Microsoft announced Windows 11 during their virtual event on 25th June 2021 along with some big changes to their operating system after six years.
New Features
Redesigned Interface: Microsoft has introduced a clean new design for Windows 11 with rounded corners, a glassy design, and a centered Start menu and Taskbar. The Settings app has been redesigned and has been made cleaner, the Quick Settings tab has also been redesigned and can now be accessed easily by clicking on the Wi-Fi and volume icon.
New File Explorer: The File Explorer has been given a complete overhaul with newly redesigned icons and the menu tab has been changed to only essential items even right-clicking on a file now only shows essential options.
Microsoft Store: Microsoft has finally updated their store both look-wise as well as policy-wise making it more useful than it has ever been. Microsoft now allows developers with any application package to get directly updated using their store. Many popular applications have already made their way to the store as well like OBS Studio, Zoom, Canva, etc.
Android Apps Integration: Windows 11 will allow its users to run Android apps directly on their Windows PC. This has been made possible due to Microsoft's Partnership with Amazon as the Microsoft store will be using the Amazon App Store to download this application to your Windows PC.
Improved Tablet Mode: Windows 11 provides a better experience when interacting with it using your fingers on a touch screen display with the new on-screen keyboard, smarter auto-rotate, GIF support, and a lot of tweaks to make the system more responsive.
Better Multitasking Support: Windows 11 is bringing a new feature called Snap Groups and Snap Layouts to improve the multitasking experience. Now the user can simply hover over the maximize icon and they will be shown some option that can be used by them to snap that window in a particular area of the screen and Windows will remember the applications that have been snapped together in the taskbar. Windows 11 will also remember the application's location in case you are using multiple monitors and one monitor gets disconnected the applications on that monitor will simply be minimized and once the external monitor is connected again the apps will go back to their initial state.
Improved Virtual Desktop Support: Windows 11 allows a more seamless set up of virtual desktops. Microsoft has made toggling between multiple desktops for personal, work, school, gaming much simpler and they have also given the ability to rename each virtual desktop and also have different wallpapers set on them for easy differentiation.
Better Gaming Experience: Windows 11 improves the PC gaming experience with the introduction of Auto HDR, Direct Storage similar to the Xbox Series X.
Microsoft Teams Integration: Windows 11 gives MS Teams is now integrated directly in the taskbar of Windows 11 to make it easier to access.
Windows 11 Availability
Windows 11 will be available to the general public somewhere around the 2021 Holiday season and will continue to roll out to existing supported devices in the first half of 2022, it will be a free upgrade for existing Windows 10 users. But if you cannot wait that long Windows 11 can be downloaded on your PC with the help of Microsoft's Insider Build Program.
Check the compatibility of your device
Microsoft during their event mentioned the minimum requirements for a Windows 10 PC to upgrade:
Processor:
1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with 2 or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or System on a Chip (SoC)
RAM:
4 gigabyte (GB)
Storage:
64 GB or larger storage device
Note: See below under “More information on storage space to keep Windows 11 up-to-date” for more details.
System firmware:
UEFI, Secure Boot capable
TPM:
Graphics card:
Compatible with DirectX 12 or later with WDDM 2.0 driver
Display:
High definition (720p) display that is greater than 9” diagonally, 8 bits per color channel
Internet connection and Microsoft accounts:
Windows 11 Home edition requires internet connectivity and a Microsoft account to complete device setup on first use.
Microsoft also provides a compatibility checker tool that checks if your PC will be able to run Windows 11 or not.