He also acknowledged the expansion of Microsoft Store to include more "traditional" desktop applications. Cunningham concluded that "as I've dug into and learned its ins and outs for this review, I've warmed to it more", but argued that the OS was facing similar "public perception" issues to Windows Vista and Windows 8. If your existing Windows 10 PC is running Windows 10 20H1 or later and meets the minimum hardware specificationsit will be able to upgrade to Windows 11. The upgrade rollout plan is still being finalized, but for most devices already in use today, we expect it to be ready sometime in early 2022. Not all Windows 10 PCs that are eligible to upgrade will be offered to upgrade at the same time. To see if your PC is eligible to upgrade, refer to our knowledge base for a list of tested systems.
Once the upgrade rollout has started, you can check if it is ready for your device by going to Settings/Windows Updates. Similar to how end users are notified when updates are available in Windows 10, end users will see an indication in the notification areas of the taskbar in the bottom right, that the upgrade is available. More information on how that is presented will be available at a later date. Additional desktop notification options may be also be added at a later date. If you have a device running Windows 7, you can upgrade it to Windows 11 without losing your files using the ISO file, but the process will require a complete reinstallation.
This means that your apps and settings won't carry over to the new installation. However, before you upgrade to Windows 11 from Windows 7, you will have to check that the laptop or desktop meets the minimum system requirements. For instance, the computer must include a motherboard with UEFI firmware, and the processor must be an Intel's 8th Gen or newer or an AMD Zen 2 or newer. Also, the computer needs TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, at least 64GB of storage, and 4GB of RAM. Original equipment manufacturers can still ship computers without a TPM 2.0 coprocessor upon Microsoft's approval.
Some third-party software may refuse to run on "unsupported" configurations of Windows 11. Internet Explorer has been replaced by the Chromium-based Microsoft Edge as the default web browser like its predecessor, Windows 10, and Microsoft Teams is integrated into the Windows shell. Microsoft also announced plans to allow more flexibility in software that can be distributed via Microsoft Store, and to support Android apps on Windows 11 . As part of the minimum system requirements, Windows 11 only runs on devices with a Trusted Platform Module 2.0 security coprocessor. According to Microsoft, the TPM 2.0 coprocessor is a "critical building block" for protection against firmware and hardware attacks. In addition, Microsoft now requires devices with Windows 11 to include virtualization-based security , hypervisor-protected code integrity , and Secure Boot built-in and enabled by default.
The operating system also features hardware-enforced stack protection for supported Intel and AMD processors for protection against zero-day exploits. In October 2019, Microsoft announced "Windows 10X", a future edition of Windows 10 designed exclusively for dual-touchscreen devices such as the then-upcoming Surface Neo. Legacy Windows applications would also be required to run in "containers" to ensure performance and power optimization. Microsoft stated that it planned to release Windows 10X devices by the end of 2020. One of the nice features that Windows has is the ability to organize app windows on your screen.
With Windows 10, if you drag a window all to the right or left, it will take over half the screen, and you can create a split-screen view, which is nice if you're working on two pages at the same time. Now, with the Windows 11 upgrade, you have a little more control in arranging your open websites and apps through the Snap Layout option. Hover your mouse over the "Maximize Window" button on the top corner of the window, and a layout display will open. You can choose what type of layout you want, whether it's just split-screen or if you want to have four separate windows open at once. Windows will take your screen size into account, showing the different layout options to choose from.
Can You Download Windows 11 For Free According to Microsoft, if users have these specifications, they can try out many Windows 11 tools with the developer's program. This includes a revamped Start, Taskbar, and Action Centre experience as well as a new Microsoft Store app, redesigned settings, lock screen, File Explorer and more. Also warned that some features may not work, and the user may have to face unknown issues. As an update, Microsoft will no longer include Cortana in the taskbar and the Internet Explorer browser in Windows 11 Update.
Apart from this, S Mode is now available only for Windows 11 Home Edition. Navigate to the downloaded Windows 11 ISO file, and select it. Rufus will populate the rest of the settings, which you have to change according to your system of choice.Under the Image Options label, select Extended Windows 11 in installation (no TPM / no Secure Boot).
You should see the Target System label reflect your BIOS Mode as you switch the Partition Scheme.If you have a rather old 64-bit system you're attempting this on, check the Add fixes for old BIOSes option. The official, release version of Windows 11 is now available as a free upgrade to anyone who has Windows 10 and a PC that meets Microsoft's minimum hardware requirements. However, the Redmond software giant isn't pushing the upgrade to every eligible system at once. Some users will be offered the option to upgrade in their Settings menu on or around the October 5th official launch date while others may be waiting until 2022. Microsoft is soon going to launch its new Windows 11 and if you are a Windows 10 user, an upgrade to the new operating system would be free. The official release date is not out yet, but Windows 11 is expected to arrive in the 2021 holiday season, sometime in the coming months.
