The new Windows 11 operating system brings an overhauled UI with rounded corners and new design elements. This article goes through the major features and changes Microsoft made so far in Windows 11.
Last month, Microsoft finally unveiled the much-anticipated Windows 11 update. The new update comes with an updated UI, performance, and productivity improvements. Microsoft has also released the minimum system requirements for Windows 11 which includes Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 among other things, but the latter can be bypassed for now. Windows 11 will look familiar to those who followed Windows 10X development closely before its untimely demise. When Microsoft ditched Windows 10X, the Redmond giant said that it plans to bring elements of Windows 10X to Windows 10. While we have already taken a look at the first Windows 11 Insider Build, this article will provide a deeper insight into top Windows 11 features. One of the most noticeable change for someone booting up Windows 11 for the first time will be the desktop. Microsoft has taken the start menu and taskbar directly from Windows 10X and the firm noted that the change was targeted at tablet and touch users. Luckily, the Redmond giant is offering users an option to choose between a left or center aligned start menu which can been accessed from Settings > Personalization > Taskbar. However, do not celebrate too early as the company has taken away the ability to set it to the top or to the sides. Moving on to the start menu which has also been copied from Windows 10X, live tiles are gone. For better or worse, Microsoft has ditched live tiles on Windows 11 and the start menu now consists of pinned apps as well as a recommendation section that suggests to you documents and files based on your usage history. With the release of the second Windows 11 build, Microsoft also added the search bar at the top of the start menu. Unfortunately, it is not independent and switches immediately to Windows Search but it is there in case you are interested in using it. The company has also moved the app list and it is no longer visible on the start menu. Instead, you will need to click on the ‘All apps’ option to access the full list of installed apps. However, you can pin your favourite apps on the start menu and access them instantly, should you wish to do so. Another big change is the action center which has been split into two parts- Quick settings and notification area. The notification area will show the latest notifications along with calendar while Quick settings will give users easy access to setting such as WiFi, Bluetooth, Brightness and more. Above the Quick settings will sit media controls that will show up if you are playing video or audio. Media controls will support both first party apps like Edge and third-party apps like Spotify. With Windows 11, Microsoft is also bringing back widgets, albeit not like the ones in Windows 7. Currently, widgets are just an improved version of News and Interests which debuted for Windows 10 back in January of 2021. The widgets menu will show users weather, traffic patterns, to-do list, calendar, latest news and more. Widgets are not the only thing that is making a comeback. Microsoft is also including a new startup sound with Windows 11. The startup sound is something that many old Windows users can relate to and Microsoft has finally decided to include a brand new sound that is softer and a new soothing melody.
