Windows 11 vs Windows 10: Here's what's new

Windows xi vs Windows ten: Here's what's new

(Prototype credit: Microsoft)

Windows 11 has landed, and with it comes some pretty big changes to the Windows experience. Whether it'southward brand new capabilities or onetime functions with a new expect, Windows 11 looks to have something new for pretty much everyone while even so delivering the core functionality that has made Windows a staple of the computing world for more than three decades. You tin read our Windows eleven review to run across our impressions of the update.

Earlier this summer, Microsoft Master Product Officer Panos Panay introduced the newest version of Windows by talking about the familiarity of childhood homes and favorite spaces, and that the new Windows is designed to create calm. "It's more than just an operating system," said Panay, "it'southward the fabric that's woven into our lives."

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The concept of continuity and familiarity is a big part of the Windows 11 release. In many ways, the latest version of Windows is the old version of Windows, but with more than smoothen.

As familiar as Windows eleven might be, there's notwithstanding a lot that's inverse. The programs you lot know are all still available and supported, but they'll exist joined by Android apps, running as windowed programs on the desktop (though non right away — Microsoft's still fine-tuning that feature). Your favorite multitasking functions get upgraded with new Snap Layouts, and virtual desktops are getting improve with more than flexibility and features.

From the icons to the toolbar to the fonts on screen, the newest version of Windows looks less chaotic, more than refined and generally more intuitive than Microsoft is generally known for.

And there are changes nether the hood, from expanded input support for pen, affect and voice, and optimizations in gaming and security, and even promises of improved battery life thanks to improved system efficiency. Some bottom-used Windows 10 features are getting cut besides from Windows 11 too.

Permit's look at some of the biggest changes that have arrived Windows 11.

Windows 11 vs Windows 10: A blueprint rebirth

Windows 11 leak — (Paradigm credit: The Verge)

If at that place's one matter that stands out about Windows 11, it'due south the visuals. Microsoft has come up a long way from boring boxes and wallpapers of grassy light-green hills. Included with that advancement is a new version of the Windows logo, the render of the startup sound which has been dropped since Windows 8, and a revamped collection of icons that enhances flat designs with colorful gradients and adds a touch of depth to the otherwise 2D images.

Ane of the biggest changes is a rounded expect on pretty much everything. Windows, menu panels and notification boxes all have matching rounded corners that give everything a softer expect.

Other large visual tweaks include the addition of an Bone-level dark mode, letting you swap between a brighter, more than colorful look and a darker, more subdued color scheme that applies to everything from the desktop wallpaper to menus and apps.

Windows eleven vs Windows 10: Taskbar changes

Another visually stunning modify with Windows 11 is the relocation of the Start menu, which is now at the lesser heart of the screen by default. And programs on the taskbar look a little different, as well, with tools represented entirely with icons, which are easily pinned to create a quick menu of your most used tools.

Windows users looking for a more than familiar, old schoolhouse feel can move the get-go menu back to the lower left corner of the screen to relish a bit more continuity with older versions of Windows.

The start carte gets an overhaul in Windows 11, moving away from the live tile approach introduced in Windows 8. Instead of large live tiles for individual applications, there is now an easy to manage grid of app icons.

Microsoft also appears to have ditched at a long scrolling menu of programs, switching to an optimized layout of recommendations that highlight your most used and likely needed files and tools.

And jumping in and out of an app is faster, with one-touch reopening that not only quickly opens the program you want, it besides pulls up your files only equally you left them.

Windows 11 vs Windows ten: Snap Layouts and multitasking

Windows 11 event — (Image credit: Microsoft)

The snap office in Windows 11 has been updated with Snap Layouts, with several grid-based layout options that let yous set upwards your open apps but how you want them. The familiar side-past-side windows layout is joined past new layouts that put windows in stacked configurations, quadrants, and fifty-fifty a triptych that puts a trio of windows together, with either similar window sizing, or a centre console with sidebars perfect for scrolling feeds and chat apps.

These unlike layouts match the size of your screen, plumbing equipment to the aspect ratio and resolution of whatsoever display y'all're using. And multi-monitor screen management lets you skip the reshuffling of windows as yous dock and undock your laptop.

Snap Groups lets you jump right back into tasks past letting y'all bring groups of windows back in a single click.

And for a more than extensive set of workspace changes, Microsoft has improved virtual desktops — and now you can accept as many every bit you want. Virtual desktops let y'all create different environments for different activities, like piece of work, school and gaming. Dissimilar desktop options permit you personalize with distinct wallpapers and let you grouping projects and programs for quick switching.

