When Windows 10 was launched back in 2015, Microsoft stated that this would be the last major release with a distinct version number, as Windows would become more of a service receiving constant minor updates. Fast forward to 2021, and Microsoft has other plans for Windows and its ecosystem. Windows 11 was announced in June 2021, and now it’s time for the official release. Let’s see what Windows 11 brings to the table.
Getting Windows 11:
After the announcement of the launch of Windows 11, there was a lot of fuss about the devices that could support it. Windows 11 officially requires a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0, UEFI, and Secure Boot in order to run on a machine, and if yours doesn’t meet those requirements, you will not be able to install it. The easiest way to check whether your hardware is eligible is by installing Microsoft’s own PC Health Check application.
If you haven’t already received an alert prompting you to update, and your PC is compatible with Windows 11, you can use the Windows 11 Installation Assistant Tool to download and install the update onto your system. This will not erase any of your personal files and is similar to an OTA (over-the-air) update – however, it’s always advisable to have backups. Similarly, you can create a bootable USB drive or a disk image to perform a clean install.
Windows 11 will be a free upgrade for people coming from Windows 10. Retail pricing for people with custom-built PCs has not been revealed yet. The installation process has been given a simple and minimalist redesign, which I personally found quite pleasant. Microsoft’s official website showcases the system requirements for Windows 11: a 1GHz CPU or faster, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of free storage, a high definition (720p) display that is greater than 9 inches diagonally and supports 8 bits per colour channel, a GPU that is compatible with DirectX 12 or later with a WDDM 2.0 driver, and of course, the above-mentioned TPM 2.0 security chip, UEFI, and Secure Boot capability.
Windows 11: Design and interface
The Windows taskbar with a Start button in the bottom left corner is now familiar to millions of PC users. However, this time around, Microsoft has changed that. The company says “With Start, we’ve put you and your content at the centre.”
Yes, the Start button is now located roughly in the centre of the taskbar. It took me some time to get used to the fact that it is not in the lower-left corner of my screen anymore. My muscle memory almost always signalled me to …….
Source: https://gadgets.ndtv.com/laptops/reviews/windows-11-review-2590727