Windows 11

Windows 11 is an operating system launched on October 5, 2021. It was released by Microsoft Corporation and serves as the successor to Windows 10. Windows 11 comes with many new features and enhances usability. It is an updated version of its predecessor Windows 10 and is currently the latest version available.

What is Windows 11?

Microsoft Windows is a group of various graphical operating system families. Windows 11 is designed to enhance the overall user experience across different devices, including PCs, tablets, and hybrid 2-in-1 PCs. Notably, Windows 11 features a completely redesigned user interface, combining elements from previous Windows versions with new design components. For example, Windows 11 has a new taskbar and Start menu. Additionally, it has improved gaming experiences with enhancements like the Game Bar, Auto HDR, and the introduction of DirectStorage. DirectStorage allows hardware to communicate more efficiently, resulting in faster game loading times. The next paragraph will detail the new features introduced in Windows 11.

Windows 11: New Features

Firstly, Windows 11 has a new appearance, affecting the overall graphical user interface. The refreshed GUI utilizes more rounded shapes in its design and features transparent elements, shadows, and a new color palette. The Microsoft Store has also been revamped. Furthermore, Windows 11 allows users to install Android applications via the Amazon Appstore, requiring accounts for both Microsoft and Amazon.

Windows 11 also introduces widgets, enabling the display of news, sports, weather, and financial information. It includes Snap layouts, a feature designed to enhance multitasking. Users can organize multiple windows on the screen, allowing for up to four applications to be viewed simultaneously. Additionally, Windows 11 users can create different virtual "desktops," making it easy to switch between them for various occasions, ensuring the right apps are ready for each situation. Moreover, Windows 11 features several technical improvements, including faster boot times, better security, and enhanced optimization. Windows 11 also introduces Microsoft 365 Copilot, a productivity tool that can assist in content creation based on AI (Artificial Intelligence), useful for summarizing information or overcoming design hurdles.

Windows 11: Editions

Windows 11, like its predecessors, has various editions. Each edition has its own distinctive capabilities, making each suitable for a different audience. Below are all the editions:

• Windows 11 Home
• Windows 11 Pro
• Windows 11 Education
• Windows 11 Enterprise
• Windows 11 Enterprise LTSC
• Windows 11 Pro Workstations

Windows 11 Home
Windows 11 Home is intended for consumers who use the PC for everyday tasks, such as browsing the internet, creating documents, and entertainment. The new look of Windows 11 is immediately noticeable. The icons have a refreshed appearance, and the windows are semi-transparent. Additionally, the Start menu opens from the center of the screen instead of the bottom left. Windows 11 also offers more personalization options, allowing users to customize their PCs to their liking.

It is important to know which license you have. There is a difference between the Retail Pro version and the Volume version. Users cannot simply upgrade/downgrade between these two licenses. To switch between these licenses, a completely new license must be purchased. It is important to know which license is being acquired.

Windows 11 Pro
Windows 11 Pro includes everything that is also in Windows 11 Home but comes with additional features, making it more expensive than Windows 11 Home. It includes extra security applications, strong and customizable encryption, and virtualization software. The additional network applications enable remote work, and the extra security features better protect the data. The Windows Pro edition is designed for hybrid work, helping users work from any location. Windows 11 Pro provides a powerful UX that enhances productivity and focus.

Windows 11 Enterprise
Windows 11 Enterprise is intended for large organizations. All the features available in Windows 11 Pro are also found in Windows 11 Enterprise. However, Windows 11 Pro provides a more intuitive user experience, equipped with a new Start menu, a snap feature that makes it easier for users to arrange windows, and an improved language bar. Windows 11 Enterprise also offers the Remote Desktop feature, enabling users to access files, applications, and folders from any device anywhere in the world with an internet connection. Additionally, Microsoft Teams facilitates communication and collaboration with remote colleagues. Finally, Windows 11 Enterprise ensures smooth IT administration and improved productivity through Windows Autopilot and integration with Azure Active Directory.

Windows 11 Education
Windows 11 Education is intended for students, teachers, and institutions and has the same features as the Windows 11 Enterprise edition, but is sold at a lower price specifically for this target audience. This allows students to develop optimally by working with efficient tools. Features like Microsoft Teams, Learning Tools, and AI apps make this license ideal for students. Additionally, Windows 11 Education includes several security features such as Windows Hello and Windows Defender, which allow for secure sign-in via facial recognition or fingerprint and protection against security risks and malware.

Windows 11 Enterprise LTSC
Windows 11 Enterprise LTSC (Long-Term Servicing Channel) is a version of Windows 11 for the long term, specifically for devices with special purposes that require a long support cycle of 10 years. Examples include devices used in banking, healthcare, retail production, and hospitality sectors. Windows 11 Enterprise LTSC is based on the same foundation as Windows 11 Pro and Windows 11 Enterprise, offering the same security and management capabilities and compatibility.

Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
Windows 11 Workstations is designed for heavy tasks. For those who work extensively with graphic software, Windows 11 Pro Workstations is a good option. This edition features better hardware support and enhances performance, making video editing or rendering 3D objects easier. Additionally, with built-in security, user files remain safe, and file transfer or sharing is faster.

Upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11
Windows 11 is closely aligned with its predecessor, Windows 10, making it a significant feature update to Windows 10. With improved visualization, Windows 11 provides users with organized access to all buttons and functions, eliminating the need to navigate to the control panel for adjustments. Moreover, as previously mentioned, it is possible to work with multiple screens, and the upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 is entirely free for Retail and OEM versions. Microsoft will continue to support Windows 10 until 2025, releasing updates that include both security and functional enhancements.

Installing Windows 11

If a switch is made, it can be done through the Windows Update settings. The device must meet the following system requirements:

System Requirements for Windows 11:

• Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with 2 or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or system on a chip (SoC).
• RAM: 4 gigabytes (GB).
• Storage: 64 GB or larger storage device.
• System Firmware: Compatible with UEFI Secure Boot.
• TPM: Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0.
• Graphics Card: Compatible with DirectX 12 or newer with WDDM 2.0 driver.
• Display: High-definition (720p) display greater than 9” diagonally, 8 bits per color channel.
• Internet Connection and Microsoft Account: Windows 11 Pro for personal use and Windows 11 Home require an internet connection and a
  Microsoft account during the initial setup of the device. To disable a device in the S mode of Windows 11 Home, an internet connection is also required. Internet access is required for all Windows 11 editions to perform updates and download certain features. A Microsoft account is required for some features.

If the required hardware is met and the Windows 10 license is OEM or Retail, the upgrade can be completed without issues. Windows Update will notify when the update is ready for the device. It is also possible to manually start the update. In the Windows Update settings menu, users can check for updates. If the update is possible, the download begins immediately after approval.