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Microsoft Formally Announces Windows 11 Is Arriving by the Holidays

By Laura Tucker
Microsoft Windows 11 Featured

The rumors are true. Microsoft announced on June 24 that Windows 11 would be here by the holidays. The company also previewed the changes coming to the upgraded platform: productivity, connecting, gaming, Microsoft Store, and a clean new design. Are you excited to see what it entails?

Microsoft Windows 11 Announcement

Microsoft had plenty of information to reveal about Windows 11. A new Windows experience, bringing you closer to the people and things you love,” claims MIcrosoft.

Microsoft Windows 11 Announcement

The company also said the big upgrade “provides a calm and creative space” to “pursue your passions” and that it’s “the place to think, express, and create in a natural way.”

It’s no surprise what Microsoft is basing these changes on – Apple is doing the same with iOS and macOS. “The past 18 months brought an incredible shift in how we used our PCS. We went from fitting the PC into our life to trying to fit our whole life into the PC.”

Microsoft Windows 11 Changes

Design

“We’ve simplified the design and user experience to empower your productivity and inspire your creativity.”

The design changes include a new Start button and taskbar and new sounds, fonts, and icons. Start was moved to the center and added the cloud and Microsoft 365 so that you can find your files easier, regardless of the platform or device you were using to work on them last.

Microsoft Windows 11 Design

Other changes include Snap Layouts, Snap Groups, and Desktops to allow for better multitasking. You’ll be able to optimize the information on your screen to find what you want in a way that makes sense to you. Create different Desktops for works, home, school, gaming, etc.

Connect

Microsoft Windows 11 Connect

Microsoft is also providing better, easier ways to connect. Microsoft Teams Chat will now be integrated into the taskbar to instantly connect via text, chat, voice, or video with your contacts, regardless of their platform or device.

Gaming

“If you’re a gamer, Windows 11 is made for you.”

Microsoft Windows 11 Gaming

The update will have DirectX 12 Ultimate for “breathtaking immersive graphics at high frame rates, DirectStorage for faster load times,” and “Auto HDR for a wider, more livid range of colors. Microsoft introduced HDR and DirectStorage in Xbox X/S and is now bringing them to Windows 11.

Widgets

Microsoft Windows 11 Widgets

Windows 11 is bringing Widgets to the desktop: “a new personalized feed powered by AI and best-in-class browser performance from Microsoft Edge.” This personalized feed “slides across your screen like a sheet of glass” so that it won’t disrupt you. It’s a new avenue for creators and publishers to deliver content.

Microsoft Store

The Microsoft Store has been refreshed in Windows 11. Microsoft is promising it will be “simple to use” and will bring more apps. Curated stories and collections will make it easier to find apps, games, movies, etc. It will include both first- and third-party apps and, perhaps most interesting, will also include Android apps for the first time.

Microsoft Windows 11 Store

With Apple in the news for taking a 30 percent cut from developers, Microsoft, while not explaining how it will work, is allowing developers to keep 100 percent revenue while still keeping the 85/15 split at play.

Tablet

If you use Windows on a tablet, there will be a better touch experience, and gestures and haptics are being added. Voice typing is getting improvements as well.

Availability

You’ll have to wait a while before Microsoft Windows 11 will be available, but you can look through the requirements below and see if you will be able to run it on your current system ahead of time.

Microsoft Windows 11 Requirements

Windows 11 will be available for eligible PCs this holiday season. Microsoft promises it’s working with PC manufacturers to make the machines they are selling now meet the requirements for Windows 11.

While you wait, check out the latest Windows 10 update problems and how to fix them. Also learn how to remove bloatware from Windows 10.

Image Credit: Microsoft and Microsoft Newsroom

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Laura Tucker Avatar
Laura Tucker
Laura has spent more than 20 years writing news, reviews, and op-eds, with the majority of those years as an editor as well. She has exclusively used Apple products for the past 35 years. In addition to writing and editing at MTE, she also runs the site’s sponsored review program.

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