Windows11

According to the first Windows 11 Insider Preview, Microsoft's future operating system will be much more than a simple update to Windows 10. With a centered taskbar and a new Start menu, among other improvements, Microsoft is radically changing the way many components of Windows work. But it's still Windows, so everything operates the same way it always has. There's Micros' productivity-focused approach.

Windows 11 Insider Preview

The Windows 11 Insider Preview, which began trickling out on Monday, appears to be quite similar to the leaked build we covered a few weeks ago. The centered and icon-filled taskbar is still clearly Mac-like; the rounded window corners give off a somewhat more polished

impression; and the new Start menu will undoubtedly be divisive. It has pinned app shortcuts at the top.

When Microsoft released the first Insider version of Windows 11 earlier today, it further complicated an already perplexing issue. To install the preview, you don't require a specific CPU or a TPM 2.0 chip, as you may have seen. Microsoft's motivations for doing so are described in a new blog post, and it boils down to the company's need to learn more about what systems are capable of running Windows 11.

"By releasing preview builds to the different systems in our Windows Insider Program, we will gain a more thorough understanding of how Windows 11 operates across CPU types, influencing any future adjustments we should make to our minimum system requirements," the firm added.

Microsoft said its "confident" PCs with 8th-generation Intel and AMD Zen 2 processors will fulfill the Windows 11 security, reliability, and compatibility standards. The business intends to pay particular attention to people who test the OS on computers with 7th-generation Intel and AMD Zen 1 CPUs to determine if some of the models in those families match the company's requirements.

Windows 11 download: The upgrade will be free, and here's how to get it

If you're already using Windows 10, you'll be able to upgrade for free to Windows 11, and you can try out an early version right now. To determine if your PC will be able to run Microsoft's new operating system, use the PC Health Check program.

Windows 11 is coming, and if you're already using Windows 10, you'll be able to upgrade for free to Microsoft's overhauled operating system. (Here's where you can learn everything you need to know about Windows 11.) If your PC matches the basic criteria, you'll be able to update to Windows 11 in the same way you do with Windows 10 once it launches during the holiday season of 2021.(While we don't have an official release date yet, Microsoft has hinted that it might happen as early as October.)

If you're a Windows Insider and can't wait for the final release, you can download the first Windows 11 Insider Preview build today and try out some of the new features, including widgets, snap layouts, virtual desktops, and the new Microsoft Store. How to install 11

To begin, check Microsoft's website to verify if your current Windows 10 PC qualifies for the free upgrade to Windows 11. Additionally, if you purchase a new computer between now and the general release, you will be eligible for the free upgrade.

Windows 11: How to see if your PC is compatible

If you haven't yet upgraded to Windows 10, don't worry: there is still a way to get Windows 10 for free. It's a good idea to make the transition now to get your PC ready for the Windows 11 update.

Read more: Android apps coming to Windows 11: Everything we know right now

How to download the Windows 11 Insider Preview build

You can now download the first Insider Preview build of Windows 11 if you're a part of the Windows Insider Program (you can sign up for free right now). It's worth noting, though, that beta versions, especially early ones like this, are notoriously buggy. You should never install a beta on your primary device; instead, if you have one, you should install it on a tester device. Until the most part, it's preferable to wait for the public beta in July, or even better, the full release later in the year. This first build also doesn't include all of the new features that will be included in the final release.

Still want to give it a shot? Here's how to do it.

1. Verify that your device is running a licensed version of Windows 10 and that you are an administrator on it. If you haven't already, sign up for the Windows Insider Program. Alternatively, log in to your Windows Insider account. Start your flight by pressing the Start button.

2. Select Update & Security > Windows Insider Program from the Settings menu. To begin, click the Get Started button.

3. Select + to connect the Microsoft account you registered with and continue under Pick an account to get started.

4. Follow the prompts to select the Insider Preview build experience and channel you wish to use: Dev (for developers), Beta (for early adopters), or Release Preview (for people who want to obtain the latest version right before it's broadly released). This build will only be available in the Dev channel.

5. Read the Privacy Statement and Terms & Conditions before clicking Confirm. Click the Restart Now button.

6. Check your data settings after resuming to ensure you may download preview builds. To do so, navigate to Settings > Privacy > Diagnostics & feedback and toggle the Optional Diagnostic Data option to On.

7. Select Update & Security > Windows Update from the Settings menu. Check for updates by clicking the Check for updates button. Based on your settings, you should see the most recent Insider Preview build.

Your device should then update as it would with any other Windows update, and you should be ready to go.

How to download Windows 11 once it's generally available

When Windows 11 is released this fall to all Windows users with compatible PCs, you'll download it just like any other new version of Windows. The majority of people will go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and check for updates. You'll see Feature update to Windows 11 if it's available. Install by clicking the Download button.

Windows 11 has a more streamlined style that includes pastel colors, softer corners, a new startup sound, and a more Mac-like appearance. The Windows Start menu has been relocated to the center of the screen, with app icons grouped in the center next to it. You'll find a slew of new desktop features, including widgets that provide information at a glance and simplified virtual desktop construction. Android apps will also be incorporated into Windows and available for download from the Microsoft Store. (Learn about all of Windows 11's best features and how to use them.)

Now playing: Windows 11: Hands-on with an early build

The upgrade is the first significant modification to Microsoft's operating system since the debut of Windows 10 in 2015. For the past year, there have been rumors of a significant Windows redesign. On May 25, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella claimed that the company was developing "one of the most significant updates of Windows in the previous decade," confirming that a major shift was on the way for the OS's 1.3 billion users in 2021. As purported photos of Windows 11 spread in mid-June, Microsoft discreetly stated that it would discontinue support for Windows 10 in 2025.

