Windows 11 is available as a free upgrade for those still on Windows 10. But, before you go grabbing that download, find out all the important information about this brand new OS. We've covered all the important questions, such as the operating system's best features, how to download it, and its price and release date.
If you want to leap already, here's how to download and
install Windows 11 on your PC or Windows laptop. Since it is pretty new, some
kinks still need to work out, so take a look at how to fix common Windows 11
problems if you encounter any issues.
Make sure also to take a look at our Windows 11 review, where we cover all the improvements the new OS has made, from offering an
updated, attractive design to new ways to grab apps as well as better security
features. While there is still some room for improvement, Windows 11 is
turning out to be a very promising update. And, if you're currently using
Windows 10, it's free to upgrade to 11, as long as your computer meets certain
strict minimum system requirements required for the sake of the operating
system's security.
Just bear in mind that there's still some confusion as to
what these system requirements are due to a component called TPM (Trusted
Platform Module). It looks like Microsoft isn't going to budge on its
requirement that your device is equipped with a TPM 2.0 to run a fully
supported version of the new OS. As we head into its first available
anniversary, we're already looking at its next major update, codenamed Sun
Valley 2. Now that Windows 11 has been released let's take a look at
what the new operating system has on offer, from its updated features to the
benefits it has for users over Windows 10.
Windows 11: Cut to the chase
What is it? Windows 11 is
the successor to Windows 10
When did it come out?
October 5
How much does it cost? Free
(if you already have Windows 10).
Microsoft launched Windows
11 on October 5 as a free upgrade, though some people were able to install it a
day early on October 4.
Microsoft will be rolling out the update to eligible devices
over the coming months, with users being notified when the update is available
for them.
However, you can also download Windows 11 from the Windows 11 download page.
Many laptop and PC makers have also confirmed that many of their new products will come with Windows 11 preinstalled. This includes Microsoft's new Surface Pro 8, Surface Go 3 and Surface Laptop Studio devices, which coincide with Windows 11's release date.
There will also be a yearly
update of the new operating system, similar to Apple's efforts with macOS.
While Microsoft released a tool that allowed you to see if
your desktop PC or laptop would be able to run Windows 11, it was confirmed to
be buggy, giving erroneous results for machines that would have no problem
running the update. However, another tool has been released, which gives you
much clearer detail about how eligible for PC is.
Windows 11 Recovery screen, showing the rollback to Windows
10 unavailable.
Windows 11 system requirements.
There have been many
discussions about which devices are eligible for Windows 11. Regardless of the
TPM requirement, others are simply wondering if they need to look to upgrade
their PC or laptop soon.
Microsoft has published the requirements for the update,
which you view below:
Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with at least two
cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or SoC.
RAM: 4GB.
Storage: 64GB.
System Firmware: UEFI, Secure
Boot capable.
TPM: Trusted Platform
Module 2.0.
Graphics Card: DirectX 12
or later with WDDM 2.0 driver.
Display: 720p, 8-bit per color channel, at least 9-inch diagonal.
Internet
Connection and Microsoft Account: Windows 11 Home requires an active internet
connection and a Microsoft Account to complete the initial, first-use setup of
the operating system or switch a device out of Windows 11 Home in S-mode.
We have a handy guide on downloading Windows 11, which gives
you all the information you need now that the final version has been released.
It's a relatively simple process, as long as your PC meets Windows 11's minimum
system requirements.
Windows 11 update
showing as available.
There's also an option to downgrade to Windows 10 if you are
experiencing issues with Windows 11. This is available in the current Insider
builds, but you can only do it within 10 days of upgrading your machine.
Otherwise, a clean install has to be done to go to Windows 10.
How to download
Windows 11 ISO for a clean install.
If you'd like to perform a
fresh install of Windows 11 rather than upgrading from Windows 10 (or earlier),
you'll need to download the Windows 11 ISO file. Doing a clean install
takes a bit more time, and you'll need to reinstall all of your apps and
restore your files if you've backed them up (which you should do before you
start), but there are many benefits of doing a clean install of Windows 11.
For a start, you'll get a
much better-performing PC, and if you are encountering any issues with Windows
10, a clean install can help fix some of them. Over the years, your PC's hard
drive may become filled with unwanted apps and files, so that a clean install
can eliminate that. If that's the way you want to install the operating
system, check out our guide on downloading the Windows 11 ISO for more advice.
How to upgrade to
Windows 11 without TPM 2.0.
Some people have found that
they cannot install Windows 11 due to the requirement for PCs to have TPM 2.0
support. This is a relatively little-known security feature, but it's
caused some people a fair bit of frustration as they've found they've been
unable to install Windows 11.
We have a guide to enable TPM 2.0 if needed, but you may be
out of luck if your PC doesn't support it. However, there is a way to
upgrade to Windows 11 without TPM 2.0, but this should only be done by people
desperate to run Windows 11 despite not meeting the system requirements.
Back view of a man using a laptop with Windows 11's Microsoft Store app open.
How to downgrade from
Windows 11 to Windows 10.
However, there may be an
occasion where you may need to revert to Windows 10. This could be due to an
app not being compatible yet, or Windows 11 doesn't take kindly to a component
in your PC.
Fortunately, we have a guide ready that can take you through
this, step by step.
Windows 11 price.
