Get All Your Windows 11 Information Here! (Features, Price & More)
A new announcement has the PC world buzzing. Microsoft just announced the release of Windows 11 later this year. This upgrade comes roughly four years before Windows 10 is due to hit end of life, which is in October 2025.
Your operating system impacts everything you do, from checking email to running cloud applications, so any upgrade in version is a big deal for home and business users alike.
What can you expect from the Windows 11 update?
First, it’s important to know that this is not as drastic a revamp to the OS as was Windows 10. It is a major upgrade, but you won’t feel like you’re completely in alien territory.
Windows 11 is designed to be a usability, accessibility, and productivity upgrade. You’ll see that Microsoft focused on making things look cleaner and simpler and easier to use.
We’ll go through all the burning questions people have about rollout timing, price, features, and more.
How Much Will Windows 11 Cost?
You won’t have to worry about budgeting for a Windows 11 upgrade when it comes to the cost of the operating system if you already use Windows 10. The upgrade is free to Windows 10 users that have a compatible system.
Where you may end up having to budget is for a new computer if your current PC doesn’t meet the minimum system requirements for the new OS.
Windows 11 minimum requirements are:
- Processor: 1 GHz or faster with 2 or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or SoC
- Memory: 4GM RAM
- Storage: 64GB or larger
- System firmware: UEFI, Secure Boot capable
- TPM: Trusted Platform Module version 2.0
- Graphics card: DirectX 12 compatible
- Display >9” with HD Resolution
- Internet connection and Microsoft Account
Don’t worry if you aren’t sure what all those things mean or where to find them. You can download the Microsoft PC Health Check App and run that to quickly see if your computer can be upgraded to Windows 11.
Top Windows 11 Features You’ll Get Excited About
One-Click Video Calls with Teams
Microsoft has been adding a lot of video calling features to MS Teams lately and has been positioning the app to take over from Skype. Skype for Business is being retired on July 31, 2021.
Windows 11 continues the Teams push and has it natively integrated. You’ll see a Teams icon on the taskbar and can use that to make quick video or chat connections, without having to open the entire Teams application.
All Windows 11 images are courtesy of Microsoft
Cleaner, Simpler Start Menu
The Start menu, which got a major overhaul with Windows 10, is getting another facelift with Windows 11. It’s more simplified and distraction-free. The search bar has been moved from the taskbar to the top of the Start menu. You can also pin your most-used apps and settings at the top.
The Windows icon to access the Start menu has also been moved. It’s now in the middle of the taskbar next to the other icons.
More Accessibility Features
Microsoft describes Windows 11 as its most accessible OS ever. It has included new color filters, contrast themes for those that are light-sensitive, and more. You’ll also find the accessibility features more easily in the settings menu.
Another new feature that all users will enjoy is Windows Voice Typing, a new transcription tool that can even intuitively enter punctuation as it’s transcribing.
Snap Layouts
Tired of struggling to position two or three windows on a screen so you can see them all? Snap layouts provides six different options for instantly snapping windows in place for an optimized view and easier workflow.
More Themes
Windows 11 uses eye-pleasing rounded corners for a more “Zen” vibe all around. You also get more themes to choose from for decorating your desktop just the way you like.
Curated News Feed & Widgets
You’ll have access to a curated news feed and widgets for things like your calendar and contacts. You can access your feed from the desktop to get weather, headlines, app previews, and more.
When is Windows 11 Going to Be Available?
Microsoft has said that Windows 11 is due to be rolled out around the holidays at the end of the year and possibly into early 2022. However, there are rumors in computer land that it may come as early as October 2021.
Some of the clues that have people wondering about an October release date include the fact that Walmart is advertising a “free Upgrade to Windows October 2021, when available” for some of its laptops. Additionally, some of the press images for Windows 11 show a date of Oct. 20 on the taskbar.
You can be sure that Quantum will let you know as soon as the OS is available.
Get Your Office Ready Now for a Smooth OS Upgrade
Quantum PC Services can help your Sturgeon Bay area home or business upgrade smoothly to Windows 11 without a hitch.
Contact us today to learn more! Call 920-256-1214 or reach us online.
