Windows is undoubtedly the most used operating system in the world with many legendary versions like Windows XP, Windows 95, and Windows 10 setting the standards for the industry. Windows 11 is next, in the long line of operating systems released by Microsoft throughout all these years. It was announced officially to the world on June 24, 2021, and it is expected to become available later in 2021. This brand new chapter of Windows will be available for free to all those who have already installed Windows 10.

Requirements

In order to be able to download and install Windows 11, users should first make sure that their devices can meet a set of requirements. There are:

• Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with two or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor
• RAM: 4 gigabytes (GB) or greater.
• Storage: 64 GB or greater available storage is required to install Windows 11.
• Graphics card: Compatible with DirectX 12 or later, with a WDDM 2.0 driver.
• System firmware: UEFI, Secure Boot capable.
• TPM: Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0.
• Display: High definition (720p) display, 9″ or greater monitor, 8 bits per color channel.

Also, note that Windows 11 requires an Internet connection and a Microsoft Account to complete device setup on first use.

New features

As always, the most anticipated news about a new operating system is what unique cool features it will have compared to its predecessors. Windows 11 has been designed with user comfort and productivity in mind, allowing its users to stay connected with both their work and their favorite pastime in a much more convenient way.

• Menus

The Start bar of the Windows 11 has been relocated from the traditional left corner to the center of the taskbar. All icons and menus have rounded corners, and have been graphically overhauled to bring a more pleasant-to-see result. The content of the start button has been updated, allowing players to quickly find pinned, recommended, and the most recently used apps and documents.

Although all other menu icons have been entirely redesigned, their content has remained more or less the same allowing a smooth transition between different operating systems. The widgets have also switched positions from the bottom right to the left of the desktop, providing for quick access to news, the latest stock prices, and anything else a user might find useful. 

• Snap Layouts

A new cool feature available on Windows 11 is the snap layouts. This new detail allows users to comfortably use multiple pages and programs at a time. Multiple predefined layouts can be accessed by hovering the mouse over the maximize button in an open window of any browser. Snap layouts allow multitasking on Windows 11, with this feature being smoothly operated by a snap navigator to navigate the page of choice. These layouts are also remembered if connected to an external screen which is super useful, especially for those whose work requires a lot of multitasking.

• App Store

The new Microsoft store on Windows 11 has been entirely redesigned to be more practical compared to the earlier versions shown in past operating systems. Gaming has attained a lot more importance by Microsoft, with gamers being able to connect to their XBOX game pass and play from their PCs. Auto HDR is also available, enhancing the graphics of every game making them as gorgeous-looking as possible. A huge step taken by Microsoft in Windows 11 is that users can install android apps on their laptops through the Amazon store. Many famous companies like TikTok, Netflix, Adobe, and more will have their applications available to be downloaded and used by default.

• Connectivity

During the pandemic, all of us realized the importance of video conference apps and live chat. The Windows 11 will come with Microsoft Teams already installed, and with its live chat available to be accessed by the taskbar. Furthermore, voice typing, touchscreen, and pen features will be enhanced allowing more options regarding input.

Developers

Windows 11 is bringing a lot of new improvements, not only for regular users but for programmers too. When the new update takes place, developers will have plenty of new tools for creating new apps and for sharing them with the public. 

• Microsoft Store

As mentioned before the revamped app store developed for Windows 11 has been overhauled to make it easier to explore and find applications and collections. Through this store, users can install apps directly from their browser while developers will have more revenue-sharing alternatives, like keeping 100% when they bring their own business platform to the Store. Furthermore, developers can get more support for app types such as Win32, .NET, and PWAs, as well as support for Android apps from the Amazon store.

• Applications

Multiple apps specially made for developers will be available for Windows 11. With the brand new PWABuilder3, software engineers will be able to build a PWA from their web app from scratch, just in a few minutes. Additionally, the WebView2 runtime is also added with Windows 11 making it more comfortable to take advantage of its web platform as a secure way to build hybrid web apps.

As expected, developers can keep operating great developer offerings like Windows Terminal and the new Microsoft Edge DevTools in addition to multiple other apps that will be released and updated either on launch day or during the lifetime of Windows 11. Last but not least, I feel that I should mention the Windows App SDK, previously known as Project Reunion, that will allow programmers to add the Windows 11 features into their applications.

Read Also: Defining the Pillars of UI Design: 6 Great Concepts To Build Great Apps

• Game Developing

New tools will be available for game developers too upon the release of Windows 11. DirectStorage which was previously only available for consoles will be supported for PCs too. In order to get all the benefits of this unique tool, developers will need PCIe 3.0+ NVMe SSD and a GPU that supports DirectX 12 and Shader Model 6.0+. DirectStorage allows decreased load times and more open, detailed, living universes.

The welcomed addition of Auto HDR can automatically update DirectX 11 and newer games with enhanced lighting and color to a high dynamic range with no extra work needed by neither the developer nor the player. Microsoft in an effort to further help game developers who want to make their games reach their full potential will activate the Game Development Kit (GDK), for free via GitHub. GDKT has all the usual tools, libraries, and documents needed to build games for the PC, further adding to the portfolio of developing tools available in Windows 11.

Tags: Developers, Game Developers, Microsoft, New Features, Operating Systems, Requirments, Technology, Windows, Windows 11