As soon as it arrives, users will be able to update to the new operating system just like how it was done with Windows 10. As long as your desktop or laptop meets the minimum requirements. It's also worth noting that you're going to have to roll back to Windows 10 when Windows 11 exits beta testing and you don't meet the minimum requirements. To check if your PC is eligible, you can use Microsoft's PC Health app or read the company's documentation on supported CPUs.
The restrictions are lifted only if you've been installing builds from the Dev Channel through June 24, 2021. Microsoft has yet released an official statement regarding the pricing of Windows, or whether it will be a free upgrade like the previous versions were free updates for license holders. However, as per an article by Android Authority, Windows 11 will most likely be a free upgrade for individuals using Windows 10 or Windows 8 with valid licenses.
The Windows 11 free upgrade will be installed onto your computer/laptop just like any other Windows update, without any hassle or manual updation required. The article by Android Authority also states that all of your personal user data and settings will be preserved in the update and will be applied to the Windows 11 update. Windows 11 download will be available once Microsoft released the update publicly. If you don't want access to early builds in the future, just select 'Stop getting preview builds' from that same Windows Insider Program settings menu. Make sure you choose 'Unenroll this device when the next version of Windows releases', otherwise you'll have to clean install Windows 10 again.
Windows 11, the next version of Microsoft's desktop OS, is here! Redesigned from the ground up, Windows 11brings modern aesthetics and new features to an aging platform. If your PC meets the minimum requirements then you'll have the option to manually update to Windows 11 today, or you could wait for the update to arrive on your system .
If your gaming laptop or PC meets Microsoft's minimum system requirements, you'll be able to install Windows 11 onto its SSD or hard drive. It is possible to install the operating system on unsupported hardware but doing means you won't have access to Windows Updates, and your desktop will be brandished with a watermark. Once you're up and running on Windows 11, the first thing you need to do is head to the Microsoft Store app and check for updates to ensure that you have the latest versions of all the pre-installed Windows 11 apps.
Once that's done, you should also head to Windows Update in the new Settings app and check for updates there to ensure you have the latest drivers designed for Windows 11. Citing security considerations, the system requirements for Windows 11 were increased over Windows 10. While the OS can be installed on unsupported processors, Microsoft does not guarantee the availability of updates. Windows 11 removed support for 32-bit x86 CPUs and devices which use BIOS firmware.
It's not imperative that you upgrade your system to Windows in the next couple of weeks, or even months. For many people, that's about the time to upgrade to a newer device, one that will come with Windows 11 already installed. To put it precisely, if your PC or laptop has a 7th Gen Intel Core or AMD Zen 1 processor and meets other hardware requirements, it will run the Windows 11 preview build. The stable build of Windows 11 will, however, not support these two CPU families, according to what Microsoft has necessitated at this moment.
But Microsoft may change its stance at the time of release depending on the feedback that it will get on the Windows 11 preview build. Microsoft makes you accept that the company can stop providing updates, and security patches to Windows 11 on these devices. While Microsoft is unlikely to do that in practice, it's still better to be on the safer side. Also, you're likely to run into driver incompatibility issues on unsupported devices. Especially, if your computer is running hardware that is more than 5-6 years old. If you're using Windows 7 or 8.1, the situation is a bit more complicated.
Microsoft hasn't mentioned Windows 7 or 8.1, but the leaked Windows 11 build contains configuration files meant for users upgrading from these versions of Windows. Windows 10 was a free upgrade for Windows 7 and 8.1, so it could be the same here. Of course, you'll have to meet the system requirements, and if you have an old device like that, that's gonna be harder.
If you're using Windows 10, installing Windows 11 will feel just like installing a Windows 10 feature update. Microsoft has said exactly that, which means the upgrade process should be pretty easy. It's also been confirmed that Windows 11 will be a free update for Windows 10 users, as long as their PC is compatible. The free upgrade will start rolling out this holiday and it has no set end date yet, so you should be able to upgrade whenever you feel ready. Windows 11 has been rolled out as an upgrade to Windows 10, with Microsoft offering a seamless process to simply transition to the new version without losing your data. Again, this update is only available to computers that meet the minimum system requirements and are running a licensed version of Windows 10.
