Windows 10 should actually be the last version of Microsoft’s operating system. But the plans have changed. So today, after 6 years of Windows 10, Microsoft presents its successor: Windows 11. We’ll show you the new operating system and reveal the price and release date.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 Windows 11: This is what the new operating system looks like
2 Practical new features
3 Microsoft Teams and gaming features integrated
4th Android apps run in Windows 11
5 When is Windows 11 coming and what should it cost?
After an initial leak last week, Microsoft officially announced Windows 11 today. The Windows 10 successor not only gets a fresh look, but also has some surprises to offer.
WINDOWS 11: THIS IS WHAT THE NEW OPERATING SYSTEM LOOKS LIKE
After 6 years of Windows 10, it is time for a fresh look: Microsoft is saying goodbye to the old “tile design” in Windows 11 and opting for a modern and light look.
The start button and the other app icons have moved to the middle of the taskbar. If you can’t get used to this change, you can move the icons back to the left with two clicks. There are two areas in the start menu: Apps and Files. At the top you can pin frequently used apps and at the bottom Microsoft suggests folders and files that should be currently relevant.
One change that runs through the entire system is the rounder corners. Whether windows, menus or buttons, the sharp corners from Windows 8 and 10 times are gone.
At second glance, there are many other design changes. The Settings app and many other Microsoft programs have also been completely revised and match the new look of Windows 11. The Weather & News function, which has just been added to Windows 10 , is also natively integrated. Developers can also create their own widgets for this view.
PRACTICAL NEW FEATURES
With Windows 11, Microsoft is simplifying the work with multiple windows. If you move the pointer over the zoom in button of a window, Windows offers several options for positioning the window. This is particularly useful when you work with multiple monitors.
If you use your notebook on an external monitor, the windows of the external monitor are automatically minimized as soon as you disconnect the connection. So you don’t suddenly have countless windows on your little notebook monitor. If you re-establish the connection, all windows will open in the old position. The virtual desktops also have more features such as their own background images.
MICROSOFT TEAMS AND GAMING FEATURES INTEGRATED
Microsoft has put a lot of new technology into Windows 11. Microsoft Teams is integrated into the system for the first time. So you can use the tool directly and without having to log in to your Microsoft account.
The integration of DirektX 12 Ultimate is particularly interesting for gamers. However, Microsoft has not yet owed us any details about the new gaming interface. The direct storage function, which enables many of the graphic features of the Xbox Series X, is also available on the PC.
You can also use the new Xbox app to stream games directly from the XCloud or, thanks to Auto-HDR and the new Microsoft Store , enjoy films , series and games with a high dynamic range. For a few seconds a tablet mode and the possibility to stream videos to a TV were shown. We will definitely see more about this in the coming days.
ANDROID APPS RUN IN WINDOWS 11
The Microsoft Store has had an eventful history. Even if you can now find a relatively large number of programs there, many well-known applications such as Firefox or the Adobe Suite are still missing, just to name a few examples. Windows 11 opens the store for all types of programs and introduces a new payment model. Instead of relying on a purchase transaction through Microsoft, developers can keep their programs available for download on a server and offer their own payment methods. So you don’t have to share your income with Microsoft and keep 100 percent of the sales.
Probably the biggest surprise of the evening, however, was the support for Android apps. To this end, Microsoft is cooperating with Amazon and integrating all Android apps from the Amazon Appstore into the Microsoft Store. This means that you can use many well-known Android apps in Windows 11 in the future.
WHEN IS WINDOWS 11 COMING AND WHAT SHOULD IT COST?
Windows 11 is a free upgrade from Windows 10 and should be available for download by the end of autumn this year. For interested users, there will be a public beta as part of the Windows Insider Program starting next week. To take part, you can register here .
The system requirements of Windows 11 increase moderately compared to Windows 10. For the first time, a 32-bit version of the operating system is no longer offered. To install Windows 11 on your PC or notebook, you need at least 4 gigabytes of RAM and a hard drive of at least 64 gigabytes. Except for a few very cheap notebooks, all reasonably current devices should be supported. You can use this program from Microsoft to check whether your computer is ready for Windows 11 .
