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

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

(Image credit: Microsoft)

Windows 11 has landed, and with it comes some pretty big changes to the Windows feel. Whether it's brand new capabilities or former functions with a new look, Windows eleven looks to have something new for pretty much everyone while however delivering the core functionality that has fabricated Windows a staple of the computing world for more than than 3 decades. Yous tin read our Windows 11 review to see our impressions of the update.

Earlier this summer, Microsoft Master Product Officer Panos Panay introduced the newest version of Windows by talking nigh the familiarity of babyhood homes and favorite spaces, and that the new Windows is designed to create at-home. "It's more than just an operating organisation," said Panay, "it's the cloth that'south 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 sometime version of Windows, but with more polish.

As familiar every bit Windows eleven might be, at that place'south withal a lot that'south changed. The programs you know are all nonetheless bachelor and supported, but they'll exist joined by Android apps, running every bit windowed programs on the desktop (though not right away — Microsoft'south yet fine-tuning that feature). Your favorite multitasking functions get upgraded with new Snap Layouts, and virtual desktops are getting better with more flexibility and features.

From the icons to the toolbar to the fonts on screen, the newest version of Windows looks less cluttered, more than refined and by and large more intuitive than Microsoft is more often than not known for.

And at that place are changes under the hood, from expanded input support for pen, touch and voice, and optimizations in gaming and security, and even promises of improved battery life thanks to improved system efficiency. Some lesser-used Windows ten features are getting cutting too from Windows 11 too.

Let'southward look at some of the biggest changes that have arrived Windows 11.

Windows eleven vs Windows x: A design rebirth

Windows 11 leak — (Prototype credit: The Verge)

If there's ane thing that stands out about Windows eleven, it's the visuals. Microsoft has come a long way from slow boxes and wallpapers of grassy greenish hills. Included with that advancement is a new version of the Windows logo, the return 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 look on pretty much everything. Windows, menu panels and notification boxes all take matching rounded corners that give everything a softer look.

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

Windows 11 vs Windows 10: Taskbar changes

Another visually stunning change with Windows 11 is the relocation of the First card, which is now at the bottom center of the screen by default. And programs on the taskbar look a lilliputian different, too, 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, one-time school experience can move the start menu back to the lower left corner of the screen to relish a bit more continuity with older versions of Windows.

The showtime menu gets an overhaul in Windows xi, moving away from the alive tile approach introduced in Windows 8. Instead of large alive tiles for private applications, at that place is now an easy to manage grid of app icons.

Microsoft besides appears to take 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 ane-touch reopening that not only quickly opens the program you lot want, it also pulls up your files just as you left them.

Windows 11 vs Windows 10: Snap Layouts and multitasking

Windows 11 event — (Image credit: Microsoft)

The snap office in Windows 11 has been updated with Snap Layouts, with several filigree-based layout options that let y'all ready upward your open up apps just how you desire them. The familiar side-by-side windows layout is joined past new layouts that put windows in stacked configurations, quadrants, and even a triptych that puts a trio of windows together, with either like window sizing, or a eye panel with sidebars perfect for scrolling feeds and chat apps.

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

Snap Groups lets you lot jump right back into tasks by letting yous 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 have every bit many every bit you lot want. Virtual desktops let you create dissimilar environments for dissimilar activities, like piece of work, school and gaming. Different desktop options let you personalize with distinct wallpapers and allow you group projects and programs for quick switching.

Windows 11 vs Windows 10: Affect, pen and vox

windows 11 keyboard — (Prototype credit: Microsoft)

A lot of the changes coming to Windows 11 seem to be 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 lot aren't using either, with improved support for bear on, pen and vox input.

Touch screen users volition appreciate that Windows 11 will take bigger touch on targets and visual cues for easy resizing and moving of windows. Touchscreen gestures will exist more consistent with the trackpad gestures y'all already use. And a new onscreen keyboard comes with options for easier typing with thumbs, and adds a quick selection of emojis, also.

Using a pen or stylus should also be more comfy with improve haptic feedback, and voice input — no actress software needed — not but offers voice typing, only also improved voice recognition and automatic punctuation. No more awkwardly trying to recall when to say "comma" and "exclamation bespeak."

Windows 11 Widgets provide a collection of live feeds, giving you updates and recommendations on everything from calendar items and weather condition info to automatically personalized news and article suggestions. Powered by AI, it serves upwards 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 edge of the screen, and can be pulled out role way for a quick glance at new items, or all the way beyond the desktop to get a total screen feel. The entire widget interface sits on a transparent pane that lets you easily set it aside to return to the work you lot 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'southward non many available at this point, at least based on our Windows 11 testing.

Windows eleven vs Windows ten: Android apps arrive (eventually)

windows 11 android apps — (Epitome credit: Microsoft)

One of the biggest changes coming announced for Windows 11 this summer was the addition of Android app support. With Windows eleven, Android would be able to run on the desktop, in a divide window that you could use with Snap Layouts and likewise as with touch, keyboard and mouse – every way y'all interact with Windows. And you would exist able add apps to the taskbar and first carte, merely like other programs, to make them part of your workflow from day-to-mean solar day.

Or at to the lowest degree, that was the ideal. Windows eleven is here, but Android app support is not. Instead, Microsoft is continuing to beta-test this feature. Nosotros may non encounter it until next year.

When Android support does get in, Microsoft will make Android apps discoverable in the Windows Store through a partnership with the Amazon App Store, which does raise some questions nigh what apps volition be available and whether there are ways to run apps from other sources (similar, Google Play). Simply cheers to Intel Bridge technology, the Android apps y'all can download should all play nicely with your laptop, desktop or Windows tablet.

Windows eleven vs Windows 10: From Skype to Teams

windows 11 teams — (Image credit: Microsoft)

Online communication gets a big improvement in Windows eleven, with Conversation from Microsoft Teams integrated in the taskbar — and Teams is now merely a role of Windows, included for consumers and gratis to utilise. It works with other platforms and devices, as well. The hardware doubter approach should arrive a lot easier to switch between desktop and mobile, even if y'all're calling a friend with an iPhone.

Windows eleven vs Windows 10: Gaming upgrades

windows 11 games — (Image credit: Microsoft)

PC gaming should be meliorate on Windows 11, too. The upgrade brings in DirectX 12 support for better high-frame charge per unit gaming, and Auto HDR should simplify high-dynamic range improvements by running them without needing to futz with graphics card settings or tweak every fourth dimension you want to switch between different monitors.

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

Windows 11 vs Windows 10: Functioning

Bated from interface tweaks and new features, Microsoft has boasted nigh operation improvements that come with the new operating organisation. The company claims faster logins with Windows Hello, quicker wake from sleep and speedier web browsing.

The company claims that Windows updates will be twoscore% smaller — we'll see if that happens once updates roll out — and volition occur in the background. Windows 11 should also evangelize amend efficiency for longer battery life on devices like 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's Guide, covering everything from TVs to the latest PCs. Prior to joining Tom's Guide, he wrote for TopTenReviews and PCMag.