Check out everything we wished for in Windows 11 but didn't get, as well as all of the major differences between Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Microsoft's Windows 11 announcement: All the free upgrades coming this fall

Windows 11, Microsoft's next major operating system, is designed to function with as many apps as possible. Xbox technologies and Android apps will also be included.

These days, you have to select between various factions when purchasing a computer or smartphone. There's Apple world, which includes the Mac computer, iPhones, and iPads, all of which are meant to work together to make it as simple as possible to share files, video chat, and watch TV. There's also Google, whose Android operating system is used on a wide range of phones, tablets, and laptops. Microsoft, on the other hand, intends to break the mold with Windows 11.

The software behemoth announced Thursday that Windows 10 will be available as a free upgrade this autumn, with a slew of new features that appear to position Microsoft as the firm whose products work with those from Apple, Google, and pretty much anyone else.

For example, the business is expanding its support for the Android app, making it easier for customers to run phone apps on their computers. Microsoft is integrating its Teams software into Windows in the same manner that Apple's FaceTime is integrated into Macs, with the exception that Microsoft does not want it to be exclusive. Microsoft Teams already has a Mac, iPhone, and Android app. (Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella even told a reporter that he'd welcome FaceTime on Microsoft machines.)

Watch this: Microsoft's Windows 11 event: Every single feature they…

"We have a fresh sense of Windows' place in the world with Windows 11," Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said during the launch event on Thursday. "The world today need a more open platform, one that permits apps to become platforms in and of themselves. Windows is a platform on which things that are larger than Windows, such as the web, can be born."

Microsoft's decision to upgrade Windows comes at a time when computer demand is at an all-time high. The pandemic has upended billions of lives in the last year, forcing many people to work from home. As a result, many of them required new computers, improved internet connections, and peripherals such as huge displays in order to display their work. Workers are clamoring for hybrid work options as vaccines allow some countries to reopen, effectively making their home office experience permanent.

For computer firms, this has resulted in a surge in demand, which has contributed to chip and other supply bottlenecks across the industry. Nonetheless, analysts predict that laptop and desktop computer sales will reach new highs this year.

All of the details we discovered during Microsoft's announcement on Thursday are included below.

Windows 11 will be a free download for Windows 10 users this holiday

[PT 12:03 a.m.]

Although Windows 11 is a significant update for Microsoft-powered devices, the company has stated that it will be a free update for existing customers when it is released this holiday season.

Additionally, Microsoft stated that before the launch of Windows 11, firms will begin offering "Windows 11-ready PCs."

Windows 11 will be free to download for existing Windows 10 users

Teams is taking on Apple's FaceTime and App Store

[Updated at 11:47 a.m. PT]

One of the most common criticisms of FaceTime is that it is only compatible with Apple devices. Even though Apple stated that Android and Windows users would be able to join FaceTime calls this autumn, it's not like they'll have full access to the service.

Microsoft hopes that its Teams software will provide the answer. The first way it will accomplish this is by integrating Teams into the Windows 11 taskbar, eliminating the need to install Teams separately. Teams is already available on Apple and Android smartphones, which goes a long way toward making Teams more competitive.

Windows 11 guns for Apple FaceTime with Microsoft's beefed-up Teams video calls

Not only that, but Microsoft also announced that on its Microsoft Store for Windows 11, developers will be able to retain all of the money they earn, rather than the industry usual of charging up to a 30% fee for app purchases.

Developers can use any commerce system they like, according to Google, which is a change from Apple and Google's policy of mandating app developers to use their payments processing service, which deducts their fee automatically.

Microsoft unveils new Microsoft Store for Windows 11; lets developers keep all the money

Microsoft is making your computer more like an Xbox

[Updated at 11:38 a.m. PT]

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella recently stated that the company is "all in" on gaming. Microsoft is incorporating features like "Auto HDR," which employs artificial intelligence to improve the images in a video game, into Windows 11. During the event, Xbox ecosystem exec Sarah Bond said, "The change is striking."

Windows 11 adds Xbox tech for better gaming

Windows 11 is official

[PT 11:10 a.m.]

Windows 11 (the name is real!) has been formally announced by Microsoft. There are a slew of new features, including a Mac-like interface, Microsoft Teams, which works similarly to Apple's FaceTime, and widgets.

Microsoft Windows 11 is here

Microsoft Windows 11 adds Widgets to help surface content that matters to you

Microsoft will require an internet connection and account to activate Windows 11 Home

Android apps coming to Windows 11

Microsoft moves Start button to the center of the screen

Android apps coming to Windows 11: Everything we know right now

Windows 11 starts out buggy

[PT 11:05 a.m.]

Microsoft has a long history with live demonstrations. Microsoft CEO Bill Gates famously crashed during a live demo of Windows 98. Microsoft now appears to be experiencing the issue once more. Microsoft's livestream went down just before the corporation was about to reveal the name of its new Windows 11 software.

Microsoft's Windows 11 event marred by buffering and streaming disruptions

About to begin

[10:53 a.m. PT]

Microsoft's big event is about to begin. In the meantime you can enjoy that apparently someone found reference to the name Windows 11 in one of Microsoft's code bases in the Github service it runs, according to Bleeping Computer. So, there you have it. But honestly, with all the speculation about the name and all the hints, if Microsoft doesn't call this Windows 11, most people will probably think the last few weeks were an elaborate prank by the company's marketing team.

With Windows 11, Microsoft is firing back at Apple

Apple has always sold itself as the anti-Microsoft. Now Windows 11 is the anti-Apple.

On the surface, Microsoft's Windows 11 appears to be a respectable update to the operating system software that runs the majority of the world's computers. The most noticeable difference in Windows 11 is its new streamlined appearance, which is reminiscent of smartphones and tablets. Microsoft has also developed tools to assist folks with the new methods of working that we've all learnt. Built-in video chat software, technology to improve the look of video games, and more modern-looking buttons and windows for controlling apps and sorting papers are all included.