I still think next version of windows will be better and I only care about what I can run on it so I don't care much about UIs and stuff like that like some people do and make drama about. The connected boot disc should prompt your rig to display a boot menu, allowing you to select your DVD drive or USB stick. Doing this will instruct the machine to load Windows install files, rather than diverting to a BIOS settings screen. You'll be greeted by a familiar Windows logo, followed by an installation wizard that will kickstart the final stretch of the process. Windows 11 SE was announced on November 9, 2021, as an edition exclusively for low-end devices sold in the education market, and a successor to Windows 10 S.
It is bundled with applications such as Microsoft Office for Microsoft 365, Minecraft Education Edition, and Flipgrid, while OneDrive is used to save files by default. Windows 11 SE does not include Microsoft Store; third-party software is provisioned or installed by administrators. Windows 11, the first major Windows release since 2015, builds upon its predecessor by revamping the user interface to follow Microsoft's new Fluent Design guidelines. The redesign, which focuses on ease of use and flexibility, comes alongside new productivity and social features and updates to security and accessibility, addressing some of the deficiencies of Windows 10. There is a way to install Windows 11 on unsupported hardware, but we wouldn't recommend it. Although Microsoft hasn't confirmed it, the company has heavily implied that unsupported users won't receive critical security updates.
If you still want to install, you can do so using the Media Creation Tool, which bypasses hardware checks. There are many users who, after the release of Windows 11, went ahead and checked whether their PC is eligible to be upgraded with Windows 11. Sadly, they found out that their PC does not meet the minimum requirements to install Windows 11. In this case, the question arises what options are left then?
To put it simply, the best option here is to buy a new PC before the deadline, i.e. 2025. There are a few risks that come along with not updating to Windows 11, these include losing out on the latest features, security updates, patches, and compatibility with upcoming security features and applications. Many games that use Anti-cheat tools also have started relying on Windows 11 security features to provide fair gameplay. While these games still work on Windows 10, it is only a matter of time before Windows 11 ends up becoming a requirement. (Pocket-lint) - Windows 11 is now rolling out as a free upgrade for Windows 10 users.
That means you should be able to download and use Windows 11 right now - as long as your PC meets the minimum system requirements. The quickest way to get the latest version of Windows from Microsoft is to download the operating system update over the air for free, or you can go the more expensive route and buy a new Windows PC or laptop. Microsoft continues to test new features and improvements after Windows 11 was released. It only tests the latest version of Windows with members who participate in the Windows Insider Program in the Dev, Beta and Release Preview channels. For both types of upgrades, head to Microsoft's Windows 11 download page. To perform an in-place upgrade, use the Windows 11 Installation Assistant.
For a clean install, you must create a bootable USB drive or DVD disc. Windows users should first try the Media Creation Tool for this process, since it does all the work for you. Mac and Linux users will have to flash or burn the ISO file for Windows 11 to a drive or disc, respectively.
You can check out our guide on how to upgrade to Windows 11 for more details on each of these methods. Yes, it's safe and free to upgrade to Windows 11, just as Windows 10 was a free upgrade for PCs running Windows 7 and Windows 8. As long as your PC meets Microsoft's minimum system requirements, you'll be able to access Windows 11 minimal security features.
Microsoft Teams soared in popularity, increasing its user base by seven times, largely thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic. With that in mind, Windows added its chat and video conferencing app to the center of the taskbar. When you click on the Teams icon the first time, you'll need to sign in and allow Microsoft to access your account and contacts. Then, you'll see a list of your contacts, and you're just a click away from chatting or inviting someone to a video chat. If your contact isn't using Teams, they'll receive an invitation to join for free. You can also add Teams widgets to the widget section and quick links to get into other Teams apps and programs.
But with the official Windows 11 installation assistant, you can update your existing operating system without any changes to your data. Your files, applications, even the programs currently running on your PC – everything is left untouched. Similar to the image file method, it also wipes the drive clean, so it is an unsuitable method if you don't want to lose your data.
Creating installation media is only useful if you are looking to perform a clean install, removing all existing files and applications. If, for whatever reason, you're not enjoying the Windows 11 experience, you can quickly switch back to Windows 10 without much hassle. This isn't a must-have upgrade yet, so you can ride out the launch on Windows 10 for a while.If you've installed Windows 11 in the past ten days, you can easily rollback to Windows 10.
Arming a PC with the latest version of Windows isn't complicated, but there are a few things to consider before you dive in. For starters, you could run into compatibility issues if you pair the OS with unsupported hardware, and your chosen device won't be eligible for updates. Shiny new versions of Windows also typically come packed with quirks and bugs, so you should brace yourself for some early adopter turbulence. First, see if your PC running Windows 10 is eligible for free upgrades to Windows 11. You check all details for the same at Microsoft's site for specifications.
