Windows 11 is coming with massive redesign together with lots of new features. There’s a brand new look for the desktop, a major UI redesign, and big changes to the core Microsoft OS apps and services that we’ve come to rely upon in PC gaming, but it also includes lots of productivity upgrades, including Snap Layouts for running multiple apps at once.

Windows 11 also features new widgets for keeping you up to date with the latest news, Microsoft Teams integration and a new Windows Store. Windows 11 can run Android apps from the Amazon App Store to be used, so you can download apps if you wish.

Windows 11 release date

Microsoft has officially announced that Windows 11 is going to be available for new machines starting October 5, 2021 as a free upgrade, with eligible devices being notified from them on. Updates to existing Windows 10 users should start coming at the start of 2022, and Microsoft hopes to have offered Windows 11 to every compatible machine by mid-2022. 

You can check if your PC is eligible for the free Windows 11 upgrade by visit the Microsoft website and downloading the PC Health Check app. Windows 10 some users aren’t likely to get the upgrade until later on in the year or 2022. That’s because, Microsoft will prioritize the Windows 11 roll out over based on hardware eligibility, reliability metrics and other factors.

While we wait for its October release, here’s everything you want to know about the release date, the new features, and more for Windows 11.

How to download Windows 11

Microsoft has been updating the Insider builds of Windows 11 on the developer channel since its announcement, so if you want to give it a try, You can read this handy guide all about how to download Windows 11.

Minimum Requirements

• Processor: 1 gigahertz or faster with at least 2 cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or SoC
• RAM: 4GB
• Storage: 64GB
• System Firmware: UEFI, Secure Boot capable
• TPM: Trusted Platform Module 2.0
• Graphics Card: DirectX 12 with WDDM 2.0 driver
• Display: 720p, 8-bit per color channel
• Internet: Windows 11 Home edition requires internet connection

Windows 11 New design and features

Windows 11 has a new look that’s more attractive but also more user-friendly designed. One of the biggest changes users will notice is that the Start menu has been moved to the center of the screen and pressing it can show you your recent files, docs and apps. Light Mode and Dark Mode are here too, with a unified design across the operating system, with colorful wallpapers to choose from as well.

Windows 11 now features Snap Layouts. You can pick the Snap Layout that you want to choose so you can run multiple apps at the same time. For example, you could have two apps side by side or three in columns or four in a grid, and there’s six choices in total.

Windows 11 widgets

Widgets bring you a feed of info you can personalize, and you can decide how you want it to appear on your desktop, which is powered by Microsoft Edge and AI. These widgets can help you check your calendar at a glance, the weather, Bing maps, news, your to-do list, photos and more. You can have Widgets slide out to cover a portion or all of your desktop, depending on what you want.

Gaming on Windows 11

Gaming will be a much bigger focus in Windows 11, Microsoft is introducing some new features specifically aimed at improving the gaming experience in its operating system. Windows 10 Xbox app replaced by a new Game Pass app that enables you to buy, manage and remove games, making it easier for you to access and download games.

Auto HDR is coming to Windows 11, bringing improved contrast and color output without requiring app makers to reconfigure their games. Direct Storage is also here, with the main game assets able to be downloaded and installed, enabling you to play your games even faster than before. The Auto HDR image was much brighter and featured greater detail.

Windows 11 Store and Android Apps

Microsoft is redesigned the Windows 11 Store, making it faster and easier to find the apps you’re looking for. Microsoft announcement that you’ll be able to find Android apps in Microsoft’s Store and download them through the Amazon Appstore and that will probably garner the most attention is that Android apps will be directly available for Windows 11.

Windows 11 Touch improvements
and voice support

Microsoft is adding bigger touch targets while inserting visual cues aimed at helping you more easily resize and move windows around, and better rotate optimizations, for example in how windows are rearranged, so you don’t lose track of the applications you were using.

The touch keyboard has also been redesigned and customizable. Microsoft says dictation will also be improved, alongside voice commands, with ‘delete that’ options and more. 

Windows 11 also features enhanced voice recognition for text input with more accurate voice-to-text transcription and automatic punctuation.

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