The buzz is true. Windows 11 will soon hit the markets. And Microsoft’s Satya Nadella calls it “one of the most significant updates of Windows of the past decade.” The new operating system (OS) comes jazzed up with cool features and an amazing design that’s clean and uncluttered.
As of June, Microsoft released the Windows 11 preview builds for Windows Insiders in Dev Channel. The Beta Version is available for the public in July. New and compatible PCs with the brand new operating system (OS) will be available from the later part of 2021 and 2022.
If you are curious to try the Beta Version or download Windows 11 for your PC, Microsoft’s website lists out the minimum requirements to run the latest OS. This includes:
| Processor | 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with 2 or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or System on a Chip (SoC) |
| Memory | 4 GB RAM |
| Storage | 64 GB or larger storage device |
| System firmware | UEFI, Secure Boot capable |
| TPM | Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0 |
| Graphics card | DirectX 12 compatible graphics / WDDM 2.x |
|---|---|
| Display | >9” with HD Resolution (720p) |
| Internet connection | Microsoft account and internet connectivity required for setup for Windows 11 Home |
Windows 11 Features: What This New Update Has Instore For You
Here is a list of the latest and most enhanced features of Windows 11. Let’s take a look at them without further ado.
1 Simple, Elegant Design
Microsoft claims that it has simplified the design to offer the best user experience and inspire creativity. The first striking change that you’ll notice is the Start Menu’s placement: from the left corner, it is shifted to the center. The menu option includes pinned apps and recently opened files on OneDrive (both on smartphones and PCs). The taskbar is also present in the center and comes with new animations. The File Explorer comes with a new command bar, new context menus, and an overall new look.
2 Widgets
Similar to what’s already there in Windows 10 (News and Interests), widgets in Windows 11 will be a part of the interface. This AI-powered feature will display the news, weather updates, your recent photos, to-do list, and your calendar. In the new OS, there is a dedicated Widgets button which when clicked, appears on the left side of the screen displaying all the information you’re looking for at-a-glance.
3 Snap Layouts
Another cool feature in Windows 11 is Snap Layouts, where you can arrange the various windows you’re using in different layouts on the screen. What’s more? You can even save all those windows in that arrangement you created. This feature saves you a lot of time spent toggling between different windows. You can return to the saved patterns to continue working anytime.
4 Snap Groups
Snap Groups is nothing but all the window layouts you saved in Snap Layouts. You can find them in the taskbar for easy access. You can minimize or maximize them as a group and fire them up whenever you need them.
5 Visual Desktops
With Windows 11, you can easily create separate virtual desktops for each type of task you’re working on. Each of these virtual desktops can be customized with different wallpapers, so you can create one each for official work, personal use, gaming, and more. To access any of these virtual desktops, you just have to toggle between them. This is a macOS-like feature that’s now available in this latest Windows.
6 Android Apps
This a change all Windows have been waiting for – to have Android apps built into the OS natively via Microsoft Store. Using Windows 11, you can directly download Android apps onto your PC easily. Android apps will be located in the new Microsoft Store, but you have to download the Amazon Appstore to access all the apps. Some of the well-known apps include Netflix, TikTok, Pinterest, Disney Plus, and more. One disadvantage is that you won’t be able to access every Android app present in the Google Play Store.
7 Microsoft Teams
In this new OS, Microsoft will build its video chat platform Teams directly into the OS. This makes it easier for you to access the app for daily use. You can easily connect with others on Teams across Windows, Android, Mac, or iOS. The tool will appear in the taskbar, so with a quick click, you can launch the tool and use it for messaging, calling, video calling.
Here are the top features of the much-awaited Windows 11. If your system configuration matches the minimum specifications required, you can explore the new OS right away! Let us know your experience the latest Windows in the comments below.
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