Everything You Need To Know About Windows 11

Everything You Need To Know About Windows 11

New Features, Price, System Requirements & Release Date - Everything You Need To Know About Windows 11

Windows 11 is Official!

Microsoft officially announced its next iteration of Windows, Windows 11 on June 24, 2021.

Windows 11 features a completely redesigned UI, new aesthetics, Auto HDR gaming experience, Android Apps Support, and much more.


NEW FEATURES IN WINDOWS 11


Android Apps Coming to the New Microsoft Store

microsoft-app-store.png Microsoft has unveiled a brand new app store. This new store features policy changes that allow app developers to submit unpackaged Win32 apps, such as raw .exe and MSI applications.

Also, app developers can now use third-party commerce platforms, and Microsoft won't take a revenue cut from apps that do.

Read more: Microsoft's new app store for Windows 11

Microsoft announced Android apps are coming natively to Windows 11 through the Amazon App Store via Intel Bridge technology.

Running Android apps in Windows was possible via third-party software (e.g. Bluestacks) in the past but having the functionality built right into the operating system is a more preferable route. Windows 11 will be able to sideload Android apps.

Read more: This is how Android apps will work in Windows 11

Auto HDR Gaming

auto-hdr.png

Auto HDR is a tool that uses machine learning to auto-convert SDR content to HDR levels of quality, all without requiring any work from the developer or player.

Windows 11 unlocks the full potential of your system’s hardware, putting some of the latest gaming technology to work for you. Like: DirectX 12 Ultimate, which can enable breathtaking, immersive graphics at high frame rates; DirectStorage for faster load times and more detailed game worlds; and Auto HDR for a wider, more vivid range of colors for a truly captivating visual experience.

New Design and Start menu

new-design.png Windows 11 is redesigned for productivity, creativity, and ease. It’s modern, fresh, clean, and beautiful. From the new Start button and taskbar to each sound, font, and icon, everything was done intentionally to put you in control and bring a sense of calm and ease.

It offers a whole new look and lots of upgrades for work and plays with simplified design and user experience to empower your productivity and inspire your creativity.

Faster

faster.png Windows 11 is faster and simpler. Microsoft promises that Windows 11 is all about speed and it’s faster at waking from sleep, Windows Hello logins, browsing with Edge, and any web browser at all too.

  • Faster startup times
  • Faster loading games via Direct Storage API
  • Windows updates are up to 40% smaller
  • Longer battery life

Secure by design

secure.png Windows 11 is more secure by design, with new built-in security technologies (TPM) that will add protection from the chip to the cloud, while enabling productivity and new experiences. Windows 11 provides a Zero Trust-ready operating system to protect data and access across devices.

Read more: Windows 11 enables security by design from the chip to the cloud

Snap Layouts, Snap Groups, and Desktops

snap-layout.png Multitasking isn't new to Windows, but with the new snap layouts, snap groups, and desktop customization it's easier to use and provides an even more powerful way to multitask and stay on top of what you need to get done.

These are new features designed to help you organize your windows and optimize your screen real estate so you can see what you need just the way you want in a layout that’s visually clean.

You can also create separate Desktops for each part of your life and customize them to your liking – imagine having a Desktop for work, gaming or school.

Windows Widgets

widgets.jpg What's old is new again: gadgets, rounded corners, etc. Microsoft is adding a widgets panel, which will slide in from the left.

The widgets will get a fresh new coat of paint and have a brand new design. It will look more modern and much cleaner. The company seems to like to compare it to a pane of glass sliding out. Of course, this can be customizable and tweaked to your needs and preferences.


PRICE


price.png Windows 11 will be completely free for Windows 10 owners on devices that meet the minimum technical specifications

And for new devices that come with Windows 11 preinstalled will be available at a variety of price points to fit your budget, as they are today with Windows 10.

And of course, if you still have Windows 7 or Windows 8 on your machine, there’s still time to upgrade to Windows 10 for free (and therefore get the bump to Windows 11).


SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS


system-requirements.png Microsoft confirms Windows 11 will only support 8th Gen and up CPUs. You can check and find the list of compatible processors here - Windows 11 Processor Requirements

These are the basic requirements for installing Windows 11 on a PC. If your device does not meet below requirements, you may not be able to install Windows 11 on your device.

Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with 2 or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or System on a Chip (SoC)

RAM: 4 gigabyte (GB)

Storage: 64 GB or larger storage device

System firmware: UEFI, Secure Boot capable

TPM: Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0

Graphics card: Compatible with DirectX 12 or later with WDDM 2.0 driver

Display: High definition (720p) display that is greater than 9” diagonally, 8 bits per colour channel

Internet connection and Microsoft accounts: Windows 11 Home edition requires internet connectivity and a Microsoft account to complete device setup on first use.

Read more: Feature-specific requirements for Windows 11

You can also download Microsoft's PC Health Check app to see if your current PC meets the requirements to run Windows 11 - Download PC Health Check app

If Microsoft's PC Health Check app is telling you that your PC isn't supported for Windows 11 upgrade because of TPM 2.0 or Secure Boot requirement:

tpt-secureboot.png

Check your BIOS and see if it is disabled. Many manufacturers don't enable it by default. You'll need a TPM 2.0 chip and to have Secure Boot enabled in the BIOS.

Download Microsoft's specification for Windows 11 minimum hardware requirements


RELEASE DATE


release.jpg Microsoft didn’t reveal an exact release date but Windows 11 will be delivered as a free upgrade to eligible devices running Windows 10, beginning later in the 2021 calendar year and continuing into 2022. Windows 11 will also be available on eligible new devices.

Windows 11 upgrade will be offered to eligible Windows 10 devices through Windows Update using Microsoft's intelligent rollout process to ensure a smooth upgrade experience.

If you are interested in testing Windows 11 before general availability, you can join the Windows Insider Program or Windows Insider Program for Business. You can also preview Windows 11 by enabling pre-release Windows 10 feature updates in Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager or Windows Server Update Services.


Source & Image credits: Microsoft & Windows Blogs