Microsoft’s latest operating system, Windows 11, was released in mid-2023 and made available to the public in October of that year. If your computer meets the system requirements, you can obtain this new version of Windows free of charge.
It is not necessary to rush into updating your system, as Microsoft will still provide support for Windows 10 until 2025. If you would like to take advantage of the new features available on Windows 11, however, you may want to consider upgrading sooner rather than later. This article will provide information on what features are available, when they can be accessed and how to update your system.
The New Windows 11: What’s New?
The Microsoft Store has been upgraded, offering a range of new features including a simplified design, increased usability, enhanced communication, improved gameplay, and a new user interface. Let us take a closer look at some of these characteristics.
- You may get your windows in order and make your displays seem neater by using Snap Layouts, Snap Groups, and Desktops.
- Having the option to set up additional desktops will allow you to compartmentalize your professional and personal life.
- There is a shortcut to Microsoft Teams Chat on the taskbar so you can access it quickly and easily. A presentation may be launched from the menu bar.
- This updated operating system offers gamers the opportunity to enjoy more realistic visuals, higher frame rates, a wider colour palette and more, due to its improved capabilities.
- Similar to the apps on your smartphone, the Widgets feature provides you with access to customised content including the latest news, weather updates and more.
- The Microsoft Store has been improved to provide faster search and navigation capabilities, making it easier to find what you are looking for. As reported by TechRepublic, popular first- and third-party programs such as Microsoft Teams, Visual Studio, Disney+, Adobe Creative Cloud, Zoom, and Canva are soon to be available within the Microsoft Store, as well as Android applications.
To What End Would an Upgrade Be Worthwhile?
Here are some of the top reasons to move from Windows 10 to Windows 11.
- Your programs are more rapid. Windows 11 has improved memory management, prioritizing already open windows to ensure a smoother user experience. Additionally, restarting from sleep mode has been optimized, saving users valuable time.
- Both the Start menu and the new Taskbar are now easily accessible. Windows 11 has seen some changes to the Start Menu and Taskbar, which have been moved to the center of the screen for increased accessibility. However, should you prefer, they can always be moved back to the side. The Start Menu now only displays commonly used programs and files, providing less clutter. Instead of a search box, the Taskbar now has a dedicated search icon, and Cortana has been removed.
- You receive multitasking aid. Snap Layouts enables users to arrange windows in clusters and tile them in various dimensions. Furthermore, the operating system is able to recall the window arrangement to restore the same layout on your display.
- More features are available while using the tablet. Tablets with tablet-enabled devices provide a more responsive touch input experience. To enhance user experience further, the Operating System (OS) supports gestures to allow users to switch between desktops and launch applications.
- The safest option available. The introduction of the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 and the new Secure Boot feature make Windows 11 the most secure iteration of Windows to date.
It has been suggested that upgrading to Windows 11 is as straightforward as installing a Windows 10 feature update, backing Microsoft’s claim that it is easy to deploy and manage, like Windows 10. Integration with Windows 11 can be achieved with the help of management technologies such as Microsoft Endpoint Manager, cloud configuration, Windows Update for Business, and Autopilot.
Teams can take advantage of Test Base for Microsoft 365 to test mission-critical applications. Furthermore, Microsoft offers App Assure to support teams of 150 or more users in addressing any application-related issues, as well as a guarantee that all pre-installed programs will remain compatible with Windows 11.
When Is an Upgrade Necessary?
Despite the release of Windows 11 today, not all users are convinced of the benefits of updating at this time. An article recently published by PC Gamer highlighted concerns that the new operating system is lacking certain promised features, before going on to state that these will be improved in a later release.
Microsoft will address any issues that do not meet customer satisfaction or are not performing optimally during the initial 10-day period. If you install Windows 11 and are not happy with it, you have the option to revert back to a previous version of Windows during the first 10 days.
Improvement Methods
If you are not collaborating with an IT department to carry out the Windows 11 update, please adhere to the following instructions. Firstly, it is important that you are aware of the minimum system requirements for your device.
- Processor: a 64-bit processor or System on a Chip running at 1 GHz or more with two or more processing cores (SoC)
- RAM: 4 gigabytes (GB) (GB)
- Storage: Device with storage capacity of 64 GB or more
- System firmware: Supports UEFI and Secure Boot
- Visual-Effects card: DirectX 12 or later with WDDM 2.0 driver compatibility.
- Display: HD (720p) screen size >= 9 inches, 8 bits/color channel
- Having an Online presence: A Microsoft account and internet connection are required to use Windows 11 Home edition. To disable Windows 11 Home in S mode, the device must be connected to the internet. All versions of Windows 11 require an internet connection to receive updates, download content, and access certain features. Certain functions may also require a Microsoft account.
The next step is to verify if your computer is compatible with the free upgrade to Windows 11 by checking the Update & Security settings page. You should be prompted to download Windows 11 if eligible. Prior to making the switch, ensure that the programs you currently use are compatible with the new OS, that you have updated Windows 10, rebooted the system, and backed up all your data.
