Essential Windows 11 Reading | Everything You Need to Know About Windows 11

Great news! On June 24, Microsoft released a new version of Windows. At first glance, Windows 11 seems to be a significant departure from its predecessors. So, what's new in Windows 11? Should you upgrade? Is it free? How can you upgrade? This article will answer all your questions. Get the full guide now.

1 - Is Windows 11 coming soon?
2 - What are the new features in Windows 11?
3 - System requirements for Windows 11
4 - How to download Windows 11
5 - Will Windows 11 be a free upgrade?
6 - How to buy a new computer with Windows 11 pre-installed?
7 - How much will a PC with Windows 11 cost?
8 - What's the difference between Windows 10 and Windows 11?

1 - Is Windows 11 Coming Soon?

Yes, according to official announcements, the Beta version of Windows 11 is now available for your device. You can download it through the Windows Insider Program. The final release is expected to be rolled out during the holiday season in 2022, with some suggesting a possible release in October this year. Either way, Windows 11 is on its way.

2 - New Features in Windows 11

Brand new user interface

Unlike its predecessors, Windows 11 streamlines the user interface and experience. It looks a bit like a Mac, but with important differences. The Start menu and taskbar are centered. And the new Start menu displays recent files, regardless of platform or device, whether you were working in Office or in the cloud.

Windows 11 also improves on snapping layouts, snapping groups, and virtual desktops, making it easier to juggle multiple tasks by customizing how windows are arranged with a hover over the maximize button in the top right corner.

Microsoft Teams Connect

Challenging FaceTime, Teams will get the video-calling capabilities Microsoft demonstrated at its conference, with seamless connectivity between PCs, phones, and TVs. Access to Teams will be just a click away from the taskbar.

Best Gaming Experience

And if you're a gamer, you won't want to miss Windows 11 – the most gaming-friendly operating system ever.

• Auto HDR: Windows 11 adds High Dynamic Range (HDR), a feature popular with Xbox Series X|S gamers. According to Xbox news, if your monitor supports HDR, games on Windows 11 will support a wider range of brightness and color values. Once you turn on Auto HDR, SDR games will look as good as HDR games. The image below shows the visual difference between SDR and HDR.

• Faster load times with DirectStorage: DirectStorage gets games loading faster by optimizing your PC's storage subsystem. • Quick Resume: This Xbox Series X|S feature also comes to Windows 11, allowing you to pick up where you left off in a game after restarting your device or switching between titles.

Support for Android applications

Microsoft announced that Android apps will integrate with Windows 11 and be available to download from the Microsoft Store or the Amazon Appstore.

Widget

Easily view information. Microsoft has added a widget feature that lets you get your to-do list, top news, weather, and more. Swipe right on your home screen to open widgets.

Tablet mode

The taskbar changes size with Tablet Mode. When your tablet detects that it's been rotated in any direction, the system automatically switches to a window layout that's optimized for touch.

Others: A touch keyboard; a new Microsoft Store open to all apps and games, with all revenues going to developers.

3 - Windows 11 System Requirements

According to Microsoft, these are the baseline system requirements for installing Windows 11 on your laptop/PC. While Microsoft has stated that Windows 10 users will get a free upgrade to Windows 11, the new OS does have specific system requirements. If your computer doesn't meet these requirements, sorry, but you won't be able to install the shiny new operating system.

To check whether your PC meets the requirements, Microsoft has released the PC Health Check app. Go to that page to download the app.

Alternatively, you can use our Windows 11 Upgrade Checker to see if your PC is capable of running Windows 11.

Step 1. Launch Partition Master and click “Toolbox”.

Step 2. Click on "Win11 Checker" to open the tool. Then, hit the Check Now button to start.

The Windows 11 Compatibility results window will soon appear, listing all incompatible and compatible configurations.

Migrate Your PC Data to Windows 11:

If your device meets the system requirements for Windows 11, you can proceed to migrate all your PC data to Win 11. Click on Migrate to Win 11 to download the PC migration software.

4 - Downloading and Installing Windows 11

The official release of Windows 11 is coming soon. But if you're enrolled in the Windows Insider Program, or using the Windows 11 Builder tool, you can download and install the latest preview builds to get an early taste.

Note: For safety, install the beta on a test device. Wait for the release version for your main device.

1 - How to Download Windows 11 Using the Windows 11 Builder Tool

Step 1. After launching OS2Go, click on Create Windows Install Drive. The homepage will display the system information that it fetches, which updates in real-time. Apart from Windows 11, the Win11 Builder also lets you download Windows 10/8.1.

Step 2: Connect your USB flash drive to your PC. The Windows 11 Installation Assistant should detect it automatically, and you can click on the Create button to proceed.

Step 3: If your USB device has been used before, the software will erase its contents. After the download starts, you can just wait for it to finish, or do other things while it's downloading.

Step 4. Once the Windows 11 ISO image has successfully downloaded to your USB drive, follow the installation wizard to start installing Windows 11 on your computer from the bootable USB drive.

How to download the Windows 11 Insider Preview build

Step 1: Make sure you're an administrator on the device. Sign in with your Windows Insider account and click Start flying.

Step 2: Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Insider Program > Get started.

3. Under “Choose an account to get started,” tap the “+” and sign in with the Microsoft account you used to register.

Step 4: Select your experience and channel. Choose the Dev Channel.

Step 5: Review and agree to the privacy statement and terms of use, then choose Restart Now or Restart Later.

Step 6. After restarting, make sure your data settings are correct to receive the preview build.

Go to Settings > Update & security > Windows Update > Check for updates.

How to install Windows 11 if it's available

Step 1: Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for updates.

Step 2: If your device is eligible, you'll see the "Windows 11 Feature Update" available.

Step 3. Click to download and install.

5 - Will Windows 11 be a free upgrade?

For users of Windows 10 personal computers or laptops, the upgrade to Windows 11 will be free, but you should check the system requirements to make sure that your device is compatible, and that you are running the latest version of Windows 10.

If your system is outdated, the upgrade might fail. You might need to upgrade your hardware soon or wait to buy a new Windows 11 PC/laptop.

6 - How can I buy a new PC with Windows 11?

New PCs running Windows 11, including some popular brands like HP, Dell, and Lenovo, will start shipping later this year. If the reengineered operating system takes off, computers running Windows 11 will soon follow.

7 - How much will a Windows 11 PC cost?

No prices are yet available, and different PC makers will offer a range of models.

8 - What's the difference between Windows 10 and Windows 11?

It would retain the power and security of Windows 10, while – as described above – wooing us with a redesigned look and new features.

• The interface and Start menu are streamlined.
• There are rounded corners between elements, giving it a less sharp appearance than previous versions.
• Voice input will be improved.
• Besides visual changes, the most significant operational difference between the two systems lies in the TPM chip.
• Systems without TPM support cannot upgrade to Win11.