What is Windows 11?

Microsoft’s new operating system, Windows 11, was released last month and is the successor to Windows 10. As of July 2015, Windows 10 was the first major software platform update since. A major milestone for the company, especially in terms of adapting their technology to meet the changing needs of consumers, has been reached with the upgrade.
Microsoft’s Chief Product Officer for Windows and Devices, Panos Panay, stated that “a new era for the PC begins today” with Windows 11, calling it “an exciting milestone in the history of Windows.”
Device use has changed dramatically during this pandemic. PCs used to fit into our lives, but now we use them for everything from work, socialising, entertainment, and shopping.
In response to the social shifts that have occurred since March 2020, Microsoft has created a new version of Windows 11. You can now work and socialise at the same time thanks to a single digital interface created by Microsoft.

Introducing: Windows 11
With its fresh, minimalist style, Windows 11 comes accompanied with many new features and updates to help you be more productive. These include:
• The Start button and Taskbar are now positioned in the centre of the display. This fully utilises the cloud and Microsoft 365, meaning all your recent files will display, no matter what device you were viewing them on before.
• Live Tiles have been replaced by personalised Widgets for news, events, weather etc.
• Snap Layouts allows you to open multiple windows at once in your chosen layout, adapting to the size of your screen and helping you view multiple documents, browsers, and platforms at once for more efficient working.
• Snap Groups remembers collections of apps you’ve used in a Snap Layout and displays them in the Taskbar. This allows you to minimise and get access to the Group at once, without having to control each window individually.
• You can create and customise different Desktops, helping you differentiate between different purposes and stay focused. E.g., you can create different Desktops for school, work, gaming, social etc.
• Microsoft Teams is built into Windows 11 devices, meaning you can instantly connect with colleagues directly from your Taskbar. It also integrates seamlessly with Outlook and Calendar, making communication even more streamlined.
• Updates are 40% smaller and happen in the background, so you’re not disrupted throughout the day.
• An improved health check app makes recommendations to suit you, including brightness settings, power saving modes, and more.
• You can now download Android apps, such as TikTok or Facebook, onto your Windows device via the Microsoft Store and Amazon App Store.
• Benefit from optimised gaming performance, with improved graphics and a new Game Pass app for buying and managing games.

How do I download Windows 11?
If you’re currently using Windows 10, you can upgrade to Windows 11 for free provided your laptop or PC meets Microsoft’s minimum system requirements.
• Processor: 1GHz or faster with two or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or system on a chip (SoC)
• RAM: at least 4GB
• Storage: at least 64GB of available storage
• Security: TPM version 2.0, UEFI firmware, Secure Boot capable
• Graphics card: Compatible with DirectX 12 or later, with a WDDM 2.0 driver
• Display: High definition (720p) display, 9″ or greater monitor, 8-bits per colour channel

To ensure you don’t miss out on an update, Microsoft will begin rolling it out to eligible devices over the next few months. For optimal performance and security, Windows 11 will be updated every year, just like Apple’s macOS operating system.

Alternatively, you can upgrade to Windows 11 now by visiting the Windows 11 download page.
Please keep in mind that it may be a good idea not to upgrade right away. For the first few months, Microsoft will have the opportunity to iron out any issues that may arise.
Windows 10 will be supported by Microsoft until 2025. If you wait until 2025 to upgrade to Windows 11, Microsoft will no longer provide active support or security updates for your software.
For more information about Windows 11 or other Microsoft products, please contact us today.