But what it doesn't do will be its most essential feature. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said his business is expanding its technology to operate with as many devices as possible after launching Windows 11 last week, including software for competing Google Android-powered smartphones.

"Today, the world requires a more open platform — one that permits apps to function as platforms in and of themselves," he remarked. "Windows is a platform that can give birth to things that are bigger than Windows."

He hammered home the argument by urging Google to port its app store to Windows. He also announced that developers will be able to sell apps on the Microsoft Store for little to no commission, a significant departure from Apple's and Google's 15 percent minimum take, which has sparked lawsuits and antitrust investigations around the world. He also stated that Apple's FaceTime and other technologies would be welcome on Windows 11 and in the Microsoft Store.

"We want to break through the walls that exist today," he stated, "and enable true choice and connection." "Rather than the other way around, operating systems and devices should mold to our demands."

Microsoft's decision with Windows 11 is the latest in a series of seismic shifts for the world's most valuable software corporation. Microsoft's attempts to destroy competitors with its Windows software led to a federal judge declaring it a monopoly two decades ago. Individuals across the IT landscape nicknamed Microsoft M$ in chatrooms for what they regarded as the business putting profit before the interests of people who used its products because of its sharp-elbowed tactics and problem-prone software.

Competitors also joined in. Google's nascent search engine was advertised with the corporate credo "Don't be Evil" in the early 2000s. In 2005, when Apple launched its "Get a Mac" campaign to promote its computers, it portrayed the Microsoft-powered PC as a clumsy, arrogant fool.

"The reality is, you're selling like hotcakes right now, and I've got to get my word out, so I'm doing a little buzz marketing for good old PC, the only computer you'll ever need," said PC, played by John Hodgman, who then holds up placards that read "Amazing!" and "Totally cool!"

Watch the video:https://youtu.be/kU49FQa1T4k

Things, however, have altered since then. In 2015, Google replaced its famed "Don't be evil" company credo with "Do the right thing." (Perhaps not coincidentally, the search engine behemoth is now under investigation for antitrust violations.) And complaints from big partners like Tinder dating app maker IAC, music provider Spotify, and Fortnite developer Epic Games have sparked litigation and regulatory probes in Europe and the United States, fueled by Apple's domineering approach to the iPhone and its App Store.

Read more: Windows 11: These are the best new features, and how to use them

Meanwhile, Nadella's been instituting changes at Microsoft since he was named CEO in 2014. He's pushed Microsoft to soften its approach with partners, competitors and even within its own divisions. It's about "the renaissance as much as about just sort of fixing something that's broken," Nadella told CNET in 2018.

Now, with Windows 11, Microsoft sees an opportunity to stand out from the crowd, rather than merely compete. And it'll be coming quick, with the launch planned for later this year after a public beta test period this summer.

"Now is the time," Maribel Lopez, a Lopez Research analyst, said. For a long time, Nadella has assured developers that Microsoft is more open, easier to develop on, and still a platform with possibility, despite the fact that hundreds of millions of PCs are sold each year. Even Microsoft's largest stumbling block, the lack of a smartphone operating system, is dissipating as mobile chips power more PCs and the lines between them blur.

That's not to say Microsoft has an easy road ahead of it. Apple has two popular platforms in iOS and MacOS, despite the company's efforts to make its single operating system more developer-friendly.

"You can't take Apple lightly," Lopez said, noting that there's a "war" going on for the future of tech.

The next Windows

Microsoft's stated corporate aim in the 1990s, when consumers were buying their first desktop computers and connecting to the internet for the first time, was to "place a computer on every desk and in every home." By 2015, it had mostly succeeded — and the groundwork had even contributed to putting a computer in everyone's pocket. (However, despite Microsoft's best efforts, the devices lacked a Windows logo.)

So, what are your options now? Microsoft's goal, according to Nadella, is to "empower every person and every organization on the earth to achieve more." Microsoft's fixation with Windows came to an end as a result of this mentality, and it became more of a firm whose products help other companies' products run.

However, the old Microsoft did not completely vanish. Analysts believe Nadella's jabs at Apple during his Windows 11 launch speech were more than just a dig at Microsoft's archrival. When Apple co-founder Steve Jobs initially showed off the iPhone in 2007, his tone wasn't cheerful, and he wasn't contemptuous like previous CEO Steve Ballmer. Nadella's tone was solemn.

"He's attempting to breach the veil," said Patrick Moorhead of Moor Insights & Strategy, alluding to Apple's status as the tech industry's inventive cool child. "Do you have any more chances to pierce the veil?"

Microsoft has put a lot of effort into making ensuring that its Office productivity apps, Teams chat software, and other programs work well on iPhones, iPads, and Macs, according to Moorhead. Apple, on the other hand, hasn't updated iTunes on Windows in years and hasn't even made programs like FaceTime available for download.

Microsoft declined to make Nadella available for an interview to discuss the motivations behind his speech. Whatever his reasons, Nadella's move showed that beneath Microsoft's cool-by-being-uncool veneer, it still has that monopoly-making cutthroat business sense.

"I can see why they envy Apple -- everyone bows down to that company like it's a religious talisman," said Endpoint Technologies Associates analyst Roger Kay.

Read more: Windows 11 vs. Windows 10: What's the Difference?

However, slamming Apple may not be enough to change people's minds. Windows was used by more than nine out of ten computers on the planet in 2001. According to StatCounter, it's now closer to seven out of ten.

So while Nadella may wish to present Windows 11 as the anti-Apple, Microsoft's influence these days is primarily limited to Windows users. And those folks will either wait until their company's IT team allows them to download the free Windows 11 update when it is released this fall, or they will download it themselves.

"Microsoft is only competing with itself," Kay explained. "No one else seems to care."

If that wasn't enough, Microsoft is integrating its Teams software inside Windows in a similar way to how Apple has integrated FaceTime into its devices. With the way it's opening up Windows, however, it's clear that Microsoft wants to carve out its own brand.

