Windows 11 is the new operating system from Microsoft, officially released on October 5, 2023, that brings with it several new features and improvements compared to the previous version Windows 10. In this article, we will see what are the main features of Windows 11, what are the minimum requirements to install it and why it is advisable to update your PC to be able to fully exploit Copilot, the virtual assistant based on artificial intelligence that promises to revolutionize the way of interacting with the computer.
The news of Windows 11
Windows 11 features a renewed graphical interface, which follows the principles of Fluent Design, the visual style introduced by Microsoft to make its applications more modern and intuitive. The Start menu, for example, has been moved to the center of the taskbar and shows the most used apps, recent documents and personalized recommendations. Moreover, it is possible to quickly access the settings, the calendar, the battery and the volume with a click on the icons at the bottom right.
One of the most interesting news of Windows 11 is the return of the widgets, that is, panels that show the latest news, weather forecasts, photos, interests and other useful information, all in a dedicated and customizable screen. The widgets can be recalled with a button on the taskbar or with the key combination Win + W.
To improve productivity and organization of the workspace, Windows 11 introduces the snap layouts, that is, predefined models to arrange the open windows on the screen in an optimal way. Just press the key combination Win + Z and choose one of the available layouts, or drag the windows to the edges of the screen to automatically adjust them.
Another novelty of Windows 11 is the integration of Microsoft Teams, the communication and collaboration service that allows you to chat, call and videoconference with friends, relatives or colleagues. Teams is accessible directly from the taskbar and offers the possibility to create groups, share files, send emojis and reactions, and much more.
Windows 11 also includes several news for gamers, such as the support for DirectX 12 Ultimate, which offers improved performance and graphics, the Game Mode, which optimizes the PC resources to ensure a smooth gaming experience, and the Game Bar, which allows you to record and broadcast your games, check the system statistics and access Xbox Game Pass, the subscription service that offers access to over 100 PC games.
Finally, Windows 11 also introduces several improvements and changes “under the hood”, which make the operating system more secure, stable and fast. Among these, the requirement of the TPM 2.0 stands out, that is, a security chip that protects sensitive data and access credentials, and that makes it more difficult to attack by malware or hackers. Moreover, Windows 11 offers a better support for devices with touch screens, such as tablets or convertibles, and helps to save battery thanks to an optimization of the power consumption.
Requirements of Windows 11
To install Windows 11, you need to have a PC that meets some minimum requirements of hardware and software. These requirements are quite high and can exclude from the update many PCs with a few years of life. Here are the requirements of Windows 11:
Processor: at least 1 GHz with two or more cores and compatible with 64-bit architecture. The supported processors are those belonging to the AMD Ryzen 2000, Intel Core 8000 or later families.
RAM memory: at least 4 GB.
Disk space: at least 64 GB.
Graphics card: compatible with DirectX 12 or later and with WDDM 2.0 driver.
Screen: at least 9 inches with HD resolution (720p).
Internet connection: necessary for activation and for some updates and features.
UEFI firmware: necessary to start the operating system securely.
TPM 2.0: necessary to protect data and credentials.
To verify if your PC is compatible with Windows 11, you can use the PC Health Check tool, available for free on the official Microsoft website. The tool performs a scan of the PC and shows a message that indicates whether the PC can be updated or not. In case of incompatibility, the tool also shows which are the requirements not met and offers suggestions to solve the problem.
Windows 10 vs Windows 11: what are the main differences?
Windows 10 and Windows 11 are two versions of the same operating system, but they have some significant differences that make them suitable for different users and needs. Here are some of the main differences between Windows 10 and Windows 11:
Design: Windows 11 has a more modern and elegant design, with rounded corners, transparent effects and a centered Start menu. Windows 10 has a more classic and familiar design, with sharp edges, solid colors and a left-aligned Start menu.
Features: Windows 11 has some new features that Windows 10 does not have, such as the widgets, the snap layouts, the integration of Teams and Copilot. Windows 10 has some features that Windows 11 does not have, such as the Live Tiles, the Timeline, the Cortana assistant and the Skype app.
Performance: Windows 11 has higher performance and speed than Windows 10, thanks to the optimization of the power consumption, the support for the 64-bit architecture and the requirement of the TPM 2.0 chip. Windows 10 has lower performance and speed than Windows 11, but it is more compatible with older and less powerful PCs, thanks to the lower hardware and software requirements.