Windows 11 is a free update
for existing Windows users-- you'll need to be online to download, install and
activate Home versions. You'll need to have a Microsoft account when installing
it or upgrading your PC or tablet.
Windows 11 will also come preinstalled for free on new PCs
and laptops, though you should check before you buy to make sure. In some
cases, new laptops and PCs may still be sold with Windows 10, and you'll have
to upgrade for free yourself. Windows 11 product keys for fresh installs
will likely go on sale in 2022, but we don't know how much it'll cost. It
could cost as much as Windows 10 licenses originally sold: Windows 10 Home cost
₤ 119.99/$ 139 and Windows 10 Pro sold for ₤ 219.99/$ 199.99, so we could seesimilar prices for Windows 11.
So far, Microsoft has released the hardware requirements for
Windows 11. Still, there's confusion over TPM (Trusted Platform Module) and
whether the company is pushing hard over the minimum threshold for which
devices are eligible to be updated to the new version. While we've got a
handy explainer for you that goes into TPM, hardware vendors can still offer
new machines with Windows 11 that won't need this requirement, albeit with good
reason to.
Should you upgrade to
Windows 11?
Now that Windows 11 is out
and it's a free upgrade, many people will be keen to download it and try it
out. But should you upgrade to Windows 11?
In our opinion, for many people, it'll be worth not
upgrading to Windows 11 just yet. This is because it's still early, and several
problems need fixing first. For example, some people report that Windows 11 is
slowing down their internet connections. Microsoft is aware of most of
these issues and is working on fixes. By holding off from installing Windows 11
for a while, you'll give Microsoft a chance to release updates to fix those
problems. Then, when you finally install Windows 11 in a few weeks or months,
things should run much smoother. We also spoke to several industry
experts, and they all agree that people - and businesses - shouldn't rush to
install Windows 11 just yet.
Sonic Mania was
running on Windows11.
How to run Windows 11 in macOS Monterey. Sometimes,
you may want to have the best of both worlds, especially if your day job
involves running both operating systems. Thankfully we've put together a
guide to show you how to do exactly that.
Windows 11 features.
There are improvements
across the board in Windows 11, with Microsoft promising that updates will be
40% smaller and touting Windows 11 as "the most secure release yet."
The taskbar is optimized for touch and mouse peripherals and
is now renamed the dock.
New multitasking features are also on offer thanks to afeature called Snap Layouts, which enables you to arrange multiple windows
across the screen, not just side by side, but in columns, sections and more.
Windows 11 checker.
There's now a much-improved
health check app found in Settings, where Windows 11 will recommend you turn
down the brightness, such as changing the power saving mode of the battery and
much more.
Windows 11 Health
Check.
Another feature is Snap Groups, where you can go back to previously
snapped windows from the dock. For example, you can go to your email app, Edge
browser windows or anything else without having to snap them back to the
previous view again. There's also improved multi-monitor support, so
when you reconnect an external monitor, Windows 11 remembers the previous
positions of the windows on that monitor.
There's even an estimated installation time for Windows
Update, so you can see whether you need to hold off from updating your PC until
later in the day. Teams are also integrated into the dock, so you can
easily join meetings and family calls. This looks like the first inkling of
Skype disappearing from Windows, especially with the Skype sounds being heard
in the demo when a call was incoming.
The Microsoft Store in Windows 11 shows Amazon Apps.
The Microsoft Store finally sees a redesign, with
better-curated content and better options for managing your purchased shows,
such as mirroring them to your television. Apps such as Disney+, Adobe Creative
Cloud, Pinterest and more are already in this redesigned store for Windows 11,
ready to go.
WPA, EWP and Win32 apps are now all in the Microsoft Store,
ready to go. If a developer has a commerce engine, they can keep 100% of the
revenue brought from the Microsoft Store.
Android apps are also ready for Windows 11, discoverable
from the Microsoft Store via the Amazon App Store, so you can download TikTok
and more, ready to use on your PC or tablet.
We suspect that the reason why Amazon is allowing their
version of the store instead of Google maybe to do with the.APK filename being
replaced from August.
The new store opens up possibilities for other applications
to arrive in Windows 11, even Apple's iMessage, which could follow iTunes and
Safari.
Windows 11 is showing Edge extensions in the new Microsoft
Store.
Windows 11 Home vs.
Windows 11 Pro.
Depending on what you
currently use your system for, you may need to consider if you will be upgrading
to the standard Home version of Windows 11 or if you need to bump up to Windows
11 Pro, Microsoft's enterprise version of the operating system. Regardless of
your preference, both have the same minimum system requirements, so you'll need
to meet those standards regardless of what version you side with.
There are numerous benefits to Windows 11 Pro, though mostly
security-related to protect businesses and organizations to keep data safe,
with features like Windows Information Protection (abbreviated to WIP). Another
difference you'll see between Windows 11 Home and Pro is when you're setting it
up for the first time, as with the Home version, you'll need to set it up with
an internet connection and a Microsoft account.
Windows 11 doesn't have either of these restrictions, which
may tempt some non-enterprise users into buying the Pro version of the
operating system to avoid using a Microsoft account. Windows 11 Home PCs also
can't be joined to Active Directory, often used on business devices to control
access to certain applications and resources.
You can find a full list of the differences between Windows11 Home and Windows 11 Pro on the official Microsoft comparison page.
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