In 2015, Microsoft declared Windows 10 would be the operating system’s last version. But, Chrome OS evolved a need for interface update. Windows 11 desktop is more likely to Google’s lightweight desktop design. It is not completely different, it is very identical to windows 10, with some new features. This new version of Windows is more convenient as compared to previous versions. After 6 years of windows 10, a new and more updated version arrived that is, Windows 11. This article, Windows 11 first look and review, will help you in better understanding Windows 11.
As we said it is very much similar to Windows 10, you’ll not feel that different from using Windows 10. Windows 11 looks nicer because of the rounded corners in every window. It doesn’t make much difference but, gives a smooth look to the OS. The taskbar icons are placed in the middle, simpler icons, and more elegant settings dialogue. It doesn’t require a whole new process to learn using Windows 11 as Windows 8 did.
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Table of Contents
System Requirements in Windows 11
System requirements for Windows 11 aren’t much. You need— a 1 GHz CPU, 4GB RAM, 64 GB storage and a computer with a TPM security chip and secure boost capability. These can be easily available in most of the computers of the last six or seven years.
The biggest limitation is the CPU model. The CPU model has to be about from the last four years. Microsoft has released a tool, the PC Health Check-up, which will measure your PC’s ability to run Windows 11. The company stopped feature updates on the Windows 11 on systems using older CPU’s.
Now, let’s see what is new in Windows 11.
Rather than adding new features in this version of windows, they designed the previous ones. They took ideas from Chrome OS. In windows 11, you can place icons on the background, which Chrome OS doesn’t allow.
In Windows 11, multitasking and windowing are more advanced than the previous versions. There are a few more changes that we are going to talk about.
Task Bar, Start Menu and File Explorer
Prior, the Start Button used to be at the bottom-left corner of the screen. But, getting it at the left edge of centred icons was one of the biggest adjustments. But, in Windows 11, as you run more programs, the start button moves a bit more to left. Luckily, this new version provided us with a Taskbar alignment option, which will let you move the Start button to its older position, in the left corner.
The Start menu is refurbished in windows 11. It now contains pinned apps at the top of the panel. Also, it shows recent and most frequent apps in the section below. Another problem I see with the new start menu is that getting all apps viewed isn’t easy, as compared to windows 10. In windows 10, you can view all the apps as soon as you open the start menu. They are all in a list and your pinned apps are separately placed on the right side.
The new look of Windows 11 is like a File Explorer. The ribbon along the top is simplified and is not distracting as the previous ones. The new button at the top-left works for new folders or documents supported by your apps, and the same viewing options (list, details, etc.) for files are available. The overflow menu offers file compression, selection, and properties options, as well as the old folder options dialogue. But, the right-click context has become clearer, shorter and smarter in Windows 11. There are only the most needed options.
Widgets
Widget Panel is one of the new features in Windows 11. It shows you tiles for news, weather, sports and so on. It isn’t completely new, as in Windows 10 news and interests Taskbar popup does the same thing. To see widgets in Windows 11, just click on the widget icon in the taskbar. An entertainment widget has new movies and TV shows. People who use Microsoft Family Safety parental control can make use of the Family widget.
Notification and Quick Settings
Microsoft has split the Windows 10 Action Center into two separate panels and tap targets. But, I prefer the single Action Center panel for notification and quick settings. There are some circled numbers that show how many notifications you have.
The quick settings panel by default shows buttons for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Airplane mode, Battery Saver, Focus Assist, etc. along with sliders for volume and screen brightness. There is a pencil icon that will let you customise what button will appear on the taskbar. You can add your own three icons on the taskbar.
Settings
One of the most irritating things in Windows 10 was inconsistency in windows settings and dialogues. But, in Windows 11 the inconsistency has entirely vanished. You can see Dark and Light mode settings in the personalization. It looks much better than that in Windows 10.
You can still change the sound settings of the system, but the new default set of sounds is smooth, quick and modern.
Layouts and Multitasking
Windows overshadowed macOS, as it will let us arrange app windows on-screen. The new layout option in Windows 11 gives you a choice of layouts with wider gaps. You can get this tool by moving the cursor over the maximize button- this seems a bit hidden.
Windows still offer multiple virtual desktops, which is useful for separating work, apps and websites from personal ones. You can also use a four-finger swipe to move back or forward via a trackpad. In Windows 11 you can also set different desktop backgrounds for each desktop.
Teams Chat Integration
Microsoft’s team chat and video conferencing app are in the centre of the taskbar by default. As virtual meetings have now become very common, so it is a great way of marketing their video-conferencing app. Microsoft teams chat is not very common but once if windows 11 becomes the dominant version, it will increase the use of teams chat.
Gaming and Technology
There’s always something new for PC gamers in windows updates. In Windows 11 there is the Xbox app built into Windows 11. It offers you to access the Xbox game pass collection of video games. The app also enables Xbox Cloud Gaming, Microsoft’s streaming game platform.
Windows 11 introduces Auto HDR and Direct storage for new gaming technology. Auto HDR will give you more clarity even with non-HDR games tiles. The second technology, direct storage, will bypass the CPU and allow graphics memory to load directly. This will speed up the game loading process.
Technical advances in Windows 11 includes Dynamic Refresh. It can decrease the high refresh rate of the screen when not needed and save the battery life of the laptop.
Changes brought by Windows 11
In windows 11 some features no longer fit in with the new approach. There were some convenient windowing options that were used rarely, are no more in windows 11. Like Aero Shake and Aero Peek are turned off by default, but you can re-enable them in settings. Lives tiles too, replaced with widgets. The Cortana AI voice assistant isn’t preinstalled on Windows 11 by default, but it’s available in the app store.
In Windows 11 first look we saw that Windows 11 brought a new slick look, useful tools, updated default apps, extra capabilities, and performance advances. Windows 11 has enhanced the features of Windows 10. We expect Microsoft to make some improvements so that the things fit in perfectly.
THANK YOU FOR READING: I hope this article was helpful, if it was then do let us know in the comments down below. Also, if you're interested in similar articles, then here are a few recommendations for you. How to install or upgrade to Windows 11? Can my PC upgrade to Windows 11? How to use Snap Layout in Windows 11?