Windows 11 will be available as a free upgrade through Windows Update starting 5 October 2011, for all existing compatible Windows 10 devices. Windows 11 has all the power and security of Windows 10 with a redesigned and refreshed look. It also comes with new tools, sounds, and apps. Every detail has been considered. All of it comes together to bring you a refreshing experience on your PC.
Basic System Requirements[tie_index]Basic System Requirements[/tie_index]
- Windows 11 will only support a 64-bit processor system and will drop the support for 32-bit and 16-bit software.
- The officially supported list of processors includes Intel Core 8th Gen or later, AMD Zen+ or later, and Qualcomm Snapdragon 850 or later, AMD Ryzen processors with “AF” revisions.
- Minimum RAM is 4GB
- Minimum HDD Storage is 64 GB
- For the motherboard, legacy BIOS is no longer supported but the following is now required.
- UEFI, Secure Boot capable is required. To change these settings, you will need to switch the PC boot mode from one enabled as “Legacy” BIOS (also known as “CSM” Mode) to UEFI/BIOS (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface). Check here for information on how your PC might be able to meet this requirement.
- Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0, security coprocessor is required. Click here to find out more.
- The Graphics card must be compatible with DirectX 12 or later with the WDDM 2.0 driver.
- The display shall be at least a high definition (720p) display that is greater than 9” diagonally, 8 bits per colour channel.
- You will need a Microsoft account and internet connectivity to setup Windows 11 Home.
For more information, please see Microsoft Windows 11 website.
Introducing the New Windows 11[tie_index]Introducing the New Windows 11[/tie_index]
Starting Up[tie_index]Starting Up[/tie_index]
The Windows 11 interface has been redesigned and the first impression is the group of icons aligned center in the bottom taskbar that reminds us of MacOs. The difference is that Windows supports a touch screen and so users can tap on those icons without the need for a mouse. The icons look big enough in the video above but it depends on the screen resolution and size.
In our opinion, this could be the most visible, major change for Windows 11 – at least for the start.
| 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. We put Start at the center and made it easier to quickly find what you need. Start utilizes the power of the cloud and Microsoft 365 to show you your recent files no matter what platform or device you were viewing them on earlier, even if it was on an Android or iOS device. |
Windows Snapping [tie_index]Windows Snapping[/tie_index]
Windows 10 already support snapping windows to half or quarter screens by pressing the windows and arrow buttons together. Try the following sequence in Windows 10:
- Press <Windows> <Left>: To snap current window to left side (half screen).
- Press <Windows> <Up>: To snap current window to the top left corner (quarter screen).
- Press <Windows> <Down>: To return back to left side (half screen).
- Press <Windows> <Right>: This moves the left side window to the middle.
- Press <Windows> <Up>: This maximizes the current half window to the full window.
So what Windows 11 does is that they have pre-arranged grids for the windows to snap, as shown in the above screen capture. This is not new and is already implemented in design software such as 3dsmax.
| New in Windows 11, we’re introducing Snap Layouts, Snap Groups, and Desktops to provide 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. |
Above is an example of three windows snapped in position.
- One-half window is snapped to the left side.
- Two windows snapped to the top-right and bottom-right.
Microsoft Team Chat Shortcut On Taskbar[tie_index]Microsoft Team Chat Shortcut On Taskbar[/tie_index]
They added the Microsoft Team Chat shortcut button on the taskbar, so it is easier and faster to connect. We are not sure if there is anything to be excited about. We have used to placing tonnes of shortcuts all over the desktop and task bar.
What is Microsoft so excited about adding just one icon in the task bar?
| With Windows 11, we’re excited to introduce Chat from Microsoft Teams integrated in the taskbar. Now you can instantly connect through text, chat, voice or video with all of your personal contacts, anywhere, no matter the platform or device they’re on, across Windows, Android or iOS. If the person you’re connecting to on the other end hasn’t downloaded the Teams app, you can still connect with them via two-way SMS. Windows 11 also gives you a more natural way to connect with friends and family through Teams, allowing you to instantly mute and unmute, or start presenting directly from the taskbar. |
Xbox Game Pass[tie_index]Xbox Game Pass[/tie_index]
If you’re a gamer, Windows 11 is made for you. Gaming has always been fundamental to what Windows is all about. Today, hundreds of millions of people around the world game on Windows and find joy and connection with loved ones and friends through play. 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. Nothing has changed in our commitment to hardware compatibility – Windows 11 supports your favorite PC gaming accessories and peripherals. With Xbox Game Pass for PC or Ultimate, gamers get access to over 100 high-quality PC games with new games added all the time, and it’s still just as easy to find people to play with, no matter if they’re playing on a PC or console. To learn more about what Windows 11 means for gamers, check out Xbox Wire. |
The games in the screenshot above are mostly old EA games that worked on older PC hardware and earlier versions of Windows. Click to find out more about Xbox Game Pass.
With Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, we can also experience Xbox Cloud Gaming on Windows PCs via a browser, so even an entry-level device can play the biggest Xbox console titles.
The above “browser game” capability, has nothing to do with Windows 11.
Windows 11 Widgets[tie_index]Windows 11 Widgets[/tie_index]
Microsoft tried this concept with the mega “Start Menu” in Windows 10, but it did not work very well.
Now, this widget windows in Windows 11 look more familiar on existing Apple iPad or Samsung Galaxy Android. It is a fresh look on Windows 11, but the concept is not new.
| Windows 11 brings you closer to the news and information you care about faster with Widgets – a new personalized feed powered by AI and best-in-class browser performance from Microsoft Edge. Even when we’re at our most focused and creative we still need breaks – a moment to check in with the outside world or give ourselves a mental reset. Today, we often pick up our phones to check the news, weather or notifications. Now, you can open a similarly curated view directly from your desktop. When you open your personalized feed it slides across your screen like a sheet of glass so it doesn’t disrupt what you’re doing. For creators and publishers, Widgets also opens new real estate within Windows to deliver personalized content. Our aspiration is to create a vibrant pipeline for global brands and local creators alike, in a way that both consumers and creators can benefit. |
Windows 11 Microsoft Store[tie_index]Windows 11 Microsoft Store[/tie_index]
New Opportunity for Developers and Creators[tie_index]New Opportunity for Developers and Creators[/tie_index]
| We’re enabling developers and independent software vendors (ISVs) to bring their apps regardless of whether they’re built as a Win32, Progressive Web App (PWA), or Universal Windows App (UWP) or any other app framework, creating an opportunity to reach and engage with more people. We’re also announcing a progressive change to our revenue share policies where app developers can now bring their own commerce into our Store and keep 100% of the revenue – Microsoft takes nothing. App developers can still use our commerce with competitive revenue share of 85/15. |
The above statements regarding revenue share are noteworthy. To learn more about the changes to the Microsoft Store, visit this Windows Blog post.