In that Windows 11 speech, Nadella added, "We're building for the next decade and beyond." "This is the first version of Windows in a new age."

Microsoft prepares Windows 11 for a post-pandemic world

The tech giant is offering its first major Windows update in six years on Thursday. Here's why.

The coronavirus has permanently altered our way of life and work. It will soon have changed our devices as well. Microsoft is expected to introduce the next significant iteration of its Windows software on Thursday, along with new features intended for modern life.

After six years, the new program, which is likely to be called Windows 11, will receive the standard improvements. It'll have a fresh design, according to early leaks, with more subtle pastel-like color palettes, softened corners, and breezy alert noises. It will contain mini widget programs that will tell you the weather or track a package that has been dispatched.

Its famous start menu, which is usually tucked away on the left side of the task bar at the bottom of the screen, will be moved to the center, with app icons arranged in the center next to it, as if inspired by a smartphone, tablet, or Apple Mac computer.

Watch live: How to watch the Microsoft Windows 11 announcement live as it happens Thursday June 24 at 11 a.m. ET

Watch this: Microsoft, please fix these problems with Windows. Please.

The most significant alterations, though, will occur behind the hood. Microsoft is likely to remodel Windows laptops for a new future in which individuals don't just work in offices anymore and may work on their personal computers while they're at home.

Last month, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella teased app developers about the upcoming Windows OS, mentioning the tone the upgrade will set. He stated, "When stores closed, you helped us envision where mankind can go and what we can do, transcending time and even geography — and it's just the beginning."

It may seem absurd to believe that a piece of software on a computer might change our life, but because to the very successful vaccines being injected into arms around the world, people are looking to the future in greater numbers.

Read more: about the features we're hoping to see in Windows 11

In some nations, vaccinated people are already visiting Disneyland, flying on planes, and attending concerts. Meanwhile, companies are discovering that their employees do not necessarily want to return to the office and are increasingly pushing for more flexible arrangements.

Microsoft's Windows may play a role in this. The business has spent the last few years developing technologies such as timeline, which allows users to switch to another computer and quickly open all of the documents and windows they were working on previously. Microsoft may discover possibilities in the new world to market those types of services for those who use computers at work and at home.

And there's a growing body of evidence that they are. Despite chip and other supply bottlenecks across the IT industry, researchers predict that this year's laptop and desktop computer sales will be the greatest ever.

All the rumors: Everything we know about Windows 11 so far

With that in mind, Microsoft's decision to portray Windows 11 as a major upgrade may help the industry respond to those trends with new computer designs that showcase Windows 11's fresh look and work-from-anywhere capabilities.

"Years ago, making work and home computers operate better together was a 'oh, that's a lovely notion.' It's now something that will genuinely be useful "Technalysis Research analyst Bob O'Donnell agreed. "If there's one thing the pandemic has taught us, it's that the personal computer plays a critical part in people's work and personal life."

Needed changes

Microsoft isn't going to just redesign Windows, throw a party, and declare victory. Long-standing concerns about the company's computers are also anticipated to be addressed.

For example, we at CNET hope that Microsoft fixes its Settings tool, which competes with another software called Control Panel for changing Windows computer functions. There are two of them, to be precise. It's infuriating.

Others who have been using Windows for a long time have voiced anticipation that Microsoft will modify the way their computers handle software updates, which have traditionally been a tedious and painful procedure.

"It's 2021; security fixes and updates shouldn't take 20 minutes," said Carolina Milanesi, a Creative Strategies analyst. "On the Mac, iPad, or even iPhone, you don't experience the same anguish."

It remains to be seen whether Microsoft will take advantage of the opportunity to address some of the admittedly nerdy long-standing grievances. In any case, the firm is confident that the software will live up to the anticipation.

"This is just the Start," Microsoft tweeted shortly after a version of its Windows 11 software leaked online.

On June 23, 2021, at 5:00 a.m. PT, this article was first published.

Windows 11 looks a little different. Here's what's changing

Microsoft's new operating system has a more Mac-like look. Here's everything new coming to your PC.

Windows 11 is the latest version of Microsoft's operating system, featuring a fresh new look and several new functions. Last week, Microsoft held a virtual event to promote the new PC-powering software (here's everything Microsoft said). The Windows 11 beta will be available in July, but for the time being, the new operating system is only available as an Insider Preview build, which you can get here.

Windows 11 has a new streamlined style that is more Mac-like in appearance, with pastel-like hues and softened corners. The Windows Start menu has been relocated to the center of the screen, with app icons grouped in the center next to it. You'll also find widgets that provide weather, stock, and news updates, among other things.

Watch this: Windows 11: Top new features in 2021

Through Amazon's app store (here's all we know about that), Android apps will run natively on Windows for the first time.

Snap Groups — groups of the apps you're using at the same time that sit in the taskbar and can come up or be minimized at the same time for simpler task switching — are also part of the new system. You may also set up virtual desktops in a Mac-like fashion, allowing you to switch between many desktops at once for personal, work, education, or gaming purposes. Microsoft Teams will be integrated into Windows 11 and will function similarly to FaceTime.

Windows 11 is the first major update to Microsoft's operating system since the release of Windows 10 in 2015. For the past year, there have been rumors of a significant Windows redesign. On May 25, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella claimed that the company was developing "one of the most significant updates of Windows in the previous decade," confirming that a major shift was on the way for the OS's 1.3 billion users in 2021. As purported photos of Windows 11 surfaced in mid-June, Microsoft discreetly revealed that it would discontinue support for Windows 10 in 2025 (here's what that implies for Windows 10 customers).

