Jacob Roach / Digital Trends
window 11is the newest version of Windows , and it ’s one of thebest Windows versionsever released . It draw on its precursor , like Windows 10 , but today it ’s very much its own operating system , with a unique aspect , advanced features , and the most untroubled and unchanging chopine for modern Windows program .
If you ’ve been withstand out on upgrading , or are n’t running the latest translation , we have everything you demand to sleep together about the most recent version of Windows 11 .
Jacob Roach / Digital Trends
Windows 11 2024 update (24H2)
The latest version of Windows 11 , is the2024 update know as 24H2 . It initially rolled out to Windows Insiders in February 2024 , but has since been released to the wide Windows user base take off October 1 . It introduce a number of new and enhanced features to Windows , improving its fundamentals , as well as tot new capabilities , especially those campaign it on Copilot+ PCs and laptop .
The Phone Link app has been added to the Start menu to make it more readily accessible , and include extra information like your phone ’s battery level , connectivity , and any call or message you ’ve receive recently . you could evenuse AI to reply to those subject matter , anduse your headphone ’s tv camera as a webcamfor your video call and conferences .
Windows hunt has been improved and made more accessible , by letting you search for documents and files by using descriptive phrase , rather than just the file ’s name . The mightily - click context card , too , has been made more visceral , with the addition of text label to canonic functions like Cut , Copy , and Rename . Archiving can now also use the old salt and 7z compression format .
Copilot has been expand and further integrated into Windows 11 in this update , too . Its icon is now much like all other apps and can be locomote around , rather than having a dedicated spot in the taskbar . When open up the co-pilot app , it now has its own app Windows , rather than bulge out from the side of the CRT screen .
Copilot+ laptopsand PCs will have the ability to quickly engage AI tasks based on what you ’re doing . For example , if looking at an persona , you may conjure the Windows paint and cluck to bring up a “ come home to do ” context menu for quick communion , or searching on Bing based on that image . If you ’re working within a document , you could do the same to cursorily access procreative text functions and abilities .
They can also use more of the AI functions in Paint . While all Windows 11 users can expend AI to render images , Copilot+ user can useCocreatorto enhance your artwork . Create something yourself , and Cocreator can upscale it , switch the style , or just complete the drawing that you started .
Technically , themuch - maligned Recall featureis part of this update , but due to its arguing , it ’s not been undulate out at the sentence of penning , and will only be available to Insiders first .
Windows Studio Effects adds AI capabilities to video recording calls on Zoom , Google Meet , and Teams , among others . you may use a Quick preferences venire to engage eye - contact filters , to make you look like you ’re look directly at the camera . you could also introduce background result like blur and enhanced ignition .
Live Captioning gives Copilot+ owners that ability to have captions for any mouth audio on their microcomputer , and have it translated into any of 40 different languages . Optional language pack downloads are demand for most nomenclature , however .
Automatic Super Resolution offer something equivalent toFSR and DLSSin plot without support for either . It ’s also usable within the Photo app , which gives you a quick and easy room to upscale an image to make it higher resolution — great for prints or add together detail to older moving-picture show .
window 11 also now bask improved supporting for Bluetooth LE audio and Wi - Fi 7 , a odd unified Teams app ( no more Teams for Work and personal Teams ) , “ HDR Background support , ” lets you have an HDR image as your wallpaper , and Sudo for Windows lets you use higher - level commands within the Command Line .
How to update Windows
If you ’re running Windows 11 and desire to update to the late version , search for “ windowpane update ” and selectCheck for updates . set up the important unity , and when prompted , restart the microcomputer or laptop . You may require to do this several clip , depend on how many update have been release since your last update .
If you ’re play Windows 10 , however , the upgrade process has a few more steps . For starters , you call for to verify that your microcomputer or laptop computer encounter the Windows 11 system requirements .
If you may meet or exceed those comparatively small-scale specifications , you should be absolutely fine .
There are a few dissimilar ways you may update to Windows 11 , though . The most straightforward is just to run Windows Update and select to download and install Windows 11 . However , if you require extra help , or would rather raise a dissimilar means , keep an eye on our template onhow to upgrade to Windows 11 .
Differences between Windows 11 and Windows 10
window 11 draws a good deal from Windows 10 in its design , but it is both quite distinct in its layout and in its features . There are comparatively small change , like a raw Start bill of fare and Taskbar , as well as some delimit features .
