Windows 11 24H2 (26100.2605)/ 23H2 (22631.4602)

Windows 11 is a major version of the Windows NT operating system developed by Microsoft. It introduces significant changes to the Windows shell, influenced by the canceled Windows 10X. These changes include a redesigned Start menu and the replacement of the traditional “live tiles” with a separate “Widgets” panel on the taskbar.

Also, it offers the ability to create tiled sets of windows that can be minimized and restored from the taskbar as a group. New gaming technologies are inherited from the Xbox Series X and Series S similar to Auto HDR and DirectStorage on suitable hardware. The Blink has replaced Internet Explorer (IE) engine-based Microsoft Edge.

Microsoft increased the hardware requirements compared to Windows 10. Now it supports only the operating system with updates on devices using an eighth-generation Intel Core CPU or newer (with some exceptions). Also, AMD Ryzen CPUs must be based on the Zen+ microarchitecture or newer, or Qualcomm Snapdragon 850 ARM system-on-chip or newer. Windows 11 is built for UEFI secure boot and Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 support. Additionally, Windows 11 no longer supports 32-bit x86 architecture or systems using BIOS firmware.

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To fully appreciate the magic of Windows 11, you must experience it firsthand. Windows 11 offers more features, including Chat with Microsoft Teams and Android apps in the Microsoft Store, which will be available in the coming months as they become ready for you.

Beautiful, fresh, calm visuals and sounds

From rounded corners to the centering of content and new animations, this new visual design extends throughout multiple areas of Windows 11. Here are some key highlights that you will notice after installing this build:

• Start organizing everything you want on your PC in the center, featuring a set of pinned applications and a cloud-powered “Recommended” section. It displays the files you recently opened on each of your PCs and across all your devices, such as your smartphone, via OneDrive.
• Taskbar: The taskbar can also be centered on beautiful new animations. Try pinning, launching, switching, minimizing, and rearranging your applications on Taskbar to see the gorgeous new animations.
• Notification Center & Quick Settings: The lower right corner of the Taskbar has a button for Notification Center (WIN + N) and Quick Settings (WIN + A). The Notification Center stores all your notifications within the OS and a full-month calendar view.
• File Explorer: File Explorer has been updated with a modern, clean look and a brand-new command bar. Additionally, newly designed context menus appear when right-clicking in File Explorer or on your desktop. App developers can now extend these new context menus.
• Themes: Along with the new default themes for Windows 11 in both dark and light modes, four extra themes are included to help you customize Windows to your preference. All of the new themes are designed to complement the centered Taskbar. To change your theme, right-click on your desktop and select ‘Personalize.’
• Sounds: The sounds in Windows 11 are now lighter and more atmospheric. They also vary slightly depending on whether your Windows theme is set to dark or light mode. The startup sound has returned, which you’ll hear when your PC boots up.

Widgets

Widgets bring you closer to the information you want and need. Click the widget icon on the Taskbar, swipe from the left using touch, or press WIN + W on your keyboard to have your widgets slide out from the left side of your desktop. You can personalize your experience by adding or removing widgets, rearranging, resizing, and customizing the content. The current set of widgets focuses on your calendar, weather, local traffic, Microsoft To-Do lists, OneDrive photos, sports and esports, your stock watchlist, and ideas.

Multitasking

Increase your productiveness and creativity with these new multitasking features:

• Snap layouts: Hover your mouse over a window’s maximize button to view available snap layouts, then click on a zone to snap the window. You’ll be guided to snap additional windows into the remaining zones of the layout with the help of the snap assist feature. On screens with smaller dimensions, you can also open the snap layouts flyout using the WIN + Z keyboard shortcut.
• Snap groups: Snap groups let you quickly switch back to your snapped windows. To use this feature, snap at least two application windows on your screen.
• Desktops: It accesses your desktops through Task View (WIN + Tab) on the Taskbar. You can reorder and customize the backgrounds for each desktop.

Docking

When you unlock your laptop computer, the windows in your external monitor will be minimized. When you reconnect your computer to your monitor, Windows will restore everything to its previous position exactly as you had it. You can find the settings for these features under System > Display > Multiple Displays.

Input (touch, inking, and voice)

• Touch Keyboard personalization: To personalize your Windows experience, we have designed 13 new themes for the touch keyboard together with three hardware matching themes that match the Surface colors. A brand-new theme engine allows you to create a completely personalized theme with background images. Based on your feedback, we have also introduced a setting to resize the touch keyboard.
• Voice typing launcher: The new voice typing launcher provides a fast and easy way to start voice typing in a selected text field.
• Improved Touch Gestures: Check out these new on-screen touch gestures to easily switch between applications and desktops with smooth transitions. The gestures are like the touchpad gestures however, they have thoughtful improvements designed particularly for touch.
• Pen menu: If you’re using a digital pen, you can open the pen menu by clicking the pen icon in the lower-right corner of your taskbar. By default, it includes two applications, which you can customize by clicking the gear icon and selecting ‘Edit Pen Menu’.
• Language/Input switcher: You can quickly switch between additional languages and keyboards using a switcher, which will appear in the lower-right corner of your taskbar next to Quick Settings. You can also use the keyboard shortcut WIN + [Spacebar] to toggle between input methods. To add more languages and keyboards, go to Settings > Time & Language > Language & Region, then click on ‘Add a language’ to select your desired languages and keyboards.

Display improvements

• Dynamic Refresh Rate: Dynamic Refresh Rate allows your PC to automatically increase the refresh rate when you are inking or scrolling, providing a smoother experience. It will lower the refresh rate when the laptop is idle to help save power. You can check out DRR on your laptop computer through Settings > System > Display > Advanced display, and under “Choose a refresh rate” choose a “Dynamic” refresh rate.
• Other display improvements coming in Windows 11: Auto HDR, Content adaptive brightness control (CABC) disabling, HDR support for color-managed applications, and HDR certification.

Windows Settings

The new Settings are designed to be beautiful, simple to use, and inclusive of all of your Microsoft experiences in Windows 11. Settings have left-handed navigation that persists between pages. Breadcrumbs have been added as you navigate deeper into Settings to help you keep track of your location and avoid losing your place. These new hero controls span several category pages, including System, Bluetooth and devices, Network and Internet, Personalization, Accounts, and Windows Update.

Wi-Fi 6E Support

Wi-Fi 6E has been added to the Windows ecosystem, enabling Windows OEMs, Wireless IHVs, and ecosystem partners to deliver modern Wi-Fi on new Windows PCs. It is a revolutionary advancement that provides up to three times more Wi-Fi bandwidth and enhances Wi-Fi experiences with faster speeds, improved capacity, reduced latency, and increased security.