The timing of Microsoft's decision to upgrade Windows is not coincidental. As the epidemic wreaked havoc on billions of lives, pushing many people into lockdowns and huge remote work experiments, PC sales have surged in the last year. While such initiatives mainly succeeded, and productivity in the United States increased as a result of people working from home, it turned out that many people required new computers to do so. As a result, PC sales have rebounded so dramatically that many computer parts are now scarce. Analysts predict that if it weren't for supply bottlenecks in the IT industry, desktop and notebook computer sales would be at all-time highs this year.

A vertical taskbar option

While you may move the taskbar in Windows 10 to the left or right edge of the screen in a vertical position, the end result is typically a bit cluttered in terms of the user interface. We were hoped that this feature would still be available in Windows 11, perhaps with some improvements. Microsoft appears to have removed the option, so you'll have to maintain the taskbar at the bottom of the screen.

Computational videography for webcams

With so many individuals moving to remote or hybrid jobs, having a good webcam experience is critical for all those Zoom and Teams calls. Computational image processing is already included in the iPhone 12 Pro and latest Google Pixel phones to increase image quality. We had hoped to see this capability for cameras in Windows 11, which would have given PCs an advantage against the new M1 Macs, but no such luck.

Watch this: Windows 11: Top new features in 2021

Faster Windows updates

Windows 10 was Microsoft's first attempt to deliver Windows as a service, complete with automatic upgrades, which is ideal for keeping machines secure. These changes, however, can be slow. We'd want to see a more similar approach in Windows 11 to Google's Chrome OS, where the upgrade takes place in a separate partition and is completed in the background. However, it appears that upgrading to Windows 11 once it is released will be similar to upgrading to Windows 10.

With Windows 11, Microsoft is firing back at Apple

Apple has always sold itself as the anti-Microsoft. Now Windows 11 is the anti-Apple.

Windows 11: Features, beta download, compatibility, price and more explained

Windows 11 is coming. Here are all of the new features and other details about Microsoft's big update you need to know.

It's official: Windows 11 will be released soon. On June 24, Microsoft held a virtual event to announce "the next generation of Windows," which includes significant changes to the long-running operating system, including its first name change in six years. The news comes only days after Microsoft released the latest version of Windows 10, the May 2021 upgrade (also known as version 21H1).

Watch this: Windows 11: Top new features in 2021

The ability to download and run Android apps on your Windows PC, as well as upgrades to Microsoft Teams, the Start menu, and the overall look of the software, which is more sleek and Mac-like in design, are all included in Windows 11. (Here's a list of all of our favorite new Windows 11 features, along with instructions on how to use them.)

Here's everything we know about Windows 11 so far, including the price, compatibility, release date, beta download instructions, new features, and more.

What new features does Windows 11 include?

Here are a few of the standout new features in Windows 11:

A new, more Mac-like interface.The Start menu and Taskbar are centered in Windows 11, which has a clean appearance with rounded corners, pastel colors, and a centered Start menu.

Integrated Android apps.Android apps will be available in Windows 11 via the Amazon Appstore and will be installable from the new Microsoft Store. (You could get Android apps on Windows 10 in a variety of ways before, including if you had a Samsung Galaxy phone, but this will make it native.)

Widgets.While they've been around for a while (remember desktop gadgets on Windows Vista?), including in a recent Windows 10 update, you can now access widgets directly from the Taskbar and personalize them to see whatever you'd like.

Microsoft Teams integration.Teams is getting a face-lift and will be integrated directly into the Windows 11 Taskbar, making it easier to access (and a bit more like Apple's FaceTime). You'll be able to access Teams from Windows, Mac, Android or iOS.

Xbox tech for better gaming. Windows 11 will get certain features found in Xbox consoles, like Auto HDR and DirectStorage, to improve gaming on your Windows PC.

Better virtual desktop support.Windows 11 will let you set up virtual desktops in a way that's more similar to MacOS, toggling between multiple desktops for personal, work, school or gaming use.

Easier transition from monitor to laptop, and better multitasking.Snap Groups and Snap Layouts are new features in the new OS, which are groups of apps you're using at the same time that sit in the Taskbar and can show up or be dismissed at the same time for simpler job switching. They also make it easier to plug and unplug from a display without losing track of where your open windows are.

Images of Windows 11 were leaked about a week before the event, so we had an idea of some features ahead of time.

When is the Windows 11 release date?

For those in the Windows Insider Program, an Insider Preview build is now available for download, and a public beta will be available in July (here's how to get the Windows 11 beta). According to Microsoft, it will begin rolling out to all compatible PCs and new PCs during the holiday season of 2021, and will continue through 2022. Several signs, however, imply that Windows 11 could be released as early as October.

Will my computer be compatible with Windows 11?

Visit Microsoft's website for a list of prerequisites to discover if your current Windows 10 PC qualifies for the free upgrade to Windows 11.

Microsoft originally advised users to use the PC Health Check software to see if their PCs were compatible. However, several users complained that it didn't provide enough information about why a device wasn't compatible. Microsoft announced in a blog post on June 28 that it was "temporarily deleting the program" to remedy the problem, but that it would be back before the fall Windows 11 release.(When it does come back, we'll have detailed instructions on how to utilize the PC Health Check app and what information it will provide.) Meanwhile, here's how to test certain hardware compatibility with Windows 11 without having to use the tool.)

If you purchase a new computer between now and the general release, you will be eligible for the free upgrade.

How can I download Windows 11 once it's available?

When Windows 11 is released to the public, you'll be able to download it in the same manner you would any other new Windows version. The majority of people will go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and check for updates. You'll see Feature update to Windows 11 if it's available. Install by clicking the Download button. (For further information on how to get Windows 11, see this page.) If you haven't yet upgraded to Windows 10, you may be able to get a free copy of the operating system — here's how.)

Will it be free to download Windows 11?

If you've already installed Windows 10, Windows 11 will show as a free upgrade.

Check out everything we wanted in Windows 11 but didn't get, everything you need to know about the latest Windows 10 May 2021 update, the coolest Windows 10 hidden features we've discovered, and six simple security improvements every Windows 10 user should do.

