Microsoft announces Windows 11, with All New Features, New UI, Android App Support, Release Date & Many More

Windows 11

 At the virtual event on 24th June 2021 Thursday, Microsoft unveiled "The Next Generation of Windows " named Windows 11 with some major upgrades to the longstanding operating system, including its first name change in the last 6 years. It turns out Windows 10 wasn't the last version of Windows, after all, but that's okay because Windows 11 will be free for all Windows 10 user & includes a whole bunch of new features & improvements over the current version of Windows. The upgrade to Windows 11 will also be optional, meaning Windows 10 users can remain on Windows 10 until support is dropped in 2025. Check out the awesome introduction of Windows 11 by the company - Introducing Windows

Source: Microsoft

Windows 11: Complete Timeline

After hearing "The Next Generation of Windows ". We all are curious about the availability of Windows 11, here’s a complete timeline for the upcoming update:

• Windows 11 Launch Date – Microsoft has announced the next Windows update, Windows 11, on June 24 2021.
• Windows 11 Insider Preview Release Date – Microsoft will release Windows 11 for Insiders next week. Insiders in the Dev Channel will be the first to get a taste of the new design overhaul.
• Windows 11 Stable Update Release Date – Microsoft says Windows 11 will be out "this holiday season" – so we could expect it to be rolled out between late November and Christmas for all users & the company had also announced that all the new laptops with pre-installed Windows 11 will be launching later this year.

Windows 11 Eligible Device & Price: Can my PC run Windows 11? Is it Free?

Microsoft has also listed the requirements for installing Windows 11 on a PC. If a device does not satisfy the minimum requirements, it will not receive a free upgrade to Windows 11.

Hardware Requirements
To install or upgrade to Windows 11, devices must meet the following minimum hardware requirements:

·      Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with two or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or system on a chip (SoC).

·      RAM: 4 gigabytes (GB) or greater.

·      Storage: 64 GB or greater available storage is required to install Windows 11.

·         Additional storage space might be required to download updates and enable specific features.

·      Graphics card: Compatible with DirectX 12 or later, with a WDDM 2.0 driver.

·      System firmware: UEFI, Secure Boot capable.

·      TPM: Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0.

·      Display: High definition (720p) display, 9" or greater monitor, 8 bits per colour channel.

·      Internet connection: Internet connectivity is necessary to perform updates, and to download and use some features.

• Windows 11 Home Edition requires an Internet connection & a Microsoft Account to complete device setup on first use.

Operating System (OS) Requirements

For the best Windows 11 upgrade experience, eligible devices should be running Windows 10, version 20H1 or later.

Or

Download Microsoft's PC Health Check here. Use the PC Health Check App to see if your current PC meets the requirements to run Windows 11

 

Yes, Windows 11 will be a free upgrade for all existing Windows 10 users whose PC will match the System Requirements. 

Windows 11: Exciting New Features

Here are some exciting new features in Windows 11: 

·      New Start Menu: Windows 11 comes with an all-new design. It looks very modern, clutter-free, clean & very pleased with its rounded corners for UI components across the operating system. Microsoft has even implemented a floating start menu. The new OS features a Centrally located Start Menu on the taskbar to find stuff quickly which was previously placed in the left corner of the screen. But it would remind you a bit of Apple’s macOS, although it is a huge departure from the traditional design. However, if users are not comfortable with a centrally-placed Start Menu, they can bring it back to the left by tapping on Settings. The Task View and Windows Search are also improved.

Source: Indian Express

·      Widgets: Windows 11 has also introduced Widgets, which is a personalised feed powered by Microsoft Edge. As of now, Windows 11’s widgets section features the News & Interests Widgets that are already available on Windows 10. But you now have a dedicated section for widgets, which might have other widgets developed by outside developers for Windows 11 in the future. 

Source: Microsoft

·      New Microsoft Store: The new Microsoft Store now supports Universal Apps, Web Apps & Win32 Apps. It also now has Adobe Creation cloud. It also flaunts a more modern interface and be more open to users and developers. In the Microsoft Store Entertainment tab now we had Web Series, shows, movies & TV channels across all the Platforms.

Source: NewsDir3

• Integrated Android Apps: Windows 11 will now support Android apps which can be installed directly from the New Microsoft Store via Amazon Appstore, thanks to Microsoft’s partnership with Amazon. The feature is powered by Intel Bridge technology. Now, android apps can directly be access from Start Menu and taskbar.

Source: Windows Central

•  Microsoft Teams Integration: Microsoft has introduced Chat from Microsoft Teams integrated into the taskbar. This would let users connect to each other through text, chat, voice or video calls with their friends, families & office colleagues. You'll be able to access teams from Windows, Mac, Android or iOS. 

Source: All Things How

·      Xbox Tech’s Best Features: Microsoft says that Windows 11 is a treat for gamers. Windows 11 will bring two of the Xbox’s gaming improvements to the PC. The Windows 11 has “DirectX 12 Ultimate”, which can enable breath-taking, immersive graphics at high frame rates; Direct Storage for faster load times and more detailed game worlds. Auto HDR will automatically add HDR image enhancements to any games built on DirectX 11 or higher, even if they previously only featured SDR. This will allow for a wider range of brightness values and colours, making the image more vivid.

