Microsoft Windows 11 is now officially out and taking on the world. If you are wondering “Should I upgrade to Windows 11?”, continue reading for our answers to the five common, biggest Windows 11 questions we have been hearing in the recent months.
Finally, after six long years, Microsoft has recently released the latest version of their Windows operating system – Windows 11. As computing technology play and increasingly pivotal role in our everyday lives, technology firms such as Microsoft are investing more and more time as well as effort into delivering the best possible user experience and software support for as broad a range of users and their hardware as possible, to capture as big a share of this ever-growing market as is practical.
Windows 11 is Microsoft’s de-facto answer to these growing market demands for better and more home and business software. Microsoft has described their newest OS release as “Windows that brings you closer to what you love.” Have they achieved that though? Let’s find out. Here are five of the most common Windows 11 questions answered.
FIVE FREQUENTLY ASKED WINDOWS 11 QUESTIONS ANSWERED
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WINDOWS 10 AND 11?
What’s the difference between Windows 10 and 11? Windows 11 delivers a significant performance boost, a host of functionality improvements and a stylish user interface update. A few of the key changes to the new version of Windows are:
- Microsoft takes user interface cues from Apple – Windows 11 may already look familiar to you out of the box if you have recently used a Mac. The layout of the macOS interface takes clear inspiration from Apple’s operating system with rounded corners, larger app icons centered in the middle of the taskbar and an update to the Start menu design – do not worry, Microsoft has learned its lessons from the Windows 8 Start menu fiasco and made sure to not reinvent the wheel this time around.
- Streamlined and improved productivity experience is here – Microsoft introduces numerous small productivity updates that will make a huge difference to the users of Windows 11. The system will now remember and restore your last layout when docking and the new Snap Layout feature will let you quickly switch between a range of layout options to find the one most convenient to you. If you use virtual desktops, each can now have a unique background. Widgets are back in force as well.
- Better support for working from home and telecommuting – With working from home, telecommuting and hybrid remote working arrangements currently on the rise, Microsoft updated its Teams app to provide better support for remote workers. Teams now comes integrated with the Windows system, making it easier to, out-of-the-box, communicate with clients, colleagues, family, and friends.
- Increased support for PC gaming – Microsoft is going hard on integrating the Xbox brand into its operating system. Through the Xbox app, you can take advantage of the very attractive offering of Xbox Game Pass games for a flat, ongoing subscription fee.
- Support for running Android apps – While this feature is still in development and not fully released as of yet, Microsoft has committed to providing a platform that will allow Windows 11 users to install and run Android apps on their PCs, greatly expanding the Windows app ecosystem.
DO I NEED TO UPGRADE MY HARDWARE TO SWITCH TO WINDOWS 11? WINDOWS 11 SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS.
You may need to update your hardware if it does not meet the Windows 11 system requirements. The minimum requirements are:
- At least a 1GHZ dual-core processor
- 4 GB of RAM
- At least 64 GB of storage
- A graphics card compatible with DirectX 12 or later, with a WDDM 2.0 driver
- 720p display, at least 9” diagonal size, with 8 bits per colour channel
- TPM version 2.0
- UEFI, Secure Boot capable firmware
Your computer will need to meet or exceed the above Windows 11 system requirements. If it does, you should not need to upgrade your hardware.
If your current PC does not meet these requirements, however, you may need to either upgrade your hardware or purchase a newer device – contact your hardware vendor if you are not sure which options applies to you.
IS THE MICROSOFT OFFICE SUITE AVAILABLE ON WINDOWS 11?
If you classic Microsoft Office is what you have in mind, then the answer is unfortunately no – support for older versions of Office (2010 and below) has been discontinued since last year. You will need to pay for a Microsoft 365 subscription (the current name of the productivity platform we all know as Microsoft Office, recently rebranded from Office 365). If you do have an existing Microsoft 365 plan subscription, you are ready to go. Just install your software after upgrading to Windows 11.
HOW TO SWITCH FROM WINDOWS 10 to 11?
How to switch from Windows 10 to 11? It’s very simple. These days updating your computer OS is typically as simple as updating your smartphone. Simply go to Windows Update and check for new updates, you will be offered an option to upgrade there. Simply click “Download and Install” to get started. The process can take a while to download and install everything but is virtually painless otherwise.
SHOULD I UPGRADE TO WINDOWS 11?
Upgrade to Windows 11 only if your machine is compatible with and meets at least the minimum Windows 11 system requirements. Otherwise, you don’t have and you may, in fact, be unable to upgrade anyway. At this time, the upgrade is also not mandatory. If you simply prefer Windows 10, don’t like changes and are happy with your system, stay on Windows 10. Microsoft has committed to supporting Windows 10 with security updates until at least the 14th of October 2025 at the time of writing, giving you roughly four more years to prepare your hardware or make up your mind – whichever the case applies to your situation.
WINDOWS 11 IS FINALLY HERE
Microsoft made it a point of making the upgrade to the latest version of their OS worthwhile for both old and new Windows users. You do not, however, need to take the plunge to Windows 11 if you do not feel ready for it. Consider whether any of the new Windows 11 features will make a difference to your productivity and to the way in which you work.
If you do need help making the most of the technology in your business or organisation. Start by getting a FREE IT HEALTH CHECK from Connected Platforms. Call us on (07) 3062 6932 or contact us online, and ask us about our managed IT services and how they can help you increase the productivity in your business.
Based on the original article published by The Technology Press.
Image: Pixabay
