Windows 11 is finally live – here’s what it brings to the table for businesses.
Microsoft has now begun the process of rolling out Windows 11 to compatible devices, a large proportion of which will be used for work-related activities. Beyond a sleek and curvaceous aesthetic, reorganized start menu and new-look taskbar, Windows 11 also offers a number of new features that will catch the eye of business users in particular. The new OS has clearly been optimized for hybrid working, whereby employees split their time between the home and office, with new options designed to allow users to multitask and pick up where they left off. According to Microsoft, Windows 11 also sets a new benchmark for performance and security, which will help businesses optimize for productivity and shield employees against an ever-changing roster of cyberthreats. “Windows is a driving force for innovation. It’s an enduring platform for each one of us to create. And it’s home for over a billion people to do their jobs, live their dreams and connect with the people they love,” said Panos Panay, Chief Product Office at Microsoft. “With the shift to hybrid work, where work is constantly changing, we understand the importance of an operating system that is flexible, consistent, secure and works how you do.” However, Windows 11 is also likely to create a few headaches for businesses too. The confusion surrounding hardware requirements is yet to be fully resolved, for example, and it looks like users are already encountering a few bugs at launch, so businesses will need to think carefully about when to pull the trigger on Windows 11. One of Microsoft’s main focuses in the run-up to the Windows 11 launch has been the new level of interoperability with collaboration platform Teams, which has been built into the core of the new OS (and has also received a Windows 11-flavored visual overhaul). In Windows 11, users can launch directly into Teams chats and meetings with a single click or touch, via an icon that takes a front-and-center position in the taskbar. The new system tray also hosts a mute button for easy access, addressing one of the most common pandemic faux pas. Microsoft has also introduced a series of upgrades designed to help users maximize productivity at work. For example, Windows 11 offers a new feature called Snap Layouts, which gives users a greater range of orientation options when multitasking across multiple windows or applications. When reconnecting a laptop or tablet to an external monitor, meanwhile, a feature called Snap Groups can be used to restore all windows to their previous location and orientation, making it easy to jump straight back in.
