The D-day for the new Microsoft operating system has arrived: from October 4 (Wednesday 5 for Europe) Windows 11 is officially available to be installed on PCs that have the necessary requirements to support it. In Redmond they repeat convinced that this is a very important day for the history of Windows (the blog post that collects the guidelines of the announcement clearly says) and they say they are confident that a new era is beginning for personal computers, in the name of a significantly renewed design and of the idea that the software can accompany any user in «a modern and unique, flexible and obviously safe experience, also ideal for hybrid work and learning».
Whether it is a new revolution or at least a useful and necessary step forward, the time and experience of millions and millions of users will probably tell. That someone, including PC retailers, suggests prudence in immediately downloading the (free) update on their device is certain, however, a sign that for a slice of “geeks” Microsoft’s latest effort does not yet enjoy particular credit.
Loading…
The main news, from Start to Auto Hdr for gaming
Often the subject of reinterpretations and second thoughts, the Start button positioned in the center marks the new look of the Windows interface. However, its functions do not change: from Start you can quickly access your favorite content and applications and for those who work with the Microsoft 365 cloud suite you can access recent files regardless of the device used. Another new entry is the introduction of Widgets, a new personalized feed (enabled by artificial intelligence) that allows you to view ad hoc content and information directly on your desktop, with a simple click or swipe from left to right.
For those who work from home or frequently use video conferencing platforms, good news is certainly the integration of the Microsoft Teams app directly into the taskbar, so as to speed up the instant connection (via messages, chat, voice or video) with other remote users on Windows, Mac, Android and iOS. Finally, with Windows 11, the Store is also renewed, which will also become a tool to search for all the desired content, and the multitasking options, thanks to the introduction of the new Snap Layouts, Groups and the ability to set different layouts on the desktop. One last note, especially interesting for pc gamers: the new software promises extremely realistic graphics features by offering Auto Hdr and support for DirectStorage, a feature that reduces the loading times of games introduced for the first time on consoles. Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S.
How to download the update
The obvious but necessary question that many are asking is the following: is Windows 11 better than its predecessor? Windows 10, on balance, will probably go down in history as one of the most “guessed” (as well as downloaded) versions of the operating system and the feeling is that Microsoft has figured out where to intervene to eliminate some defects, starting (as some say) from problematic update management. Speaking of updates: the release of the new software will be managed gradually and will be completed only in the first part of 2022. Once your turn has arrived (without forcing the download procedure, relying on the tools made available online by Microsoft) , the actual availability of Windows 11 will be communicated with a specific notification from the PC and you can proceed (the times to complete the operation are announced quite long) through Windows Update. Once the update is installed, you will have 10 days to return to Windows 10 if necessary, keeping the files and data already transferred. Instead, after 10 days, to return to the old system it will be necessary to back up the data and perform a new installation.