Microsoft is easing some of the system requirements for the Windows 11 preview

Microsoft has also temporarily halted its PC Health Check service. The program was at the heart of a lot of the uncertainty about whether or not a particular device could run Windows 11. Microsoft acknowledged this, saying the app "wasn't completely equipped to share the degree of detail or accuracy you expected from us." The Microsoft intends to fix the app's flaws before rereleasing it later this year, ahead of Windows 11's wide release in the autumn.

Update on Windows 11 minimum system requirements

Hello, Windows Insiders!

We're releasing our first Insider build for Windows 11 today, and we're excited to get feedback from you as you install and test it on a range of PCs. The launch of Windows 11 last week marked the start of our journey to empower people with the next version of Windows. With each new generation comes the potential to change software and hardware to meet people's current and future computing needs.

The goal of today's post is to address and clarify the misunderstandings created by our PC Health Check tool, provide additional information about why we increased the system requirements for Windows 11, and lay out a plan for how we will learn and modify. Below are some of the changes we're making in response to your feedback, such as ensuring that Windows Insiders can install Windows 11 on 7th generation processors to provide us with more data about performance and security, updating our PC Health Check app to provide more clarity, and committing to more technical detail on the principles that underpin our decisions.

We concentrated on boosting security, improving stability, and assuring compatibility with Windows 11. This is what influences our choices.

Introducing Windows 11

Windows 11 is meant to bring you closer to what you love at a time when the PC is playing a more vital role in our lives.

Watch video: Introducing Windows 11

Windows has long served as a platform for global innovation. It's where scrappy companies become household names, and it's been the backbone of worldwide enterprises. On Windows, the internet was born and grew up. It's where many of us wrote our first email, played our first computer game, and coded our first line. Windows is the platform that people use to create, connect, learn, and achieve - a platform that over a billion people use today.

We don't take the responsibility of designing for so many people lightly. We went from fitting the PC into our lives to trying to fit our entire lives onto the PC during the last 18 months. Our phones weren't just for meetings, lectures, and getting things done; they were also where we went to play games with pals, binge watch our favorite shows, and, maybe most importantly, interact with one another. We found ourselves digitally replicating office talk, hallway banter, workouts, happy hours, and holiday parties in the process.

The transition in the PC we saw and felt — from something utilitarian and useful to something personal and emotional – was really profound. This is what motivated us to create the next iteration of Windows. To offer a familiar environment for you, where you may create, learn, play, and most importantly, connect in new ways.

I'm honored and delighted to introduce you you Windows 11, the operating system that brings you closer to the things you care about.

To boost your productivity and stimulate your creativity, we've simplified the design and user experience. It's modern, fresh, tidy, and lovely. Everything was done with the purpose of putting you in control and bringing a sense of peace and ease, from the new Start button and taskbar to each sound, typeface, and icon. We put Start in the center to make it easier to find what you're looking for. Start makes use of the cloud and Microsoft 365 to display your recent files regardless of what platform or device you were viewing them on previously, including Android and iOS devices.

Windows has always been about allowing you to work the way you want, with multiple windows and the ability to snap apps together. Snap Layouts, Snap Groups, and Desktops are all new in Windows 11 and provide an even more powerful way to multitask and stay on top of what you need to get done. These are new tools that will help you manage your windows and maximize your screen real estate so you can see just what you need in a visually appealing layout. You may also build separate Desktops for different aspects of your life and configure them to your preferences — for example, a Desktop for work, gaming, and education.

Windows 11 cuts through complexity and brings you simplicity.

A faster way to connect to the people you care about

Another important aspect of becoming closer to what you enjoy is getting closer to the people you enjoy. In the last 18 months, we've seen a shift in how we make meaningful digital connections with individuals. We want to make it easier for individuals to stay in touch with each other no matter where they are, even as we begin to return to more in-person engagement. And we don't want your device or platform to be an impediment.

We're delighted to bring Chat from Microsoft Teams in the taskbar with Windows 11. You can now communicate with all of your personal contacts instantaneously by text, chat, voice, or video, regardless of their platform or device, on Windows, Android, or iOS. If the person on the other end of the line hasn't downloaded the Teams app, you can still communicate with them via two-way SMS.

Through Teams, Windows 11 gives you a more natural way to communicate with friends and family, allowing you to mute and unmute instantaneously, as well as start presenting directly from the taskbar.

Delivering the best PC gaming experiences yet

If you're a gamer, Windows 11 is designed specifically for you. Gaming has always been central to the Windows experience. Hundreds of millions of people play games on Windows now, bringing joy and connection to their loved ones and friends. Windows 11 unleashes the full power of your system's hardware, allowing you to take use of some of the most cutting-edge gaming technology. Such as DirectX 12 Ultimate, which allows for spectacular, immersive graphics at high frame rates; DirectStorage, which allows for faster load times and more complex game worlds; and Auto HDR, which allows for a wider, more vivid range of colors for a genuinely compelling visual experience.Our dedication to hardware compatibility hasn't changed — Windows 11 supports all of your favorite PC gaming attachments and peripherals. With Xbox Game Pass for PC or Ultimate, gamers get access to over 100 high-quality PC games, with new games introduced on a regular basis, and it's still easy to find people to play with, whether they're on a PC or a console.

Visit Xbox Wire to discover more about what Windows 11 means for gamers.

A faster way to get the information you care about

Widgets, a new tailored feed powered by AI and best-in-class browser performance from Microsoft Edge, bring you closer to the news and information you care about faster in Windows 11. We need breaks even when we're at our most concentrated and creative — a time to check in with the outside world or reset our minds. We frequently check our phones these days to check the news, weather, or notifications. You may now see a similarly personalized experience from your PC. When you open your customised feed, it slides over your screen like a sheet of glass, obstructing your work. For creators and publishers, Widgets also opens new real estate within Windows to deliver personalized content. Our aspiration is to create a vibrant pipeline for global brands and local creators alike, in a way that both consumers and creators can benefit.

