For the majority of users, Windows 11 is worth the update. Numerous new features, performance enhancements, and design modifications are included. It typically garners more attention than Windows 10 as the most recent Windows operating system.
Microsoft made the decision to make its newest operating system resemble a Mac more. Windows 11 does appear significantly different from earlier versions of Windows, with the taskbar permanently positioned at the bottom, the icons centered, and the start menu functioning as a popup menu like Linux.
Pros of Windows 11
If your machine is able to install it, the new operating system has a number of significant advantages and disadvantages. These could assist you in determining if upgrading to this version of Windows is worthwhile for you or not.
Touchscreen & Pen
The support for Windows 11’s touch screen and pen has also been enhanced. To improve touch and pen navigation, gestures have been introduced. Digital pens that support haptics also receive a slight vibration that simulates the feel of a physical touch. Naturally, Cortana also offers speech help for typing and instructions like opening and dismissing windows or turning off the computer.
Teams
Microsoft Teams, which is now free and part of Windows 11, is also included in version 11. Teams has been given a redesign to better integrate with the taskbar and is now integrated there. Another example of Microsoft taking inspiration from its rival and trying to make it more similar to Apple’s FaceTime. It appears like Microsoft is attempting to catch up to its main rival.
Improved Virtual Desktops
Windows 11 has greater virtual desktop compatibility than its predecessors, including Windows 10, which is one advantage. Windows 11 streamlines the process of setting up multiple desktops, which may be a comfort for mega-multitaskers. Windows 10 and Windows 7 both support multiple desktops (Windows 7 with third-party software like Actual Window Manager). But it won’t be anything revolutionary.
Widgets
Widgets from Windows Vista come to mind, right? Well, sort of, they’re back. Windows 11 comes with built-in widgets that you may attach to a widgets panel. The previous Live Tiles, which were generally unpopular, have been replaced by widgets. It’s a bit of a gimmick, but also quite retro. Nice for anyone who seek a taste of the past. However, there are now only 11 widgets, so it won’t be much of a function for most users.
Improved Multitasking
Another fantastic feature of Windows 11 is Snap Groups and Snap Layouts. Windows 11 significantly improves this process by allowing you to setup groups for snapping, which will make managing multiple desktops, windows, and monitors easier. This is in contrast to earlier versions of Windows that allowed you to snap to the edge, or Windows 10 that allows you to snap and then choose the other window.
In addition to brand-new multitasking grid views, considerably superior layouts, and customisation, it also remembers your layouts so that you don’t have to reposition your windows whenever you undock and redock monitors. This was a Windows 10 irritation and source of frustration.
Convenience Features
Another recent addition is Wake on Voice, which enables you to speak to your computer to wake it up. HelloFace is now integrated, enabling you to log in by facing your computer. Consequences of convenience come at the expense of privacy. A more commodious, albeit more intrusive, computing experience can be had by combining this with Presence, which measures human proximity to the device.
Hardware-Specific Features
Additionally, Windows 11 has a few hardware-specific capabilities that are accessible provided your hardware is compatible with them. This includes Windows Projection, which allows you to project your screen onto a television or another device, and Intelligent Video Conferencing. A WiFi adapter that supports WiFi Direct and WDDM 2.0 compatibility are both necessary for Windows Projection.
Personalization
It both puts back some personalization and subtracts some of it. The start menu still opens in the centre, but you can shift the taskbar from the center to the left, for instance. For those who detest the centered menu, this is a relief. There are a few more dark theme adjustments that Windows 10 does not have, including some windows like the task manager. Although people either adore or dislike the new minor transparency to all the windows.
Android Apps
The greatest and maybe best feature of Windows 11 is that Android apps are now natively supported. You can now directly install Android apps on your PC as a result. The industry could undergo a revolution as a result, and Android app use could increase significantly.
However, in order to use the native Android Apps feature, you will need technology that is powerful enough; fortunately, this is no longer a problem in the modern world. There must be 8GB of RAM, although 16GB is preferred. Older PCs must be upgraded in order to use this feature because an SSD is required. Older laptops won’t work because it requires an i3 8th Gen, AMD Ryzen 3000, Qualcomm Snapdragon 8c, or greater. Additionally, you must have Windows 11 Build 22000.526 or higher (stable channel) to get the feature.