Source: Windows Central

Source: Xbox Wire

·     Redesigned Setting App: Microsoft has redesigned the Settings App with Windows 11. The Settings App on Windows 11 apparently features additional configuration options and some pages of the Control Panel will be automatically redirected to Windows 10’s Settings interface. Microsoft is tweaking the Settings app to include colourful icons for key options.

Source: Windows Latest

·      New Action Centre:  While the system tray on the right is not going away with Windows 11, some of its features will now be shifted to the new Action Centre. Action Centre on Windows 11 looks very different from the Action Centre we’ve currently on Windows 10.  It now uses a new “panels” design where your notifications and controls will be split up into different groups. It’s now resizable & adaptive, but it still has the “Clear All” button on the top right corner of the centre.

Source: Tech Advisor

·      New Wallpapers: Microsoft has also included a collection of other wallpapers inside Windows 11. The updated wallpaper retains Windows 10's royal blue colour scheme but it ditches the right-aligned Windows logo. Instead, it opted for the bloom of the “Captured Motion” set offer a more colourful option, and the “Flow” collection is a more subtle take on the default. “Glow” is a set of four colourful orbs that light up the Windows 11 backdrop, and the “Sunrise” collection is a clear nod to the Sun Valley codename for the Windows 11 UI work. You can download them from the link: The Verge Wallpapers. One Glimpse of the Wallpaper. 

Source: The Verge

• New Start-up Sound: Windows has now a new Start-up sound which sounds much more soothing. Windows Start-Up Sound check this out.
  
  

• Easier transition from Monitor to Laptop: The collections of the apps you're using at once that sits in the taskbar and can come up or be minimized at the same time for easier task switching. It also lets you plug & unplug from a monitor more easily, without losing where your open windows are located.  

       Source: Engadget

·      Better Virtual Desktop: Windows 11 will let you set up virtual desktops in a way that's more similar to macOS. Now you will be able to create separate Desktops and customise them according to your liking. For example, you now can have a Desktop for Person, Work, Gaming or School.

Source: XDA Developer

·      New Snap & Desktop - The new Windows 11 includes features called Snap Groups and Snap Layouts and Desktops to offer a better way to multitask. “These are new features designed to help you organise your windows and optimise your screen real estate so you can see what you need just the way you want in a layout that’s visually clean,” Microsoft said in a blog post.

Source: KozmoFeed

•       New Icons & Fonts: All the icons are in now pastel shades. File Explorer finally does not look prehistoric and other apps now also look streamlined. The system's Dark-Mode is also getting wider. You will also be getting some fresh & new fonts with the existing fonts which are also now more improved.

  

Source: 4am Tech Tips

After some great upgrades in Windows 11, We too have some Deprecations & Removals

·      The features or apps which are getting deprecated:

1.      Cortana – It will no longer be included in the first boot experience or pinned to the Taskbar.

2.     Desktop Wallpaper – It cannot be roamed to or from the device when signed in with a Microsoft account.

3.     Touch Keyboard – It will no longer dock and undock keyboard layouts on screen size 18 inches and larger.

4.     S Mode – It's now only available for Windows 11 Home Edition.

5.     Snipping Tool – It continues to be available but the old design and functionality in the Windows 10 has been replaced with those of the app previously known as Snip & Sketch.

6.     Taskbar – Alignment of it to the bottom of the screen is the only location allowed.

·      The features or apps which are getting removed:

1.    Internet Explorer – It is now disabled. Microsoft Edge is the recommended replacement and includes IE Mode which may be useful in certain scenarios.

2.    Tablet Mode – It is now removed & now new functionality and capability are included for keyboard attach and detach postures.

3.    Timeline – It is also now removed. Some similar functionality is available in Microsoft Edge.

4.    Taskbar – Taskbar functionality is changed:

1) Peoples is no longer present on the Taskbar.

2) Apps can no longer customize areas of the Taskbar.

3) Some Icons may no longer appear in the System Tray (systray) for upgraded devices including previous customizations.

5.    Wallet – It is now removed.

6.    Maths Input Panel – It’s now removed. Math Recognizer will install on demand and includes the math input control and recognizer. Math inking in apps like OneNote is not impacted by this change.

7.    Quick Status – It is removed from the Lock Screen & Associated Setting.

8.    Live Tiles – These are no longer available. For glanceable, dynamic content, you can see the new Widgets feature.

9.    There’re some apps that won’t be installed by default on Windows 11. These include:

·      Paint 3D – It is completely removed.

·      3D Viewer - It is completely removed.

·      OneNote for Windows 10 – It is being replaced by the Win32 app that’s available as part of the Office suite.

·      Skype – MS Teams integration will be replacing it.

Windows 11: Security 

Microsoft for Windows 11, is the new operating system that is poised to improve hybrid work productivity and security while also fixing one of the major headaches for businesses associated with Windows 10. Windows 11 will bring a new “focus, energy and conversation” around the Windows 11 operating system, said Zach Saltzman, senior director for the Microsoft platform at Carlsbad, Calif-based FMT Consultants, a Microsoft Gold partner. “Customers will need help with the upgraded planning and the execution itself, and with all of the cloud integration baked in it should drive both migration conversations as well as security and productivity services enhancement conversations.”

 Source: XDA Developer

Sources: Microsoft Windows Blogs
                  Windows Central
                  The Verge
                  Beebom
                  CNET