Microsoft unveiled Windows 11 during an online occasion on Thursday. There are rounded corners and a centered Start menu, along with widgets.
Microsoft on Thursday introduced Windows 11, the next era of Windows. The most recent version of Windows comes six years after the tech big had launched Windows 10 to the world. Windows 11 focuses on a brand new user interface, a new Windows Retailer, and improvements to efficiency.
Windows 11 options an overhauled design language, one thing shoppers wanting from the subsequent era of Windows. “As we speak marks a serious milestone within the historical past of Windows,” Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella mentioned. “It’s the start of a brand new era.”
With Windows 11, the Begin button and the taskbar are moved on the backside of the show as an alternative to the left facet. The consumer interface reminds us of Windows 10x, the now-defunct operation system which was imagined to tackle Google’s Chrome OS. It removes dwell tiles and replaces them with a grid of icons that may be rearranged and pinned to the brand new Begin. There are rounded corners, together with widgets that embody issues like your calendar, climate, sports activities leaderboard. There’s additionally an improved System Tray with a brand new split Notifications and Fast Actions UI. Additionally, Windows Replace might be sooner and extra environment friendly with updates that are 40 p.c smaller and set up within the background.
Panos Panay, Microsoft’s chief product officer, described the brand new desktop working system as “the Windows that bring you nearer to the things you love.”
Microsoft says additionally it is redesigning the Windows Retailer. Not simply the model new look, the corporate additionally mentioned Windows 11 will help Android apps by way of Amazon’s app retailer. This implies thousands and thousands of fashionable apps which weren’t out there on Windows might be out there to obtain on the most well-liked desktop working system.
Earlier this 12 months, Microsoft introduced that it might minimize the quantity of income it takes from video games on Windows. It mentioned that it’s going to scale back its minimize from 30 p.c to 12 p.c to bring extra PC games to Windows Store. Throughout the virtual event, Panos Panay mentioned developers can use Microsoft’s fee processor which takes a 12 p.c price from purchases or use their very own fee processor and preserve one hundred pc of purchases. Microsoft rival Apple is facing an antitrust probe over its app retailer policies.
The Redmond-based firm additionally mentioned it’s bringing some options from its Xbox consoles to Windows 11. These embody computerized HDR, which mainly adjusts the lighting and coloration in a sport. After all, you want the right video games and a complicated PC to make use of this feature.
On the pill entrance, Microsoft mentioned it has made enhancements to the general expertise when utilizing contact. It is also making Microsoft Teams, its video conferencing chat platform, by integrating instantly into Windows. So now Groups is integrated instantly into the taskbar, thus permitting Windows 11 customers to name pals, family, or colleagues.
Microsoft says that Windows 11 will start transport to shoppers later this 12 months, and Windows Insiders can start testing a preview of the release as early as subsequent week. Windows 11 might be a free upgrade for Windows 10 customers, so long as you have a suitable PC that meets the necessities of Microsoft’s new working system.