It may have been the worse kept secret in the technology world, but the successor to Windows 10 is called, aptly, Windows 11, Microsoft has officially announced. The official launch was today, June 24th 2021.
The name leaked online some time ago and continues Microsoft’s recent tradition of naming Windows versions with numerals which started with Windows 7 in 2009.
When will it be available?
Early versions will be available to the Windows Insider Program as early as next week, but it won’t be available to grab for the general public until sometime towards the end of the year with most reporting sometime in the Autumn (Northern Hemisphere.)
At that time you can either upgrade to Windows 11 or devices will become available with Windows 11 pre-installed.
Is Windows 11 free?
The big question is, can I get Windows 11 for free? The answer is yes – providing you have Windows 10 running on a device that meets the minimum hardware specification. It is not clear as of yet whether those still running earlier versions of Windows will be able to get the free upgrade.
Minimum requirements?
The minimum requirements for Windows 11 are a jump from Windows 10 but remain relatively modest, with most computers purchased in the last 5-or-so years capable of surpassing easily enough.
The biggest change is that 32-bit devices are no longer supported.
– You will need a Dual-core processor with at least 1Ghz clock speed.
– A 64GB+ hard drive
– 4GB RAM
– 9-inch display
– 1366×768+ display
– DirectX12+ compatible graphics, either dedicated or on-board.
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When do I have to upgrade?
There’s plenty of time so there is no worry on that front. Microsoft announced the retirement date of Windows 10 unusually early, and it’s not until October 10th 2025, so another 4-and-a-bit years from the date of this article.
At that point Windows 10 stops getting important updates and you should be upgrading.
RIP Internet Explorer
It’s no shock that Microsoft’s aged Internet Browser, Internet Explorer, will not come included in Windows 11. Microsoft has been fazing it out for some time now and official support for it will end in 2022. Sites and services that still need Internet Explorer to work can still be accessed using Microsoft Edge’s IE Legacy mode.
No side docking for the Task Bar
That’s bad news for us, as we – and many others – always love to dock the Task Bar along the left side of the monitor screen. According to Microsoft, the new Task Bar can only go along the bottom of the screen. Dang.
A Start Button in the centre
The default position of the famous Start Button will now be smack bang in the centre of the Taskbar and the Start Menu has undergone a redesign, as you can see below.
Again you’ll be able to pin both apps and website shortcuts to the Start Menu for easy access. You’ll also be able to change the size of the icons from small, medium to large depending on preference (though big icons may be better for touchscreen users.)
But for those traditionalists who have grown up with the ever-present Start Button & Menu in the bottom left corner, worry not. You can move it back there if you so desire.
File Explorer, Control Panel et al. All still there
Microsoft has, thankfully, not really touched many of the tools we’re used to seeing and navigating. Control Panel, File Explorer and Device Manager and others will still be there and basically the same as they were previously save for some minor graphic alterations, as per below.
File Explorer is more or less the same as Windows 10.
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A New Windows Store
It seems Windows 11 is gearing up for the ever-growing popularity of apps. Lots of popular websites including social media sites are increasingly promoting their apps (as opposed to their traditional websites) more frequently, and as such Windows 11 will come with a brand-new Windows Store where you can grab those apps quickly and easily (at least according to Microsoft.)
Check out a shot of the new store below.
PCs can run Android Apps Too*
Microsoft has claimed users of Windows 11 can now run apps designed for Android devices directly from their PC or laptop. This is due to a partnership between Microsoft and Amazon and these Android apps can be downloaded via the Amazon App Store (through the Microsoft Store.)
So running TikTok from a PC will soon be a thing of the future, it seems.
*This feature is available only for PCs/laptops that come included with the Intel Bridge technology required to run the apps.
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Integrated Microsoft Teams
During the pandemic the popularity of Microsoft Teams surged. So it’s perhaps no surprise that Windows 11 has integrated it directly into the OS. Teams is now integrated into the taskbar, allowing users to start presenting or muting/unmuting directly at the click of a button on the taskbar without the need of opening the program onto the display.
Improved Battery Settings
Users of laptops can better analyse their battery level and what programs are using up your battery life, all with some handy bars and graphs for those inclined that way.
Windows 11 will be available to the public later this year and we’ll keep you informed.