Windows 11 vs Windows 10: what you need to know

Windows 11, the first major Windows platform update since Windows 10 launched in 2015, is only a few months away. The operating system offers new interface and several features that bring Windows into a post-2020 world with more people working between home and office.

For existing Windows 10 users, Windows 11 will be available as a free update around holiday season 2021 or before, as long as your computer is compatible. (Find if your PC will work with Windows 11 here.) And if you still need to upgrade to Windows 10, don’t worry – a Windows 10 free download trick still works for many people.

Here is everything that has changed from Windows 10 to Windows 11. And be sure to check all of the our favorite new Windows 11 features and how to use them — with everything we wanted to see in Windows 11 but didn’t get.

Windows 10 vs Windows 11: all the big differences in the new operating system

Design and interface

Windows 11 brings a whole new Mac-like interface to the operating system. It features a clean design with rounded corners and pastel tones. the iconic start menu also moves to the center of the screen with the taskbar. But you can move them to the left if you prefer, as they are in Windows 10.

Android application integration

Android apps will arrive on Windows 11, and installable from the new Microsoft Store, via the Amazon Appstore. (There were several ways to access Android apps on Windows 10, including if you had a samsung galaxy phone, but that will make it native.) This is something Windows users have been waiting for for years, and marks another step towards the merger of mobile and portable devices.

Better support for virtual desktops

Windows 11 will let you set up virtual desktops in a way more similar to Macs, switching between multiple desktops at a time for personal, work, school, or gaming use. In Windows 10, it was more difficult to set up and use.

Easier transition from monitor to laptop

The new operating system includes features called Snap Groups and Snap Layouts – collections of apps you use both that are on the taskbar and can appear or be collapsed at the same time for easier task switching. . They also make it easier for you to plug in and unplug a monitor, without losing the location of your open windows.

Microsoft Teams added to taskbar

The teams are getting a new look and will be integrated directly into the Windows 11 taskbar, which will make it easier to access (and a little more like Apple’s FaceTime). You will be able to access teams from Windows, Mac, Android or iOS.

Widgets (well, sort of)

While they’ve been around for quite some time (remember desktop gadgets on Windows Vista?), Including in a Windows 10 recent update, you can now access widgets directly from the taskbar and customize them to see what you want.

Improved touchscreen, voice and stylus support

For tablets, Microsoft has sought to improve the touch experience, with more space between taskbar icons and adding gestures. Windows 11 also adds haptics to your digital pen, so you can hear and feel the vibrations as you use it to take notes or draw. Finally, the operating system introduces voice input and commands throughout the system.

Xbox technology to improve the game

Windows 11 will get some features found in Xbox consoles, like Auto HDR and DirectStorage, to enhance gaming on your Windows PC. This marks a further step towards the integration of PCs and Xbox consoles for Microsoft.

For more information, see everything we know about Windows 11, and how to download windows 11 once available.