When Microsoft launched Windows 10, it also announced that this would be the last Windows in the series. But the pandemic makes them shift their strategy and roll over a new Windows 11 in the market. In October 2021, Microsoft launched its latest Windows 11 OS.
In the new OS, most of the top-level user interfaces have been redesigned with new sounds, animations and iconography. Everything has been modified to seem more cohesive with the rest of the latest Windows 11 design, from the Start menu and Taskbar to the context menus and in-box programmes.
Is your device compatible with Microsoft Windows 11?
Check out the basic requirements –
- 1GHz dual-core processor
- 4GB RAM
- 64GB of storage
- UEFI, Secure Boot capable
- Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0
- Graphics card compatible with DirectX 12
- Display larger than 9inch with 720p or higher resolution
- Microsoft account in addition to internet connection
Apart from that, Microsoft has released an updated version of its ‘PC Health Check’ app, designed to help you do just that. You can download it from the bottom of the main Windows 11 page.
Windows iconic Start Menu
‘Start’ has been an important element of the Windows user experience for decades, so it’s always a huge deal when it changes dramatically, as it has in Windows 11. Although this isn’t a “Windows 8-level” alteration, it will take some time to get used to.
The new Start menu has gone for a minimalist approach to app launchers. The Start menu is no longer a grid of app tiles; it’s rather a grid of icons that you can pin, unpin, and reorganise.
Better PC gaming Experience
- Integration of Game Pass
Windows 11, going beyond its expectations, introduced new gaming technologies seen in Xbox consoles only. Game Pass is Microsoft’s premier gaming service, with first-party releases and an extensive library of third-party games that come and go over time. Game Pass provides an immense gaming experience that works wonderfully on Xbox devices, but it felt clumsy and rubbed on Windows 10 systems.
- Introduction of Direct Storage
DirectStorage is an operating system feature that allows the GPU to improve transfer speeds while relieving the CPU of some overhead. As a result, gamers will have a considerably faster data transfer experience.
Widgets in Windows11
“Widgets,” a hidden panel that comes out from the left side of the screen above your desktop, is a new feature that Microsoft is attempting to market in Windows 11. You may access it by swiping in from the left side of your display or using a dedicated button on the Taskbar. The panel is divided into two sections: a widgets area at the top with a selection of customisable widgets and your Microsoft Start news feed below it.
Available widgets in this first launch of Windows 11-
- To Do
- Photos
- Calendar
- Sports
- Family Safety
- Tips
- Weather
Windows 11 Team Chat
A new chat feature in Windows 11 connects to the consumer-facing version of Microsoft Teams. Yes, Microsoft has a Teams version that you can use with your friends and family outside of work, which explains why it’s built into Windows 11 in an attempt to jumpstart the network and get people talking. This chat service is still rough around the edges and needs a lot of work.
New installation experience
Windows 11 comes with a whole new setup experience that guides you through the process. The old Cortana-driven installer is now replaced with a clean and simple interface that guides you through the process of installing Windows 11. However, Microsoft has made certain policy adjustments in this area.
For the first time, Windows 11 Home PCs must be signed in with a Microsoft Account and connected to Wi-Fi during the process.
Windows File Explorer
Since the release of Windows 8, the Windows File Explorer hasn’t seen a big UI upgrade, so it’s nice to see Microsoft has opted to modernise it for Windows 11.
Regarding File Explorer, it’s fair to say that Microsoft took the whole “make Windows simpler” thing seriously. All of the classic File Explorer functionalities, however, are still available if you require them. In this aspect, Microsoft hasn’t withdrawn any capability. The top-level UI has just been freshened up to make it easier to use for normal users.
Microsoft Apps
The new Notepad has been updated with modern design and looks. The dark mode in Notepad feature certainly will notch up the user experience.
With improvements like rounded corners around buttons and blur effects in context menus and headers, apps like Photos and Microsoft Paint have been redesigned to match the rest of the new Windows 11 interface style.
The Groove music app is renamed Media player, where both music and video playing functions are available.
The idea of Microsoft has always been simple and user friendly, which is what they are trying to achieve by implementing new changes. Though it is not perfect, Windows 11 has the potential to be the best version of its OS chain.