Download Windows 11 now. Microsoft’s new Windows operating system debuts nearly six years after the release of Windows 10 in July 2015. It comes with a massive redesign over its predecessor, starting with a new boot screen and startup sound, up to a centrally-located Start menu and a host of new widgets. The annoying “Hi Cortana” welcome screen and Live Tiles are also gone from Windows 11. Redmond, a Washington-based company is aiming to rival the likes of macOS and Chrome OS with its latest operating system.
Features of Windows 11
Windows 11 brings a few notable changes, which we already saw in a recently leaked ISO, to the users currently running Windows 10. One of them is the new interface. Windows 7 begins with a fresh setup screen and continues with a new look and feel across all Windows elements. Like the recent iPadOS release, there are rounded corners on menus and windows. At the center, you will also see a Start menu that is designed to provide a modern experience.
For the first time since Windows NT 4.0 was released in 1996, we don’t see the Start menu on the left side – now centered. All of the default icons, including Edge and File Explorer, are moved to the center of the Start menu. People who use macOS or Chrome OS will appreciate the new position of the Start button in Windows 11. You can, however, change it by going into its settings and moving it to the left.
In addition, Windows 10’s updated Start menu does not include any Live Tiles. To further personalize your experience, you will see some recommended apps at the bottom. There is also a dedicated search button next to the Start menu that allows users to search across apps and preloaded functions on the latest version of Windows.
Also included in Windows 11 are new sounds and alerts, including a new startup sound. The gestures have changed as well. You will also get new themes, wallpapers, and an improved dark mode. A new widgets experience is also included in Windows 11. Swiping from the left of the screen will bring widgets to the foreground, or they can be placed full screen. It is possible to rearrange widgets or resize them according to your preferences. Adding or removing widgets can also help you keep up with the latest news.
With the maximize button, you can now split the active screens between multiple areas of the desktop for enhanced multitasking. Snap Layouts is what Microsoft calls this new experience. When you hover your mouse over the maximize button, you can simultaneously open multiple different screens on your computer. Upon access, Windows 11 also remembers your selected Snap Layout for multiple windows and makes them available from the taskbar, along with the apps you were working on. Snap Groups are created by Snap Layouts and can be used for future access.
Furthermore, Microsoft is improving support for multiple monitors and making virtual desktops easier to use. In addition, you can easily access each virtual desktop with custom wallpapers on Windows 11, just like you can add multiple desktops on Apple’s macOS.
Additionally, Windows 11 features an improved touch keyboard that integrates GIFs from Tenor. There are also preloaded virtual keyboards that can be positioned anywhere on the screen. A voice dictation feature is also available throughout the system. To make typing faster and easier, there is also the option to type with your voice or use a voice command. To further improve the touch experience, several interface tweaks have been made.
Microsoft had to convince manufacturers as well as consumers to use Windows 10 on tablets for a full touchscreen experience. With Windows 11, new touch targets are introduced as well as a number of improvements that help overcome those challenges. Also improved is touchscreen resizing. A lot of mobile devices now support gesture writing, which is becoming increasingly common. Additionally, haptic feedback has been added when using a stylus pen.
Earlier this year, Microsoft first tried to introduce multitasking and touch improvements with Windows 10X. However, since that dual-screen operating system was never officially released, the company is now trying to include all of that — as well as more — in Windows 11.
Multi-monitor users will also benefit from Windows 11. The working from home culture at a large scale has made this a new normal for many users these days. Microsoft has also integrated Teams into Windows 11 and added mute and unmute features to make virtual calls easier. Users can also share their windows with others connected via a virtual meeting using the Desktop Share feature. Skype might be missed, though.
Microsoft has also enhanced the performance of Chromium-based browsers. Furthermore, Microsoft Edge has specific enhancements, including improved support for multiple tabs and machines with limited resources. Windows 11’s Edge browser also supports vertical tabs.
Windows 11 has a few significant changes for PC gamers in addition to productivity improvements. Support for Auto HDR and DirectX 12 Ultimate are among them. Cloud gaming is also supported by Windows 11’s integration with xCloud. Furthermore, Xbox Game Pass offers access to a list of popular games for gamers.
On Windows 11, Microsoft has also improved its preloaded app store – Microsoft Store – with improved search capabilities and an improved user interface to make it easier for app developers to reach a wider audience. Furthermore, Microsoft has introduced a new economic model called zero-revenue share, which will allow developers to distribute their apps on Microsoft Store without incurring any commissions. As of July 28, developers will be able to use either their own or a third-party commerce platform in their apps and keep 100 percent of their revenue. Comparing it to Apple’s and Google’s app stores, it seems a bit odd.
Microsoft Store has a revamped Entertainment tab, which provides users with the latest media content across all major streaming services – including movies and TV shows. You can also wirelessly cast content from your Windows 11 device to your smart TV.
The Microsoft Store has also integrated the Amazon Appstore so Windows 11 users can download Android apps directly to their computers. Additionally, any Windows developer can make their apps available through the Microsoft Store, regardless of whether they are Win32, .NET, UWP, Xamarin, Electron, React Native, Java, or Progressive Web Apps. Additionally, Microsoft announced Adobe Creative Cloud, Disney+, TikTok, Zoom, as well as some of its native apps, including Microsoft Teams, Visual Studio, and even Notepad and Paint, would be coming to the Microsoft Store on Windows.
Additionally, Windows 11 includes various behind-the-scenes improvements to deliver a faster operating system. According to Microsoft, the new operating system will receive 40 percent fewer Windows updates, which will run in the background to provide users with a seamless experience. Additionally, the new version is said to provide longer battery life on mobile devices.
The minimum hardware requirements for Windows 11 are as follows
It claims to have worked with all major silicon partners, including AMD, Intel, and Qualcomm. Windows 11 will not be as lightweight as Windows 10, but it will require a 64-bit x86 or ARM processor as well as 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. In contrast, Windows 10 required at least 1GB RAM and 16GB of storage.
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