Written in June 2021 from a leaked early build, before Windows 11 was officially released in October 2021.
Microsoft has finally come around on Windows 10 being the last version of Windows, and will unveil Windows 11 on 24 June at 11 am ET at its Microsoft Event. Microsoft is calling it the “next generation of Windows”, and CEO and now Chairman Satya Nadella has said this is going to be the biggest update to Windows in over a decade.
A version of Windows 11 has leaked online. We got to try it out, and these are some of the new features we noticed.
Installation
The installation process is very similar to Windows 10, minus the annoying Cortana, which has been booted out. A new fluid animation plays in the background while Windows 11 sets up. Creating a local account is still hard, as Microsoft wants you to log in with an Outlook online account.
Interface
The main difference in Windows 11 is the new design. There are new icon designs with fresh colours, rounded corners on windows and a new set of wallpapers.
Taskbar: there are no major changes to the desktop, but there are several updates to the taskbar. Microsoft has implemented one of its most requested features, centred taskbar icons, which first appeared in the now cancelled Windows 10X. There is an option to move the icons back to the left, as in previous versions.
Taskbar icons: some icons have been added and some removed. First comes the Start button, followed by Search, Desktop, Widgets, Explorer, Edge and Store. The taskbar is taller, as the day is now shown alongside the time and date on the right.
Start menu: the Start button is now a square window icon rather than the slightly tilted window of Windows 10. The menu has a new floating design; the live tiles are gone, replaced by pinned shortcuts, with the user account and power button placed at the bottom.
Explorer: File Explorer has new, fluent and colourful icons. We still don’t have the much-requested option of tabs, and the rest of Explorer is much the same.
Widgets: a new option that looks very similar to the News and Interests feature recently introduced in Windows 10.
Sounds: one of the delightful changes is the return of the Windows start-up sound, which was skipped entirely in Windows 10. It is on by default and complements the updated look. All the other system sounds have been updated too.
What it means
Most other features, such as the login screen, Action Centre and Settings, are the same as in Windows 10. The fact that the differences are only in design suggests the leaked version is an early build, and the final release will bring more upgrades, not only in design but in the kernel as well. Microsoft has already set October 2025 as the end-of-support date for Windows 10. There are rumours that valid Windows 7, 8, 8.1 and 10 users will get a free upgrade to Windows 11, but nothing has been confirmed yet. Windows 11 may reach the market in about two to three months, and OEMs will get it much sooner.
Written by Brijesh Gokhale. Read more writing