An all-new Microsoft Store where your favorite apps and entertainment come together

The new Microsoft Store is your one-stop shop for apps and content that you can use to watch, create, play, work, and learn. It's been rebuilt for speed and has a brand-new, gorgeous, and easy-to-use design. Not only will we bring you more apps than ever before, but we'll also use curated stories and collections to make all content - apps, games, shows, and movies – easier to find and discover. We're delighted to shortly welcome major first- and third-party apps to the Microsoft Store, including Microsoft Teams, Visual Studio, Disney+, Adobe Creative Cloud, Zoom, and Canva, all of which provide fantastic experiences to entertain, inspire, and connect you.When you download an app from the App Store, you can rest assured that it has been thoroughly vetted for security and family safety.

We're also excited to announce that for the first time, Android apps will be available on Windows. People will be able to discover Android apps in the Microsoft Store and download them through the Amazon Appstore starting later this year - image using TikTok to shoot and publish a video or Khan Academy Kids for virtual learning directly from your PC. In the next months, we'll have more to say about this event. We're excited about our collaboration with Amazon and Intel, which will make use of Intel Bridge technology.

Creating a more open ecosystem unlocking new opportunity for developers and creators

We're working to open up the Microsoft Store even more so that creators and developers can make more money. We're making it possible for developers and independent software vendors (ISVs) to bring their apps to Windows 10, regardless of whether they're built as a Win32, Progressive Web App (PWA), Universal Windows App (UWP), or any other app framework, allowing them to reach and engage with a wider audience. We're also announcing a gradual shift in our revenue-sharing policy, allowing app developers to bring their own commerce to our Store and keep 100% of the income — Microsoft keeps nothing.

App developers can continue to leverage our commerce with a competitive 85/15 revenue split. We believe that building a more open ecosystem benefits our consumers in the long run by providing them with secure, frictionless access to the apps, games, movies, shows, and web content they desire.

To learn more about the changes to the Microsoft Store, visit this Windows Blog post.

If you want to learn more about what Windows 11 means for developers, visit the Windows Developer Blog.

Faster, more secure and familiar for IT

For IT professionals, Windows 11 is built on the same stable, compatible, and familiar Windows 10 foundation. You'll plan, prepare, and deploy Windows 11 in the same way you do now with Windows 10. Upgrading to Windows 11 will be similar to updating to Windows 10. As you integrate Windows 11 into your estate, the familiar management experiences you have today – such as Microsoft Endpoint Manager, cloud configuration, Windows Update for Business, and Autopilot – will support your future environment.

We are dedicated to app compatibility, which is a major design principle of Windows 11, just as we were with Windows 10. With App Assure, a service that helps clients with 150 or more users fix any app difficulties they may have at no additional cost, we stand by our promise that your applications will work on Windows 11.

Windows 11 is also safe by design, with new built-in security mechanisms that provide protection from the chip to the cloud while allowing for increased productivity and new experiences. To protect data and access across devices, Windows 11 includes a Zero Trust-ready operating system.We've worked closely with our OEM and silicon partners to enhance security baselines in response to the changing threat landscape and the emerging hybrid work environment.

You can learn more about Windows 11 as the operating system for hybrid work and learning in the Microsoft 365 blog.

It's a great time to buy a PC

We've been working closely with our hardware and semiconductor partners since the beginning of Windows 11 development to ensure smooth integration between software and hardware. That co-engineering starts with silicon innovation. From AMD's Ryzen processors' great graphics depth to Intel's 11th gen and Evo Processors' incredible performance to Qualcomm's AI capabilities, 5G, and Arm support, our silicon partners' innovation brings together the best of Windows 11 with the world's largest hardware ecosystem.

We've worked with Dell, HP, Lenovo, Samsung, Surface, and others to guarantee that the majority of PCs* on the market today are ready for Windows 11 — in a variety of form factors and price points.

We worked together to make Windows 11 not only faster and more efficient, but also to take advantage of new touch, inking, and voice interactions.

When you use Windows 11 on a tablet without a keyboard, we've improved the touch experience by giving the taskbar more space, introducing larger touch targets and subtle visual clues to make resizing and moving windows easier, and adding gestures. We're also enabling haptics to make using your pen even more engaging and immersive, allowing you to hear and feel the vibrations as you edit or sketch. Last but not least, we've made improvements to voice typing. Windows 11 is fantastic at detecting what you're saying; it can even punctuate for you and has voice commands.

Beginning this holiday season, Windows 11 will be offered as a free update for eligible Windows 10 PCs and for new PCs. Download the PC Health Check software from Windows.com to see if your current Windows 10 PC qualifies for the free upgrade to Windows 11. We're also working with our retail partners to ensure that Windows 10 PCs purchased today are compatible with Windows 11. This holiday season, qualifying Windows 10 PCs will receive a free upgrade that will last until 2022. Next week, we'll start sharing an early preview of Windows 11 with the Windows Insider Program – a dedicated group of Windows lovers whose input is critical to us.

This is just the beginning

Windows is more than simply an operating system; it's a thread that runs through our lives and our businesses. It's where we meet new people, where we study, work, and have fun. It has become familiar and adapted to us over time. We hope you're as excited about Windows 11 as we are.

We're excited to see what Windows 11 empowers and inspires people to build.

*Look for PCs with a sticker indicating that they are qualified for the free upgrade, or ask your merchant for additional information.