Android Apps 3rd-Party Alternative
The good news is that it has long been possible to run Android apps (although not natively), as shown on Windows 7 in the accompanying image, even if you aren’t using Windows 11 or your hardware isn’t supported. Our preferred Android emulator is NoxPlayer, which you can download for free and use on your laptop or desktop to get the complete Android experience, including native rooting.
NoxPlayer requires that you first open it in order to run the native Android apps, but Windows 11 allows you to launch the apps instantly. On the other hand, NoxPlayer allows you to run apps that require root, whereas Windows 11 requires you to modify the subsystem in order to obtain root, which is complicated and beyond of the reach of many users who wish to utilize Android apps on their computer. Contrarily, NoxPlayer only requires users to check a box in the Settings menu to enable root access, making it simple enough for anyone to use.
Virtualization
Client Hyper-V, which enables for hardware virtualization, is yet another significant hardware-specific feature. Although it was also enabled by Windows 10, this has long been possible with third-party programs like the cost-free VirtualBox. You can add a variety of virtual devices to your virtual machines using Hyper-V, including virtual switches, virtual hard drives, and more.
Improved Settings Panel
Windows 11, in contrast to Windows 10, consolidated all the options onto a single screen so you could quickly see what you wanted to modify. Unlike Windows 10, this is far more user-friendly and intuitive.
Gaming
Additionally, Windows 11 will include some Xbox technology, such as AutoHDR, which will enhance gaming and the visual experience on compatible monitors and displays, and DirectStorage, which will speed up game performance on NVM Express with Shader Model 6.0-compatible devices.
Cons of Windows 11
Windows 11 also includes a number of severe flaws. The biggest issue, aside from compatibility issues, is the taskbar’s subpar performance. The restricted capacity to alter how Windows looks really detracts from the experience for many people who enjoy customization. Maybe we’ve taken the Mac way a little too far.
Microsoft Account
You must utilize a Microsoft account, which is a more significant drawback. You can’t even log into your computer without it because it is so essential. This will greatly repel a lot of users, particularly those who value their privacy.
Potential For Advertisements
If you detest advertisements, you might be alarmed to learn that Microsoft is testing the placement of advertisements in the takbar. In fact, they unintentionally published a testing feature that put the advertising in the taskbar. Although they swiftly apologized and said it was an error, the truth remains that there is a chance you will start seeing intrusive ads within your computer, such in the taskbar, in the future.
Bugs & Glitches
The fact that there are still a lot of errors and malfunctions is a second major drawback. Among these are device compatibility problems, app crashes, and irregular behavior. The stability of Windows 11 is not as good as it was in earlier Windows versions. When looking for specific items, Settings occasionally crashes, Bluetooth occasionally has issues pairing, and Widgets (a throwback to Windows Vista) occasionally doesn’t function as intended. Although it has problems, Windows Sandbox is an useful feature that allows for the testing or running of software in a closed environment.
Design Changes
Last but not least, there have been significant design modifications, which has caused many items to move around. This requires relearning where things are and how to do things for those who have used Windows 7 and 10 over the past ten years, which many people just do not have the time to accomplish. And unlike the problems, Microsoft can’t truly repair this with a fresh version.
How to upgrade windows 7 to windows 11?
Windows 7 and Windows 8 users are not entitled to free upgrades to Windows 11.
It is extremely improbable that your machine satisfies all of these requirements if you use Windows 7 or 8. However, if you have a current PC and decide to run an outdated OS, you can first get a free Windows 10 upgrade and then use that to upgrade to Windows 11.
Although Windows 11 can be tricked into functioning on older PCs, Microsoft is refusing to guarantee access to feature and security upgrades, so this looks like a fruitless endeavor. With that warning out of the way, here’s how to get Windows 11 for free if your PC is eligible.
How to upgrade windows 10 to windows 11?
The easiest choice is this. Easily access Windows Update by going to Start > Settings > Update & Security. If your computer is suitable, Windows 11 should appear when you check for updates. then adhere to the onscreen instructions.
