Windows 11 - What you need to know
Six years after the last release, Microsoft’s new operating system, Windows 11, was released in October this year. We take a closer look what’s new in this latest iteration and the key things you need to know to get started using it.
What are the key upgrades with Windows 11?
In Microsoft’s own words, the new OS is all about “bringing balance to your desktop, with easy-to-use tools that can help you optimise your screen space and maximise your productivity.”
It also offers a new design and sounds that are “modern, fresh, clean and beautiful, bringing you a sense of calm and ease.”
We agree the new look and feel is sleek and modern and has a definite ‘Mac-like’ aesthetic featuring rounded corners, pastel shades, and a centred start menu and taskbar. Whether it brings calm and ease? Time will tell.
Integrated Android apps
If you’re an Android user, good news! Windows 11 will soon allow you to download and use any of the 500,000-plus Android apps available through the built-in Amazon Appstore. It was possible to access Android apps on Windows 10, especially if you had a Samsung Galaxy phone, but this will make it native and more user-friendly.
Microsoft Teams integration
Microsoft’s video chat platform, Teams, also gets an upgrade and is now pinned to the taskbar for easier access (similar to Apple's FaceTime). You'll be able to access Teams from Windows, Mac, Android or iOS. This will be welcomed by the increasing numbers of people working from home.
Virtual desktops
At last, virtual desktops! This feature has been available within other operating systems for years, but Microsoft’s late-arriving version is looking very impressive. The new feature helps organise workspaces by letting you easily toggle between different desktops you design for various needs, for example gaming, work, or personal interests. You can also personalise each one with a different virtual wallpaper and other cool customisations.
Snap Groups and Snap Layouts
Snap Layouts and Groups lets you organise windows and apps by grouping them together. For example, if you’re researching a project and have several apps and websites all related to that search, Snap Layouts lets you keep them all tidily organised within a grid on your screen. You can choose from various grid options and minimise them all at the same time.
Widgets
Widgets have been around for a while and have been hidden away somewhere in the start menu of past versions. Windows 11 makes them more accessible by adding an icon to the taskbar, allowing you to bring up a customisable panel of widgets that lets you see a quick update of information from sites you like to keep an eye on.
Things that could be better
There’s lots to like about Windows 11, and we think most users are going to find it’s a worthy upgrade. But there are a couple of annoying defaults we could do without.
Pushing us to the edge
While we each may have our own preferred web browser, Windows 11 defaults to using Microsoft Edge.
Windows 10 made it relatively easy to change your default browser in just a few clicks. Windows 11 would really like to you stick with Edge and makes it more difficult to change – you’ll have to delve deeper into the settings and change the browser within the default apps panel.
New Start Menu
The start menu looks quite a bit different from the menu we are used to seeing in Windows 10. The start button appears in the center of the task bar along with pinned or open applications, rather than in the left hand corner. The new start menu has a much cleaner look but with change comes confusion and re-learning where things are. Though the new Start menu isn’t as customizable as the one in Windows 10, there are ways to make it look and work the way you want.
When do I need to upgrade?
Windows 10 will be supported until 2025, so you have plenty of time to upgrade to Windows 11.
Note: Microsoft no longer supports Windows 7 or 8 with security patches, so hopefully you’ve moved your workstations to Windows 10.
It’s always a good idea to keep your software as up to date as possible. Outdated programs that connect to and receive files from the internet, including web browsers, can be vulnerable to attacks by hackers. While developers will issue ad hoc patches to address vulnerabilities, they won’t always discover them all, by which time it may be too late. And of course, these patches are often not applied correctly or on time by users. Worse still, well-meaning employees may attempt to install alternative, unlicensed solutions that can create more problems than they solve. Read more about the importance of keeping your software updated here.
How do I upgrade?
Once Windows 11 becomes generally available, you'll be able to download it for free, the same way you would any new version of Windows.
Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for Updates.
If available, you'll see a prompt to download and install Windows 11.
Microsoft is rolling out the operating system gradually, so don't worry if you don't see the option immediately. If your device doesn’t meet eligibility requirements, you may need to replace your PC by 2025 as Microsoft will phase out Windows 10 over the next several years.
Ready to upgrade?
Think Concepts can install and set up Windows 11 on your computers and devices and make sure its functioning just how you want it to. We can also give you and your team a quick training session to walk through the new features and get everyone up to speed on how to use them.*
Contact us today to get started.
*Standard Think Concepts charges apply.