Windows 11 vs Windows 10: Impact, pen and voice

windows 11 keyboard — (Image credit: Microsoft)

A lot of the changes coming to Windows xi seem to exist filtered through the lens of mobile device users, and this is reflected in the expansion of input support. Keyboard and mouse are still fully supported, but Microsoft has redesigned the interface to work better when you aren't using either, with improved support for impact, pen and voice input.

Touch screen users will appreciate that Windows 11 volition have bigger touch targets and visual cues for easy resizing and moving of windows. Touchscreen gestures will be more consistent with the trackpad gestures you already employ. And a new onscreen keyboard comes with options for easier typing with thumbs, and adds a quick choice of emojis, every bit well.

Using a pen or stylus should also exist more comfortable with better haptic feedback, and voice input — no extra software needed — non merely offers vocalism typing, but also improved voice recognition and automatic punctuation. No more awkwardly trying to remember when to say "comma" and "assertion point."

Windows 11 Widgets provide a drove of live feeds, giving you updates and recommendations on everything from calendar items and weather info to automatically personalized news and article suggestions. Powered by AI, it serves up a curated collection of everything from to-do lists and traffic info to reading suggestions based on your location and interests.

Widgets are stored in a slide out panel on the left-hand border of the screen, and can be pulled out part way for a quick glance at new items, or all the way across the desktop to get a full screen feel. The entire widget interface sits on a transparent pane that lets you hands gear up it aside to return to the work you were doing, without opening entire new windows.

Don't expect widgets to make a big difference initially. The ones available at launch are fairly bland and there's not many available at this signal, at to the lowest degree based on our Windows xi testing.

Windows 11 vs Windows x: Android apps arrive (eventually)

windows 11 android apps — (Image credit: Microsoft)

One of the biggest changes coming announced for Windows xi this summer was the improver of Android app support. With Windows eleven, Android would be able to run on the desktop, in a split up window that you could utilize with Snap Layouts and as well as with touch, keyboard and mouse – every fashion you interact with Windows. And you would be able add apps to the taskbar and start menu, just like other programs, to brand them office of your workflow from mean solar day-to-day.

Or at least, that was the platonic. Windows 11 is here, only Android app back up is non. Instead, Microsoft is continuing to beta-test this feature. Nosotros may not see it until next twelvemonth.

When Android support does arrive, Microsoft volition brand Android apps discoverable in the Windows Store through a partnership with the Amazon App Store, which does raise some questions almost what apps volition be available and whether at that place are means to run apps from other sources (like, Google Play). Only thanks to Intel Bridge applied science, the Android apps you lot tin download should all play nicely with your laptop, desktop or Windows tablet.

Windows 11 vs Windows 10: From Skype to Teams

windows 11 teams — (Paradigm credit: Microsoft)

Online communication gets a big improvement in Windows 11, with Chat from Microsoft Teams integrated in the taskbar — and Teams is now simply a part of Windows, included for consumers and gratis to utilise. It works with other platforms and devices, too. The hardware agnostic approach should brand information technology a lot easier to switch betwixt desktop and mobile, even if you lot're calling a friend with an iPhone.

Windows 11 vs Windows 10: Gaming upgrades

windows 11 games — (Image credit: Microsoft)

PC gaming should be better on Windows eleven, likewise. The upgrade brings in DirectX 12 back up for better high-frame rate gaming, and Auto HDR should simplify loftier-dynamic range improvements past running them without needing to futz with graphics card settings or tweak every time you lot want to switch between unlike monitors.

Microsoft also spent a lot of attention on Xbox Game Pass, merely almost of the game offerings and features like crossplay between PC and console look like things that were already available.

Windows 11 vs Windows x: Operation

Bated from interface tweaks and new features, Microsoft has boasted about performance improvements that come with the new operating system. The visitor claims faster logins with Windows Hello, quicker wake from slumber and speedier web browsing.

The visitor claims that Windows updates will be xl% smaller — we'll see if that happens once updates roll out — and volition occur in the background. Windows xi should likewise deliver amend efficiency for longer battery life on devices similar laptops and tablets.

Plus: Windows 11 won't piece of work on your PC without a TPM — how to check

Brian Westover is an Editor at Tom'south Guide, covering everything from TVs to the latest PCs. Prior to joining Tom'south Guide, he wrote for TopTenReviews and PCMag.