When Windows 11 is prepared, you should see a message saying that you can upgrade for free. To accept the terms, click the Accept and install button after clicking the blue Download and install icon.
The Upgrade to Windows 11 should then show up in Windows Update with a percentage and download progress at that point. Watch for it to finish.
When everything is done, your PC will need to be restarted. It will manifest as a blue box. select Restart now from the menu. Your computer will continue installing Windows 11 and restart several times. You’ll be brought to the Windows 11 desktop once you’re done!
Install Windows 11 through the Installation Assistant
Visit the Windows 11 download page for Microsoft. Click the blue “Download now” button when you see the Windows 11 Installation Assistant option at the top.
Hold off while the tool downloads. When finished, let it go. When prompted, select Yes.
You will have to select Accept and install in the pop-up box. There will be three steps moving forward. Wait for Windows 11 to download before moving on. Depending on the speed of your connection, it can take some time. You may be asked to accept the Microsoft terms and conditions.
The integrity of your download will be checked in the second stage by Windows 11. It ought should take a little while.
You’ll get a prompt about Windows 11 installing in the background in the third step. Wait it out while letting it install. Depending on how quickly your PC is, it could take a while—usually no more than 30 minutes.
Click the Restart now button when the third phase is complete. You will receive a warning before signing out. Wait while Windows 11 is installed and your computer restarts. Depending on the speed, age, and CPU power of your computer, it can take up to 30 minutes or an hour.
Working on updates will be displayed on your screen while Windows 11 is being installed. The progress will be shown as a percentage. Be patient; your computer will restart a few times. Once finished, Windows 11’s desktop will be displayed before you are sent to the sign-in page.
Is Windows 11 free?
The free Windows 11 upgrade from Windows 10 is currently being distributed by Microsoft. Before making the operating system available to other qualifying existing hardware, Microsoft will begin to give the free update to new devices that are still coming with Windows 10.
But not all current Windows 10 PCs will be able to update to Windows 11. TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module) support, Intel 8th Gen Coffee Lake or Zen 2 CPUs, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage are prerequisites for Windows 11. There are unsupported workarounds available if you absolutely want Windows 11, however it prevents millions of PCs from officially upgrading to Windows 11.
As Windows 11 is being gradually rolled out by Microsoft, not all currently supported PCs will be eligible for the free update just yet. By the middle of 2022, Microsoft expects to deliver the Windows 11 upgrade to all currently operating and qualified PCs.
What are the Windows 11 system requirements?
The following specifications must be met before Windows 11 may be installed on a computer. You may not be able to install Windows 11 on your computer if it doesn’t meet these criteria, so you might want to think about getting a new computer.
- Processor: 1 GHz or faster with 2 or more cores, 64-bit compatible processor or System on a Chip (SoC)
- Memory [RAM]: 4 GB
- Disk space: At least 64 GB of available storage on a device
- System firmware: UEFI, Secure Boot capable
- TPM: Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0
- Graphics card: A DirectX 12 or later with WDDM 2.0 driver compatible graphics card
- Display: High definition display, 8 bits per color channel
- Other requirements: Windows 11 Home requires internet connectivity and a Microsoft account
Note: As you can see, Windows 11 now requires a minimum of 64GB of disk space and 4GB of RAM, respectively, in comparison to its forerunners.
Does Windows 11 Use More RAM?
Yes, Windows 11 consumes more RAM than previous Windows releases. This is due to the fact that Windows 11 has a lot of new features and applications that need more memory to function.
Windows 11 typically needs 4 GB of RAM. However, your computer will allocate more resources and increase RAM use if you have several programs running at once or if you are using resource-demanding software.
Is Windows 11 worth it?
For the majority of users, Windows 11 is worth the update. Numerous new features, performance enhancements, and design modifications are included. It typically garners more attention than Windows 10 as the most recent Windows operating system.
Upgrading to Windows 11 carries minimal risk as well. You may easily uninstall Windows 11 and return to Windows 10 with minor preparation. And now that the most recent version is ready, trying it out makes more sense than ever.