File Explorer, with the latter proven under:
Home windows 11 additionally has a brand new startup sound. Try the five-second clip under:
9 years after the earlier model was launched, we even have an up to date quantity indicator. Right here’s what you possibly can count on:
This has been designed to be in line with the remainder of the Home windows 11 UI. It helps each gentle and darkish modes, with the identical sliders showing when altering brightness by way of the keyboard shortcuts. Different notable adjustments on this replace embody a brand new in-progress name window for the Your Cellphone companion app, extra on-screen keyboard themes and the power to uninstall the clock.
Home windows 11 is only one a part of Microsoft’s prioritisation of accessibility. The Floor Adaptive Package makes any laptop computer simpler to make use of, whereas the brand new Adaptive Equipment assist people who find themselves unable to make use of a standard mouse and keyboard. Mixed, these instruments could make an enormous distinction.
The Microsoft Groups integration has acquired combined evaluations, nevertheless it additionally applies to the Edge browser. It means particular person tabs now present up inside Process Supervisor, with GPU and crash experiences proven too. Tabs on the taskbar can even embody the positioning, icon and subject identify, though that is changed by a generic icon throughout personal shopping periods.
Within the Process Supervisor, variations out there since February 2022 help an ‘Eco mode’. This can be utilized to allocate extra sources to particular apps by setting the precedence of others to ‘low’. This stops resource-intensive apps from consuming an excessive amount of of the CPU or GPU energy, which ought to assist enhance efficiency and battery life.
Elsewhere, Home windows 11’s Dynamic Refresh Charge characteristic is now out there. On suitable units (together with Microsoft’s Floor Professional 8 and Floor Laptop computer Studio), this permits panels above 60Hz to routinely regulate their refresh fee relying on what you’re doing. It prevents energy from being wasted unnecessarily.
Microsoft made it a lot more durable to alter the default browser when it launched Home windows 11, however the firm principally reversed that call in March 2022. Beginning with model KB50011563, there’ll be an choice inside Settings to set a browser as your default for HTTP, HTTPS, .HTML and .HTM information. Nevertheless, you’ll nonetheless want to alter the place PDFs open individually.
The primary vital replace for Home windows 11 arrived in February 2022, including a number of new options. They embody redesigned Notepad and Media Participant apps, new taskbar performance and a public preview of native Android app help. Nevertheless, the latter requires a minimum of 8GB of RAM and an SSD – that’s stricter than Home windows 11 itself.
Then, in September 2022, Microsoft formally launched Home windows 11’s greatest replace up to now. Identified merely because the ‘2022 Replace’, it provides new performance to the Begin menu, Widgets panel and the taskbar. There’s additionally a brand new Reside Captions accessibility characteristic, higher multitasking by way of Snap Layouts and new touchscreen gestures. However there are a lot extra options that it’s value being conscious of – study extra in our full information to the 2022 Replace.
In October 2022, much more new options have been added. The long-awaited introduction of tabs in File Explorer was the spotlight, however there are additionally enhancements to the taskbar and new ‘Prompt Actions’ whenever you spotlight related textual content.
Basically, Home windows and Apple units don’t play properly collectively, however Microsoft is taking steps to enhance it. In November 2022, the corporate confirmed that Home windows 11’s Images app will supply direct integration with iCloud Images – that means all the photographs out of your iPhone will likely be simply accessible. The characteristic will likely be out there to all Home windows 11 customers by the tip of November.
Microsoft
Updates like these are thought of to be 40% smaller than Home windows 10 and utilized within the background, that means they shouldn’t shouldn’t interrupt your work. Home windows 11 can also be extra energy environment friendly, that means battery life must be improved in the long term.
However Home windows 11 won’t be getting an enormous characteristic replace for 2023. Microsoft is anticipated to switch them with smaller ‘Second’ updates delivered all year long, – the October 2022 replace is believed to have been the primary of those.
Wanting additional forward, Home windows 12 could also be launched as quickly as 2024.
We mentioned Home windows 11 at launch on episode 86 of Quick Cost, our weekly podcast:
Tech Advisor’s information to Home windows 11
Now we have loads of Home windows 11 protection on the positioning, answering all the important thing questions on Microsoft’s new working system.
The fundamentals
Tutorials
Information
- Home windows 11 provides tabs to the File Explorer
- Don’t set up Home windows 11’s 22H2 replace when you have an Nvidia GPU
- No, your Home windows system in all probability doesn’t have a virus
- Home windows 11’s newest replace fixes a critical efficiency bug
- Home windows 11’s July safety replace breaks the Begin menu
- Microsoft releases emergency safety updates for Home windows 10 and 11
- Home windows updates can break Wi-Fi, however you must nonetheless set up them
- Microsoft’s newest Home windows patches repair a serious safety flaw
- A 12 months after it was introduced, Home windows 11 adoption stays gradual
- Home windows 11 is accessible on unsupported PCs, however you shouldn’t obtain it
- Home windows 11’s newest replace is inflicting but extra points
- Home windows 11’s newest bug is stopping updates from putting in
- Microsoft reveals a number of latest options coming to Home windows 11
- Home windows 11’s subsequent replace reduces Blue Display screen of Demise crashes
- Home windows 11 set for brand spanking new Search expertise and File Explorer tabs
- Home windows 11’s newest replace hides the Begin menu, nevertheless it’s not a bug
- Home windows 11 is now put in on nearly 20% of all Home windows units
- Home windows 11’s Android apps want a minimum of 8GB RAM and an SSD
- Microsoft is testing much more new Home windows 11 options
- Home windows 11’s first massive replace brings Android apps to everybody
- Home windows 11’s February replace is already inflicting points
- Home windows 11 will increase market share by 3.5% in only a month
- Home windows 11 set for brand spanking new pill performance and wallpaper stickers
- Microsoft is altering its method to new Home windows 11 options
- Microsoft releases replace to repair Home windows 11 and 10 VPN points
- A key Home windows 11 safety characteristic is inflicting AMD efficiency points
- Home windows now has 1.4 billion customers, however what number of are on Home windows 11?
- Google Play Retailer video games are coming to Home windows in 2022
- Defective Intel audio drivers are inflicting Home windows 11 to crash
- Home windows 11’s native Android app help is now out there to strive
- Microsoft releases patch for AMD-related Home windows 11 efficiency points
- Microsoft is shifting Home windows 11 to annual characteristic updates
- Home windows 11 is right here, however not a lot has actually modified
- Why Home windows 11 feels an excessive amount of like a Home windows 10 characteristic replace
- Why Home windows 11 is quicker than Home windows 10, based on Microsoft
- Home windows 11 arrives on 5 October, however with out Android app help
- Home windows 11’s new method to the Microsoft Retailer has one main drawback
- Home windows 11 options you could have missed
- Home windows 10 options lacking in Home windows 11
- Home windows 11 will ship working darkish mode by default
- Home windows 11 is accessible in seven totally different variations
- Home windows 11’s new Microsoft Retailer has made a promising begin
- Home windows 11 Dwelling doesn’t work and not using a Microsoft account
- One UI Watch, Snapdragon 888+ & Android on Home windows 11 | Quick Cost ep. 72
- Why Home windows 11 feels an excessive amount of like a Home windows 10 characteristic replace
There’s a lot extra the place all that got here from. Maintain it locked to Tech Advisor for many extra Home windows 11 protection over the approaching weeks and months.