New features, launch date, minimum requirements

Windows 11 is a successor to Windows 10 and boasts slicker design and new features to increase productivity. Actually the users interface looks fairly different to Windows 10.

What happens to Windows 10?

Microsoft has announced it will stop supporting Windows 10 in 2025. This means Microsoft will no longer provide security updates for Windows 10 after October 2025. If your in the situation that your machine is not compatible with Windows 11 you can continue to use Windows 10 after the support ends, however you may want to take some extra steps at that stage to secure your device.

Is my device Windows 11 ready?

Microsoft had a Windows 11 compatibility checker tool on it’s website but many people people had issues with it, so Microsoft are currently updating it. But check the website regularly as it should be available again soon. https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11

Minimum system requirements
Processor	1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with 2 or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or System on a Chip (SoC)
Memory	4 GB RAM
Storage	64 GB or larger storage device
System firmware	UEFI, Secure Boot capable
TPM	Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0
Graphics card	DirectX 12 compatible graphics / WDDM 2.x
Display	>9” with HD Resolution (720p)
Internet connection	Microsoft account and internet connectivity required for setup for Windows 11 Home

How do I get Windows 11

When Windows 11 is generally released, which is looking like it might be the start of 2022, you can update to the new operating system using the settings panel in Windows.  Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update

This will be a free update for current Windows 10 users.

New Feature: Focus Sessions

The new focus sessions or ‘focus assist’ feature has been integrated with the Clock app to minimise distractions, especially for users working from home.  Users choose a task from their to-do list, set a timer and number of breaks and review daily progress all the time avoiding distracting notifications. You can even pair this activity with a suitable Spotify playlist as Spotify has been integrated into windows using the Windows Xbox Game Bar.

Improved Teams Integration

Microsoft have made the Teams experience in Windows slicker and more convenient as it’s now integrated directly into the taskbar.

Windows store

Microsoft have taken steps to allow all sorts of new apps in their store. So far all of Amazon’s Apps have been included in the new Windows store, meaning users will now be able to install apps such as TikTok on their Windows machines.

Launch Date

Windows 11 could be out as soon as October 2021 for new computers but we may have to wait until 2022 to update our current machines.

Update 1st Sept 2021

Today, we are thrilled to announce Windows 11 will start to become available on October 5, 2021. On this day, the free upgrade to Windows 11 will begin rolling out to eligible Windows 10 PCs and PCs that come pre-loaded with Windows 11 will start to become available for purchase. A new Windows experience, Windows 11 is designed to bring you closer to what you love.

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