Security: Windows 11 is more secure than Windows 10, thanks to the requirement of the TPM 2.0 chip, the UEFI firmware and the Secure Boot, which protect the data and the credentials from malware and hackers. Windows 10 is less secure than Windows 11, but it still offers some security features, such as the Windows Defender antivirus, the BitLocker encryption and the Windows Hello authentication.
Gaming: Windows 11 is more suitable for gaming than Windows 10, thanks to the support for DirectX 12 Ultimate, the Game Mode and the Game Bar, which offer improved graphics, performance and functionality. Windows 10 is less suitable for gaming than Windows 11, but it still supports some gaming features, such as the Xbox app, the Xbox Game Pass and the Xbox Play Anywhere.
The importance of switching to Windows 11 is immense.
If your PC is compatible with Windows 11, it is advisable to update it to be able to take advantage of the news and benefits that the new operating system offers. The update to Windows 11 is completely free for those who own a valid license of Windows 10, and can be done through Windows Update, the automatic update service of Windows. The update will be gradually proposed to all compatible PCs in the next months, but it is possible to check its availability manually by going to Settings > Update and security > Windows Update and clicking on Check for updates.
Updating to Windows 11 entails several benefits, both from an aesthetic and functional point of view. The new design of Windows 11 makes the interface more modern and intuitive, and offers greater customization and consistency between the different applications. The new features, such as the widgets, the snap layouts and the integration of Teams, improve productivity and organization of the workspace, and facilitate communication and collaboration with others. The news for gamers, such as the support for DirectX 12 Ultimate, the Game Mode and the Game Bar, offer a more fluid and engaging gaming experience, and access to a vast catalog of games with Xbox Game Pass. The improvements “under the hood”, such as the requirement of the TPM 2.0, the support for touch devices and the optimization of power consumption, make the operating system more secure, stable and fast.
Among the main reasons to switch to Windows 11, however, there is certainly Copilot, the virtual assistant based on artificial intelligence that promises to revolutionize the way of interacting with the computer.
Windows 11 Home vs Pro: which one should you choose?
Windows 11 Home and Pro are two versions of the same operating system, but they have some differences that may affect your choice depending on your needs and preferences. Windows 11 Home is the standard version, suitable for personal use, while Windows 11 Pro is the advanced version, designed for professional and business use. Here are some of the main differences between Windows 11 Home and Pro:
Setup: Windows 11 Home requires a Microsoft account and an internet connection to set up, whereas Windows 11 Pro does not. This means that you can use Windows 11 Pro with a local account and without an online verification, which may be preferable for some users who value privacy and flexibility.
Features: Windows 11 Pro has some additional features that Windows 11 Home does not have, such as the ability to join a domain or a workgroup, the support for remote desktop and BitLocker encryption, the access to group policy and Hyper-V virtualization, and the option to defer updates. These features are mostly useful for managing and securing a network of computers, or for running multiple operating systems on the same machine.
Performance: Windows 11 Pro has higher performance limits than Windows 11 Home, as it can support up to two processors, 2 TB of RAM and 128 cores, while Windows 11 Home can only support one processor, 128 GB of RAM and 64 cores. This means that Windows 11 Pro can run on more powerful and complex machines, which may be necessary for some demanding tasks or applications.
Price: Windows 11 Pro is more expensive than Windows 11 Home, as it costs $199.99, while Windows 11 Home costs $139.99. However, both versions are free to upgrade from Windows 10, as long as your PC meets the minimum requirements and has a valid license.
In conclusion, Windows 11 Home and Pro are two versions of the same operating system, but they have some differences that make them suitable for different users and needs. Windows 11 Home is the standard version, suitable for personal use, while Windows 11 Pro is the advanced version, designed for professional and business use. You should choose the version that best suits your needs, preferences and budget.
Copilot: an AI for work and more
Copilot is one of the most important and innovative news of Windows 11, and represents the result of the collaboration between Microsoft and OpenAI, the research company on artificial intelligence founded by Elon Musk and other entrepreneurs. Copilot is a virtual assistant that integrates with Windows 11 and with Microsoft applications, and that offers a series of services and features based on artificial intelligence, capable of simplifying and enriching the user experience.
Copilot can be called with the key combination Win + C or by clicking on the icon on the taskbar, and opens in a sidebar on the right side of the screen. From here, you can interact with Copilot via voice or keyboard, and ask him to do anything, from simple tasks like copying and pasting, activating the dark mode or capturing a screenshot, to more advanced operations like making calls, finding flights or generating creative content.