Better design and features
Windows 11 get a with child optical departure for Microsoft . In the newer operating system , Microsoft centre the Taskbar and the Start bill of fare on the covert . This make it look a bit more like macOS and ChromeOS . However , you may still move it back to the left if you want .
But if you want to pin your Taskbar to the right or the left hand of the blind , then we have sorry news . you’re able to no longer do that natively , as in Windows 11 , the Taskbar only stays on the bottom . Paid third - company apps likeStart11 can change itif you want , however .
Outside of the principal visual change , Windows 11 comes with rounded corner on windows , new app picture , andnew Fluent Emojis , which are undivided to Windows 11 . Still , Windows 11 has n’t seen the3D emojis Microsoft teasedduring the initial launching .
There are multiple small-scale feature summation , as well , including lively captions for your browser app and Focus modal value , which take into account you to customize notification options for a set fourth dimension while you work .
One big area Microsoft has focused on is File Explorer . The latest update bestow tabs , and Microsoft is reportedly prepping a declamatory redesign of File Explorer in 2023 . This redesign is say to bring Microsoft services and OneDrive into File Explorer , as well as a new detail menu when you select a file or booklet .
Start menu and Taskbar
The Start menu in Windows 11 it is a bit more simplistic . You only see a static list of apps , followed by your most frequented documents at the bottom . Critically , Live Tiles are gone in Windows 11 , which makes the Start menu look much healthy .
As for the Taskbar , Microsoft has crack the hunting box into an icon and also get rid of the Cortana function in Windows 11 . This spot isnow reserved for Copilot , though you’re able to now move that icon around on the taskbar as you wish well , thanks to the 24H2 update . You ’ll also find a consecrate image forMicrosoft Teamsin the Taskbar , which is integrated into Windows 11 . You ’re gratuitous to remove the ikon if you do n’t apply Teams , though .
The other big change also involves moving the weather in the Taskbar to the unexpended side of the covert . This was known as News and Interests in Windows 10 , but in Windows 11 , that gets put back by Widgets ( read our roundup of thebest Windows 11 thingummy ) . You ’ll still see the weather , but you ’ll also see other things like your pet word , sport score , dealings , and more .
Windows 11 bring out Virtual Desktops as well , which allow you to maintain separate desktop workspaces for work , gaming , or whatever else you want .
Improved gaming features
If you want the best Windows osmium for gaming , Windows 11 is for you . It ’s received legion update to improve play performance , and it supports feature like Auto HDR and DirectStorage , that helps game load quicker .
Some of these features , like DirectStorage , are uncommitted on Windows 10 as well . Microsoft has made it clear thatgaming is a with child focusfor Windows 11 , so it ’s the better political platform for gamers now , especially with some of the performance glitch worked out .
Microsoftadded enhanced refresh charge per unit supportin Windows 11 in 2023 , fixing issue for gamers with multiple monitors . More claim confirm DirectStorage , as well , such asRatchet and Clank Rift Apart .
AlthoughWindows 10 is still arguably more popular for play , Windows 11 is getting better all the time . Here’show to optimize it to make it even well .
Snap Layouts and multitasking
The multitasking improvements in Windows 11 are exclusive ; they are n’t being backported to Windows 10 . In Windows 11 , you could increase your multitasking and system of rules performancewith Snap Layoutsthat chemical group your windows and pull through them to the taskbar . This is available in Windows 10 , but Windows 11 makes it easier to access Snap Layouts and provides more configurations . Microsoft hasupdated Snap Layoutswith even more functionality since its launching , too .
Windows 11 solves abig proceeds with multi - monitor setups , too . Windows 11 think back how you had your window on your external monitor and will save up them in that United States Department of State when you disconnect from a proctor and then plug away it back in . This is one of the most annoying problems with Windows 10 that Windows 11 finally address .
Copilot
One of the biggest and latest update to Windows 11 , was the origination of AI through Copilot . Microsoft is packing AI feature into Windows 11 , and none of those features are going back to Windows 10 . Some of the most telling AI features are n’t even usable to all Windows 11 PCs .
All of these features fall under theCopilotbanner , which is Microsoft ’s AI chatbot . It lead on the same backbone asChatGPT , and in Windows 11 , it ’s integrate into the OS . You ’ll find a Copilot icon in the taskbar that you’re able to spread out . Beyond being a version of Bing Chat on your desktop , Copilot can take prompting from your clipboard , as well as interact with plug - ins .
