 |
| Windows 11 |
At today's much-awaited virtual event, Microsoft announced the next-generation version of Windows. Even though the Redmond giant has announced that Windows 10 is the final version of Windows, the company is making a significant leap today. With the release of Windows 11, we are going past Windows 10's 5-year legacy. Yes, Windows 11 is the name of the next-generation operating system. It includes a completely new desktop user interface, a new Start Menu design, Microsoft Store enhancements, and much more.
Windows 11 Announced: New Features
New Desktop UI & Start Menu
You'll notice right away that Windows 11 has a significant UI change. Windows seems like a breath of fresh air now that the taskbar icons are centered and all apps have rounded corners. The revamped Start Menu is without a doubt the most significant improvement. In comparison to Windows 10, it's now floating (i.e., it's not tied to the taskbar) and has a new pop-up animation.
 |
| Image Courtesy: futureplc.com |
While Microsoft's Chrome OS competitor, Windows 10X, has been terminated, many of its design aspects and functionalities have been moved to Windows 11. There's also a new windows startup sound, fresh new wallpapers, and a new out-of-the-box setup experience, and more.
New Settings & Action Center UI
Furthermore, Microsoft has redesigned the Settings UI to make it look cleaner and easy to use. In Windows 11, the ‘Action Center' has been updated to provide easy access to various settings and notifications. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Battery Saver, Focus Assist, and other essential settings are all toggled here. The music player window will now appear in the Action Center as well.
The Redmond giant has also added a new “Snap Layouts” feature that makes snapping apps on your Windows 11 PC much easier. In apps, you can now access the layout options by hovering over the maximize button, as displayed below-
 |
| Apps maximization layout. |
Windows 11 Widgets
The new widgets panel will have to be the next big update in Windows 11. It's easy to find thanks to the new centered taskbar icons. It's a customizable feed that shows you weather updates, the most recent news filtered to your preferences, and more. We don't know yet if Windows 11 will accept third-party widgets from other app developers.
Revamped Microsoft Store
Windows 11 will include a redesigned and more powerful Microsoft Store, as has been predicted for quite some time. The most major change is that you may now download UWP apps, PWAs, or Win32 programs directly from the Store.
While this is fantastic news for users, the new Microsoft Store will also benefit developers because the business is not forcing them to share revenue. App developers can integrate their own commerce engine into their apps and keep 100% of the revenue.
Another significant enhancement to the Microsoft Store is the addition of Android app support. Yes, you read that correctly. The Amazon Appstore has been integrated into Microsoft Store, allowing you to get Android apps on Windows 11. This is made possible by Microsoft's use of Intel Bridge technology. These Android apps can then be pinned to the Start menu, taskbar, and other places.
Tablet, Touch & Gaming Improvements
On touch-enabled devices, Microsoft claims that Windows 11 is more intuitive. On both desktops and tablets, the next-generation desktop OS feels the same. It's now easier to switch between apps, and there's support for better motions similar to those found on your trackpad, as well as an immersive stylus/Ink experience.
In terms of gaming enhancements, Microsoft has included Auto-HDR support in Windows 11 to provide you with a better graphical experience. The Direct Storage API from the Xbox Series X will also be ported to provide speedier launch times and gaming performance.
Microsoft Teams integration is also built into the new operating system. Thanks to a dedicated icon in the taskbar, you'll be able to contact your friends or coworkers right from the taskbar.
Windows 11 Minimum System Requirements
- Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with 2 or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or System on a Chip (SoC)
- Memory: 4 GB RAM
- Storage: 64 GB or larger storage device
- System firmware: UEFI, Secure Boot capable
- TPM: TPM Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0
Windows 11: Conclusion
So, Microsoft is finally transitioning from Windows 10 to Windows 11 with several new and interesting features. A new desktop UI, Windows 10X design elements, new sounds and wallpapers, and other enhancements are included. However, all of this does not imply that Microsoft is abandoning its Windows-as-a-service strategy. In the coming years, you will receive free Windows 11 updates.
That's all for this post. Stay tuned to CERadar for more such updates!
0 Comments