Windows 11 is the current major version of the Windows NT family of operating systems, announced on June 24, 2021, and developed by Microsoft. Released on October 5, 2021, it is the successor to Windows 10, which was released six years earlier. Windows 11 is available as a free upgrade from Windows 10 through Windows Update for supported devices.
Background
In 2015, Microsoft released Windows 10, the newest version of Windows to date, which would join the Microsoft Windows family of operating systems. At the time of its launch, the company and its representatives confirmed that there would be no new operating system in the family from then on, as had been done for decades. Jerry Nixon, a software engineer at Microsoft, stated at the time that "We are now releasing Windows 10. And because Windows 10 is the last version of Windows, we are all still working on it." The change was probably due to the negative reception to Windows 8, but it was still unexpected for the general public student data due to the regular 3-year cycle between each operating system that had already been established. In any case, the official justification was that Windows 10, from then on, would receive updates every certain number of months, which would replace the need for a completely new operating system, as new functions could be gradually added.
Starting with Windows 10, Microsoft's strategy for its releases would apparently be to make Windows a service, rather than a system where you would need to buy a copy to use it (as was the case for many years). Windows 10 was made available during its launch period as a free update.
At the end of 2020, it was reported that Microsoft was planning a major update to Windows 10, codenamed "Sun Valley".
Development
At the Microsoft Build 2021 developer conference, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella suggested that Windows would get a major update, "one of the most significant Windows updates in the last decade," in his words. Thus, the possibility of a next version of Microsoft's system being released soon was suggested.
On June 10, it was announced that Windows Sun Valley would be a separate operating system from Windows 10, consisting of its own operating system that would likely coexist with its predecessor. Four days later, it was announced that support for Windows 10 would end on October 14, 2025. On the same day, Microsoft began sending out invitations for a Windows-only event, announced on its official website, with a date set for June 24.
A week before the event, on June 15, some photos and a beta version of the system were leaked, revealing the UI and some new functions and apps, such as the return of Windows Widgets. The system's interface closely resembles that of the recently canceled Windows 10X. The operating system's screenshots were first published on the Chinese website Baidu. The biggest changes are seen on the taskbar, as program icons appear centered, including a new Start menu button. The Start menu would be a simplified version of what already exists in Windows 10. There is also an option to decentralize programs from the taskbar and the Start menu button, placing them on the left side. Rounded edges are also seen in Windows 11, seen in both the menus and the file manager.
Features
New logo
After 35 years since Windows 1.0 was released, the Windows 11 logo is no longer asymmetrical and distorted, adopting a square look similar to that used by Microsoft since 2012, but with a single color in a dark blue tone.
User interface and design
Windows 11 features an updated user interface that follows Microsoft's Fluent Design guidelines; translucency, shadows, and rounded corners are prevalent throughout the system. A redesigned Start menu is used, which eliminates the tiles on the right side. The taskbar is also simplified and centered by default. Task View, a feature introduced in Windows 10, features an updated design. Other changes to the system include new icons, sounds, and system widgets. Much of the interface and Start menu draws heavily from the canceled Windows 10X.
Widgets
Windows 11 includes a widget panel accessible by clicking the widgets button on the taskbar. The widgets display news, sports, weather, and finance from MSN. In the leaked developer build, the widgets cannot be dragged or rearranged, and accessing the widget panel requires signing in with a Microsoft account. This replaces the news and interests on the taskbar that appeared in later versions of Windows 10.
System Requirements
The basic system requirements for Windows 11 are similar to those for Windows 10. However, Windows 11 will only support 64-bit systems, such as those using an AMD64 or ARM64 processor. Support for IA-32 processors has been removed. The minimum RAM and storage requirements have also been increased. Windows 11 now requires at least 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage. S mode is only supported on the Home edition of Windows 11. As of June 2021, only 8th Gen Intel Core processors (Coffee Lake, Whiskey Lake) and later, AMD Zen+ (except the 1st Gen Ryzen "AF" stepping) and later, and Qualcomm Snapdragon 850 and later processors are officially supported.