30 June 2021 – After publication, this post was updated with a new device image.

Announcing the first Insider Preview for Windows 11

Good day, Windows Insiders! Build 22000.51, the first Windows 11 Insider Preview build, has been released to the Dev Channel! We'll work with you to validate the experience as we finish the product in the following months. In this early peek, you'll get to try out many, but not all, of the new features we introduced last week. More capabilities, such as Microsoft Teams Chat and Android apps in the Microsoft Store, will be available in the coming months as they become available - we are just getting started on this adventure together!

If you haven't already, read our blog post about how the Windows 11 hardware requirements may affect your PC's ability to fly and your alternatives for getting started.

We'd love to hear what you like and what you'd like to see in Windows 11 so we can make it work best for the way you work, learn, and play.

Beautiful, fresh, calm visuals and sounds

This new visual style extends across several parts of Windows 11, from rounded corners to content centering and new animations. Here are some of the important features you'll notice after installing this build:

Start: Start puts everything you need on your PC at the center with a set of pinned apps and a cloud powered "Recommended" section that shows your recently opened files from both your PC and across your devices like your smartphone with OneDrive.

Taskbar: Taskbar is also centered with beautiful new animations. Try pinning, launching, switching, minimizing, and rearranging your apps on Taskbar to see the beautiful new animations.

Notification Center & Quick Settings: The lower right corner of Taskbar has a button for Notification Center (WIN + N) and Quick Settings (WIN + A). Notification Center is the home for all your notifications in the OS and a full-month calendar view. Quick Settings is the place for you to manage common PC settings quickly and easily like Volume, Brightness, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Focus Assist. Directly above your Quick Settings, you will see media playback controls when playing music or videos in Microsoft Edge or streaming music in apps like Spotify.

File Explorer: We made File Explorer modern with a clean look and brand-new command bar. We have also introduced beautifully designed context menus when right-clicking in File Explorer or on your desktop. App developers will be able to extend the new context menus. We are working to publish documentation for app developers on how to do this with their apps soon.

Themes: In addition to brand new default themes for Windows 11 for both dark and light mode, it also includes four additional themes so you can make Windows feel the way you want it to. All the new themes were designed to complement the centered Taskbar. We have also added new contrast themes for people with visual impairments such as light sensitivity. To change your theme, just right-click on your desktop and choose "Personalize".

Sounds: The sounds in Windows 11 have been designed to be lighter and more atmospheric. They are also slightly different depending on whether your Windows theme is in dark mode or light mode. The startup sound for Windows also makes its return in which you'll hear when your PC boots up to the Lock screen and is ready to go for you to login.

Widgets

Widgets allow you to get closer to the information you want and need. Simply click the widgets icon on the Taskbar, swipe left on your touchscreen, or press WIN + W on your keyboard to have your widgets glide out from the left across your desktop. By adding or removing widgets, rearranging, resizing, and changing the content, you may customize your experience. The widgets we offer right now are focused on your calendar, weather, local traffic, Microsoft To Do lists, OneDrive images, sports and esports, your stock watchlist, and tips.

You may stay up to date with an integrated feed of tailored news with the newest material from over 4,500 worldwide brands like The New York Times or BBC, in addition to your Widgets. The news feed will adjust to show you stories that are relevant to you, and you may customize it to view more of the stuff that you want to see.

Multitasking

Increase your productivity and creativity with these new multitasking features:

Snap layouts: Simply move your mouse over the maximize button on a window to see the various snap layouts, then click on a zone to snap the window. With guided snap aid, you'll be guided to snap windows to the rest of the zones in the plan. A set of four snap layouts will be available for smaller displays. The WIN + Z keyboard shortcut can also be used to open the snap layouts flyout.

Snap groups: Snap groups allow you to quickly return to your snapped windows. Snap together at least two app windows on your screen to test this out. To swiftly go back, hover over one of these open apps on the Taskbar and click the snap group.

Desktops: Access your Desktops via Task View (WIN + Tab) on the Taskbar. You can reorder and customize the backgrounds for each of your Desktops. You can also mouse-over Task View on the Taskbar for quick access to your existing Desktops or to create a new one!

The new Microsoft Store

You'll be able to try out an early sample of the new Microsoft Store with today's update. We'll keep improving and expanding the Store. This release gives you a first look at the Store's all-new design; in the next months, we'll be adding other features mentioned in Giorgio Sardo's blog post last week.

Docking

The windows on your external display will be minimized when you undock your laptop. When you re-dock your computer to your monitor, Windows restores everything to its original state! These features' settings can be found under System > Display > Multiple Displays.

Input (touch, inking and voice)

Touch Keyboard personalization: We've produced 13 new touch keyboard themes, including three hardware matching themes that match the Surface colors, to let you customise your Windows experience. We've also included a brand-new theme engine that lets you design fully personalized themes, complete with background pictures. We've also added a possibility to resize the touch keyboard based on your feedback.

Voice typing launcher: Our new voice typing launcher allows you to start voice typing in a specific text field quickly and easily. It's turned off by default, but you can enable it in the voice typing settings (WIN + H to start voice typing) and then move it around your screen.

Improved Touch Gestures: Check out these new on-screen touch gestures for you to easily switch among apps and desktops with smooth transitions. The gestures are like the touchpad gestures but have thoughtful improvements designed specifically for touch. Here's a list you can try:

Pen menu: If you're using a digital pen, you can open pen menu by clicking the pen icon at the lower right on your Taskbar. (If the pen icon isn't there, you can enable it by right-clicking on Taskbar and going to Taskbar settings to enable it. By default, it contains two apps which can be customized by clicking the gear button and selecting "edit pen menu". In the flyout, you can add up to four of your favorite drawing or writing apps in the pen menu, to open them quickly when you're using your pen.

Language/Input switcher: You can quickly switch between additional languages and keyboards via a switcher a switcher will show up at the lower right on your taskbar next to Quick Settings. You can also use the keyboard shortcut WIN + [Spacebar] to toggle between input methods. To add additional languages and keyboards, go to Settings > Time & Language > Language & Region.

To be continued

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