Windows 10 does n’t get Copilot , at least not on the desktop . you could still get at Copilot through Microsoft Edge , but you do n’t get access to the clipboard sharing available in Windows 11 .
In addition , Windows 11 is the only OS with access toCopilot+ feature . This is a new class of machine that includes several AI feature that run locally . The most large isRecall , which take a snapshot of everything you do on your PC . It ’s like normal Copilot , but with your personal context build in . Recall and other Copilot+ feature not only require the latest version of Windows 11 but alsospecific hardware .
Enhanced tablet mode
window 10 has a traditional tablet modality that induce your PC go to a full - covert Start computer menu experience . In Windows 11 , this is take out . Instead , Windows 11 behaves more like an iPad , where when you flip-flop your twist to a tablet , things become easier to touch . That include new gesture for launch the Start menu , dismiss windows , and more , none of which are present in Windows 10 . In addition to tab , this feature has pad Windows 11 devices like theAsus ROG Ally .
In addition , Windows 11 work deeper pen functionality . you could still apply Whiteboard to collaborate visually , but Windows 11 also brings support for up to four app crosscut through your pen .
Voice navigation is also improved in Windows 11 , allowing you to use your phonation to launch apps , insert keyboard and mouse inputs , control the operating organization , and basically anything else you could take . In scant , Windows 11 allows you to full control the atomic number 76 with your voice .
Performance
window 11 does a lot of work in memory direction to favor the app windows you have clear and running in the foreground . This should check that they get more processor power over other system resource . Windows 11 also suspends some data in RAM while your PC rest , helping it waken from sopor 25 % quicker than Windows 10 , and has enhanced programming to execute well with multi - architecture CPUs , like Intel’slatest Arrow Lake chip .
Microsoft has total performance improvement since launch . In 2022 , Windows 11 receive an update thatboosted solid - state thrust ( SSD ) speeds , for example .
window 11 is snappy than Windows 10 , but the dispute are modest in real - globe use . The various optimization in Windows 11 help it to run quicker on weak laptops , but you ’re not giving up a gross ton of performance with Windows 10 .
Collaboration and remote work
you could use Windows 11 or Windows 10 for outback workplace , butWindows 11 ’s collaboration featuresare much better . It support background blur , center contact adjustments for merging , and automatic framing — none of which are present on Windows 10 .
These AI - powered features are usable through Microsoft Teams , though some of them may count on the computer hardware you have on your calculator .
Android apps
One of the defining features of Windows 11 when it first launched was Android app living . Although you may stillinstall Android apps on Windows 11 , the marketplace for these apps ( the Amazon App Store ) will close down on March 5 , 2025 . You ’ll still be able to habituate apps that you ’ve already set up beyond that point , but the shopfront will no longer be approachable .
Android apps separated Windows 11 from Windows 10 in a big fashion , but that ’s commute soon . If you were hoping to raise to Windows 11 to habituate your favorite Android apps , you ’ll be disappointed .
Differences between Windows and Mac
window 11 and MacOS are very different operating system that yet reach much the same : provide a flying and stable platform that ’s feature article - rich , and open of running all the apps you need . However , the way they operate is distinct , which mean that the direction you do things on either can be quite dissimilar .
The Windows 11 Taskbar functions a lot like a mix of the macOS Dock and computer menu bar , and the inclusion of the Start Menu takes the place of Launchpad . Finder and File Explorer share a luck in common , though .
Some important distinctions come up up rapidly , though , once you dig into the operating organisation . For case , the room youtake a screenshot on a Mac , is quite dissimilar fromhow you take a screenshot on Windows . WhereWindows has screen snapping , macOS has Split Views . Thebest keyboard shortcuts on Macare decided fromthose on Windows , even if they do much the same thing . Most importantly , the Command key and Control key subroutine similarly but are on a different spot on your keyboard .
You also have admission to very different apps on each platform . While there are plenty that work on both widow woman and macOS , there are also a number that are specific . terminal Cut Pro and Logic Pro are big examplesof Mac exclusives , but do n’t block Apple ’s various power apps , like Pages , where Windows has Microsoft 365 apps , like Word . play is inarguably ripe on Windows , too , with bully biz compatibility and good sustenance for gamey - ending graphics cards .
Windows has co-pilot , while macOShas Apple Intelligenceand the newfangled integration of ChatGPT .
