We have already talked within our blogabout the release of a revolutionary Windows update: Windows 11.
Microsoft says Windows 11 will be released by the holidays later this year, but as early as next week you’ll be able to access various beta builds through the Insider Preview channel.
You can join the Insider channel via your PC settings by going to Updates and Security, > Windows Insider Program.
As for the cost, it has been confirmed that the upgrade to Windows 11 will be free, even for users coming from Windows 7 and Windows 8.1.
The goal that Microsoft has with the release of its new operating system is certainly to unify its platform: to focus, therefore, on a free update for users seems to be the best way!
The only difference from previous updates will be the installation method: Windows 11 in fact won’t be downloadable from Windows Update, but you’ll have to use Media Creation Tool to create an external installation media or run the update directly on your PC.
New features
- Renewed design: one of the main novelties of the new Windows will be the renewal of the design with the new Fluent Design, which will modify graphic interface, icons and animations. In the past months there has been a lot of talk about this aspect and the novelties that we would see in Windows Sun Valley: in addition to a new UI, the new Windows should integrate anew clipboard accessible with the key combination Win + V, which in addition to having a history will also allow the insertion of Emoji and GIF, also will offer the possibility to fix at the top the most used elements and paste text without formatting.
- Photo App and Clock App: the new ones Photos App seems to have been designed on the same basis as its predecessor while adding refinements and new features: in fact, it seems that the full photo view will give users the ability to view multiple photos at a time, showing a timeline of recent shots at the bottom.
On the other hand, as far as the Clock app is concerned, Focus Sessions will be available in the new version, perfect for those moments of study or work when maximum concentration and distraction removal is required. - New disk management system: the new system will feature a modern interface that will allow you to manage partitions and volumes directly from the Settings screen, an improved system for battery monitoring and new features for the task manager.
Apart from this, the new Windows will also offer better GPU management: in computers equipped with more than one GPU, Microsoft will let you select which one to use to run the various apps and programs. Users will then be able to decide whether to use the power-saving or the high-performance GPU directly from the Settings app. - Microsoft Surface: the “Wake On Touch” feature will be available, allowing devices to exit standby mode by simply touching the display. Probably this feature is still in the testing phase, as in the latest build leaked online it’s not immediately accessible from Settings, but you have to search for it specifically in the Windows search bar.
- Start Menu and Jump List: these elements will become dynamic, upon specific user customization, and will no longer be anchored to any vertex of the screen. The customizations would also include the possibility of displaying more rounded and bevelled corners, instead of the classic squared corners. The Microsoft Store will be redesigned, through which the company aims to favor developers by increasing the flow of money into their hands.
- Windows Snap function: one of the most appreciated novelties will most likely be the Windows Snap function, which will make it possible to optimally simplify the organization of the windows open on the screen, allowing the user to choose between four predefined layouts.
Actually, this feature was already present on Windows 10 as well, but with the new update , the procedure has been simplified even further: to rearrange the active windows, it will be enough to place the cursor on the magnify button of one of the open windows and choose between the four available layout templates. - Dark Mode: it will also be possible to set the operating system to “Dark Mode”, which also offers the possibility of having more relaxing system sounds than the “Light” mode (already set by default): Microsoft has confirmed that it has focused on the “make technology relaxing“, modifying the general sound effect of Windows 11 in Dark Mode with a more subdued profile and with sounds characterized by a much rounder wavelength.
The removal of Internet Explorer
Users will find themselves saying goodbye to a faithful companion that has always been one of the cornerstones of the Windows operating system: we are talking about Internet Explorer, which has been officially removed by Microsoft to make room for the IE mode within Microsoft Edge.