Windows 11 – the most important information

On June 24 this year (i.e. in a few days) Microsoft has called a special conference at which it should present its newest child, so – as everyone expects – the Windows 11 operating system. No matter if you plan to “switch” to the new “window” already now, in the future, or maybe you don’t want to part with your current OS. Especially for you, we have collected the most important information about the new system that you should know.

New Windows for Free?

Let’s start with a very important issue for many – how much will it all cost? According to unofficial information, we will be able to download and install the new Windows completely for free – but on one condition. It will be the need to have one of the several older versions of the windows. Microsoft, as in the case of launching Windows 10, will offer a free upgrade of older systems to the latest version. The update should be available from the following systems:

• Windows 10
• Windows 8.1
• Windows 7

For Windows 8, there will be no direct path. However, users who upgrade to 8.1 for free first will be able to get the upgrade successfully for free.

We can assume that the free update, as in the case of the earlier version of the windows, will be limited in time. After a given period, we will have to pay for the update or buy a new Windows 11 license. It will be worth taking advantage of the free period, because Microsoft has already announced the end of support for Windows 10 – more about that later.

New Windows – what will we gain?

• New design – New Windows obviously brings with it a new, refreshed design. The most attention is drawn to the redesigned taskbar, the icons of which are now centered. It looks a bit like macOS. The new Start menu has undergone some changes. Windows 11 from now on will not flood us with various folders or a list of applications in alphabetical order. The Start menu has been redesigned to offer simpler, faster access to our applications that we can naturally pin at our discretion. Tiles have been removed.

• 

• 

• 

Microsoft leaves some freedom to users and gives the possibility to move the start menu button and icons to the left side, as it is in the current Windows 10. The changes have also affected application windows and folders that have been rounded. The appearance of the icons has also changed.

• Easier to use multiple screens – The new Windows 11 interface is very similar to the design of the canceled Windows 10X, which was meant to be dedicated to multi-screen devices. Microsoft will finally respond to feedback from Windows users who demanded improvements in multi-screen support. In the system settings under the Display tab, new options will appear that will allow you to activate the remembering of the layout and location of the windows based on how many monitors are connected. This is very helpful, because if you regularly disconnect your laptop from the external screen to work elsewhere, it is not always possible to restore the exact same environment when you return. The second novelty is the automatic minimization of application windows that were open on the external screen after it was disconnected. What’s more, in Windows 11 it will be possible to hover the mouse cursor over the window maximization button, where after a while a small balloon will appear, inside which there are six options to choose from. Each of them is illustrated with a preview of the window layout that you can use.

• 

• 

• Greater efficiency – The big update for Windows 10, planned for October 2021, brings not only far-reaching changes to the interface. It turns out that Windows 11 already at the testing stage offers greater performance and makes much better use of the hardware – even compared to the stable version of Windows 10. Numerous benchmarks have shown faster loading times, better use of processor cores and SSDs.

New Windows – what will we lose?

If it is so good, why are there different opinions about Windows 11 on the web, although it has not even made its debut yet? Well, as it usually happens, new solutions have their supporters and opponents.

• there may be problems with running older applications and drivers – Microsoft tries to make the product reach as many recipients as possible, but it is not always good for them. The giant from Redmond, unlike other manufacturers, pays a lot of attention to backward compatibility – so that updating the operating system is as painless as possible and older programs and drivers also work flawlessly on newer Windows. However, with such a large number of programs and hardware configurations – despite numerous tests – not everything works properly on the day of the premiere and sometimes errors appear

• end of Windows 10 support – Another disadvantage of the new system is the gradual reduction of work on the currently working Windows. Microsoft has already officially announced the end of Windows 10 support for October 2025.

This is a natural course of events, as Microsoft has to focus on developing the most up-to-date system over time, rather than splitting up on older Windows versions. This forces users to switch to a new window – which does not suit everyone. However, the lack of support and updates makes the system less secure.

Summarizing – what awaits us?

As a rule, the new system is a great unknown and, as always, uncertainty raises concerns. However, on paper, the new Windows looks very good – greater efficiency, simplified operation and greater comfort of working on multiple screens is something that current users are definitely looking for and what they are counting on. However, a lot of information about the new window is so far unofficial leaks and we will find out everything in a few days after the official Microsoft conference and after installing the new window on our own equipment.