Microsoft Windows 11 is officially here. Microsoft has announced Windows 11 at its much-hyped virtual event on Thursday. The new Windows version includes a new Start Menu and Taskbar, alongside widgets that will work with developer apps.
The live stream has begun on the Microsoft website with the company’s chief product officer Panos Panay on stage talking about the next generation of Windows. Windows 11 has a new Start menu and a centered taskbar will be a part of the revamped user interface.
Microsoft is also introducing Snap layouts to help users with multi-tasking on Windows 11. The new generation of Windows will also be more touch-friendly, according to the presentation. Teams integration is coming directly to Windows 11. Users will be able to video call anyone; it will not matter if the other user is on a different device, even a Mac.
Android apps will also be coming to Windows 11, according to the company.
Windows 11 will launch later this year, and it will be available for testing to Windows Insiders next week. The new operating system will be available as a free upgrade for Windows 10 users.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella on stage. "I'm excited by what we have shown you today. Throughout its history Windows has been a democratising force for the world."
Android apps are coming to Windows 11 with Microsoft Store. Looks like TikTok will be coming to Windows 11. Integrated apps will bring these apps to Windows.
Sarah Bond, Corporate VP of Xbox, is on stage to talk about gaming on Windows 11. Microsoft is promising superior graphics on Windows 11 with Auto HDR for gaming. Over 1000 games will be automatically enhanced on Windows 11 devices which support Auto HDR. Microsoft says top performing PCs will perform better thanks to direct storage on Windows 11. This kind of technology has also been used by Microsoft on Xbox.
Also Xbox game pass will be builty directly into Windows 11 with the Xbox app.
Widgets are coming to Windows 11 as well. Microsoft has also redesigned the entertainment section in the official Microsoft Store to highlight all the movies, shows available.
Windows 11 will work better in touch mode as well, especially when using the Surface in a tablet more. With Windows 11, Microsoft is enabling Haptics to make using the pen easier.
Teams integration is coming directly to Windows 11. Users will be able to call anyone, video call anyone; it will not matter if the other user is on a different device, even a Mac.
Vertical tabs to make it easier to see all those tabs you had open on Edge browser. Different desktops for all the different work, personal needs that a user might have.
Two apps can be used side-by-side. Windows 11 is also more touch friendly. Snap layouts lets users choose from different layouts when opening multiple apps on Windows 11. Further Windows will remember the layouts you choose and keep in mind for later. Snap Groups will remember the apps you were using before an email or call disrupted your work.
The Start Menu has moved to the centre as we saw in the leaks. Windows 11 feels like a complete design overhaul. And yes it has widgets too. The dock bar at the bottom feels very much like we what get on Macs.
Windows 11 is the name. And we're getting a video preview of what the next generation of Windows will look like.
Windows 11 is the name. And we're getting a video preview of what the next generation of Windows will look like.
Microsoft's chief product officer Panos Panay on stage. He's talking the history of Windows, how it has been in our lives for 35 years. Windows show feel open, connected, he says.
Microsoft's big Windows 11 launch event starts at 8:30 pm IST. You can watch the live coverage by tuning into the company's official website. Stay tuned for more coverage by following our live blog, as we dig deeper into all the major announcements.
Last month, Microsoft announced that it cancelled Windows 10X, its light version of Windows 10X. The now-defunct operating system was supposed to take on Google's Chrome OS. "Instead of bringing a product called Windows 10X to market in 2021 like we originally intended, we are leveraging learnings from our journey thus far and accelerating the integration of key foundational 10X technology into other parts of Windows and products at the company,” said John Cable, head of Windows servicing and delivery, in a blog post. The latest leak points out that Microsoft will bring some visual elements that were part of Windows 10X to Windows 11.
The next version of Windows needs apps. Microsoft has been struggling with apps on the Windows Store. The leaked Windows 11 build does not give us a peek into the all-new Windows store we have been waiting to see, but the company has been rumoured to be working on the revamped app store. In fact, Microsoft is holding another event post the main launch showcase where it might reveal how developers can develop apps on Windows 11.
According to leaks, the next generation of Windows has a completely new start menu, home screen and startup sound. The Start menu now has a centred design and is more simplified. Windows 11 will also likely mean the end of the Live Tiles format. Standard icons that show pinned apps, even recommended apps and files are part of the Start Menu.
The livestream will be on the Microsoft website. There is no livestream on YouTube for those who were wondering. You can go to the following link https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/event to watch the event.
Everyone wants to know whether or not Windows 11 be a free upgrade? We don't know yet. But it will likely be a free upgrade. If we recall the first consumer version of Windows 10 was announced as a free upgrade. The move allowed Windows 7 and Windows 8 users were able to upgrade to Windows 10 at no extra cost, but Microsoft put a one year time limit on the free upgrade.