In October 2021, Microsoft officially released Windows 11, and anyone with a compatible laptop or PC can upgrade right now. Here's all you need to know about the new operating system.
Microsoft's chances of introducing a successor to Windows 10 any time soon were slim at the start of 2021. That was the case until late May, when Satya Nadella, the company's CEO, began openly touting "the next generation of Windows."
Speculation about a possible 'Windows 11' quickly ramped up, especially after Microsoft announced a June 24 event. Microsoft has a few surprises up its sleeve despite a preview version leaking ahead of the grand unveiling.
Members of the Windows Insider Program were given access to early builds soon after, and Microsoft officially confirmed an initial release date of October 5, 2021.
The update hasn't been distributed to all eligible devices right away, according to the company's official blog post. Microsoft has increased availability to manage demand, with newer gear taking precedence. There is, however, an easy way to get Windows 11 right now for all supported devices.
The Surface Pro 8, Surface Laptop Studio, Surface Go 3, and Surface Pro X (2021) were among the first devices to run Windows 11 out of the box when it was introduced around the same time as Windows 11. However, in just a few months' time, there are already a plethora of options.
Here's everything you need to know about Windows 11 without further ado.
What's it like to use Windows 11?
Microsoft has preserved the same basic interface, but with a considerable overhaul, in order to avoid upsetting millions of people by making radical changes (as it did with Windows 8). There are also rounded corners everywhere you look, as well as a new centrally located Start Menu, which you may move to the side if you want.
There's a new widgets panel that can display weather, stocks, news, and other information, ostensibly replacing the old Start Menu's live tiles, as well as improved grouping and snapping of open Windows so you can concentrate on what you're doing.
The inclusion of gestures and a new on-screen keyboard that is much more akin to the one on your phone has greatly enhanced Windows 11 on tablets. You may also utilize the Amazon Appstore to download and run Android apps, but this feature is still being rolled out.
Despite the numerous cosmetic changes, most people should find Windows 11 to be a simple upgrade from Windows 10.
When was Windows 11 released?
• On October 5, 2021, the film will be released for the first time.
• Soon, all eligible Windows 10 PCs will be eligible for a free upgrade.
• Insider Preview Builds and ISO files are now available for download.
Windows 11 was released on October 5, 2021, as Microsoft announced a month earlier.
However, this is the official start date for OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) to release Windows 11 hardware. In a planned and methodical approach, 'in-market devices' that are eligible for the upgrade will be offered it later, according to the blog post.
However, a January 2022 official blog post stated that this was ahead of plan. Because Windows 11 is now in the "final phase of availability," all compatible devices should get the upgrade soon.
You don't have to wait for it to get on your laptop or computer. A final version is available to download from the Microsoft website if you're willing to install it manually. Learn more about how to get Windows 11 today in our separate tutorial. If you want to install it via a USB drive, this ISO file is the way to go.
What is the price of Windows 11?
• For qualifying PCs, it's free.
• The cost of new hardware is determined by the manufacturer.
One of the big worries was always going to be about cost, but the good news is that it's free for qualified PCs. This will go on indefinitely, possibly for the whole lifetime of Windows 11.
However, it isn't as simple as updating all Windows 10 computers to Windows 11; as detailed below, Microsoft has revised the hardware requirements for its new operating system.
Naturally, upgrading from Windows 10 isn't the only option for getting Windows 11. New laptops and PCs will come pre-installed with the operating system, eliminating the need to purchase a license individually. It's impossible to predict how much each company's hardware will cost, but anticipate it to be comparable to Windows 10 devices.
It's worth mentioning that you'll get a free upgrade to the same version of Windows you had on Windows 10. It's recommended to acquire Windows 10 Pro first if you want to upgrade from Windows 10 Home to Windows 11 Pro, for example. The price is $39.99 on the Softkeyworld website which is Authorized Education Partner & CSP Reseller.
Wasn't Windows 10 supposed to be the 'final' version of Windows?
Yes, Microsoft said that when it unveiled Windows 10. However, it appears that it has altered its mind. The business could have included these improvements in a Windows 10 update, but it chose not to mention it during the launch event, perhaps expecting that its customers would forget.
After a few weeks with Windows 11, it's evident that not much has changed.
Will Windows 11 run on my current PC or laptop?
A list of minimum hardware requirements has been released by Microsoft:
• A dual-core processor with a clock speed of 1GHz
• 4 GB of RAM
• storage capacity of 64 GB
• UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) with Secure Boot capability
• TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module)
• Graphics card that supports DirectX 12
• 720p or better resolution display larger than 9in
• A Microsoft account and access to the internet
Are you unsure whether your device is compatible? Microsoft has published an upgraded version of its 'PC Health Check' program to assist you in doing so. It can be downloaded from the bottom of the Windows 11 main page.
