Windows 11: New Features & Upgrade Guide (2024 Update)

Last Updated on October 22, 2024

Microsoft's highly anticipated Windows 11 upgrade officially launched on October 5, 2021, and has since seen significant improvements. Now, as of fall 2024, this version of Windows has matured, with updates addressing many initial concerns and new features, making it even more compelling.

The rollout began cautiously, with Microsoft introducing it in phases to ensure stability across various hardware configurations. Today, Windows 11 is available for all compatible PCs, and most early issues have been resolved.

If you're still using Windows 10, it's worth knowing what Windows 11 offers and deciding if now is the right time for an upgrade.

Overview of Windows 11

Windows 11 brings a fresh, modern look to the Windows operating system, incorporating new productivity features, enhanced security, and greater integration with modern hardware. Since its release, Microsoft has rolled out numerous updates to refine the user experience and add new capabilities.

Refreshed User Interface

The most striking feature of Windows 11 is its revamped user interface. The start menu and taskbar are now centrally aligned, reminiscent of macOS and Chrome OS, which works well for ultrawide monitors and 2-in-1 laptops.

The floating, compact keyboard allows tablet users to type one-handed, providing a more comfortable experience. The simplified menu interface removes live tiles, offering a streamlined view of pinned applications and recently accessed documents.

Microsoft has continued to enhance the aesthetics of the dark and light themes, making the experience more intuitive and visually consistent. Snap Groups, which allow you to save and recall layouts of multiple applications, remain a standout feature, helping users return to their preferred work setup after a restart.

Redesigned Microsoft Store

The Microsoft Store in Windows 11 has received an overhaul. Developers can now use their own payment systems, making the store a more attractive option for them. As a result, the store has expanded significantly, with more popular apps such as Adobe Creative Cloud and, more recently, Zoom and other productivity tools.

One of the standout features of the new Microsoft Store is the inclusion of Android apps. With Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA) now fully implemented, users can install and run Android apps directly on their PCs. This opens up new possibilities for using mobile applications on a desktop environment, greatly expanding the usability of Windows 11.

The Store also now supports a wider range of applications, including third-party app stores, making it more versatile and convenient for users.

Performance Improvements

Under the hood, Windows 11 is designed to improve overall performance. The system prioritizes applications in the foreground, ensuring smoother multitasking. Microsoft Edge has also benefited from this, with Sleeping Tabs helping to save up to 30% of memory by putting inactive tabs to sleep.

Windows Updates are now smaller and faster, with a reduction in package size of up to 40%, resulting in less bandwidth consumption and quicker installations. The improvements extend to Windows Hello as well, with up to 30% faster sign-in times.

The efficiency improvements also apply to battery management. More efficient power usage on laptops contributes to longer battery life.

System Requirements and Security

Windows 11 has maintained its strict hardware requirements. The operating system requires an 8th-generation or newer Intel processor or a second-generation or newer AMD Ryzen alongside TPM 2.0. This focus on hardware security aligns with Microsoft’s zero-trust approach, which ensures that only trusted software can run on the system.

The Trusted Platform Module (TPM) is essential for encryption and other security features, such as BitLocker and Windows Defender System Guard. Secure Boot must also be enabled in the BIOS to ensure a secure startup process. While these requirements make the system more secure, they have also meant that some older hardware cannot upgrade to Windows 11 without unsupported workarounds.

Microsoft has clarified that PCs not meeting these requirements may not receive important updates, including security patches. Therefore, it is generally recommended that users on unsupported hardware remain on Windows 10, which will continue receiving support until October 2025.

Enhanced Productivity Features

Since its release, Windows 11 has introduced several new features aimed at improving productivity:

• Windows Copilot: An integrated AI assistant that helps users with tasks, much like an enhanced version of Cortana, but with deeper integration and more advanced capabilities. It can summarize documents, manage settings, and even answer queries directly within the desktop environment.
• Improved Snap Assist: Snap Assist has been further refined, allowing users to easily organize windows on-screen. Snap Layouts and Snap Groups help keep frequently used applications together, making multitasking more efficient.
• Focus Sessions: Built directly into the Clock app, Focus Sessions helps users set aside distraction-free time for work. It integrates with Microsoft To Do and Spotify for timed productivity.
• Live Captions: Windows 11 now includes built-in live captions for any audio playing on the device, making it more accessible for users with hearing impairments.

Gaming Enhancements

Gaming has always been a key focus for Windows, and Windows 11 takes it further with new and improved features:

• Auto HDR: A feature that enhances visuals and enhances high dynamic range (HDR) to many DirectX 11 and DirectX 12 games, even if they originally lacked HDR support.
• DirectStorage: Significantly improves game loading times by leveraging the faster read speeds of NVMe SSDs.
• Xbox Game Pass Integration: The Xbox app is now integrated more deeply into Windows 11, allowing easy access to a large library of games through Xbox Game Pass.

Windows 11 for Business Users

Windows 11 has also introduced features explicitly aimed at business environments:

• Hybrid Work Enhancements: With the rise of hybrid work, Windows 11 includes several enhancements for productivity and security in business settings. This includes better support for cloud-based applications, seamless integration with Microsoft Teams, and improved virtual desktop management.
• Security Features for Businesses: Windows 11’s zero-trust model particularly benefits businesses. It ensures endpoint security with features like Windows Defender Application Guard, Credential Guard, and secure core PCs, which offer hardware-based protections.
• Windows Autopilot: Simplifies device setup and management for IT departments, making deploying and configuring new devices easier.

Installation Tips

Before upgrading, ensure TPM and Secure Boot are enabled in your BIOS settings. These features are crucial for Windows 11's enhanced security. If your system doesn't meet the hardware requirements, you can find online guides that provide workarounds—though doing so can come with risks, including the lack of security updates.

For those who choose to stay on Windows 10, support will continue until 2025, giving you ample time to plan your transition.

Is It Time to Upgrade?

Whether to upgrade to Windows 11 depends on your current setup and needs. For those with compatible hardware, Windows 11 offers a polished, modern interface, improved security, and new features that enhance productivity and entertainment. Staying on Windows 10 might be better if you rely on older hardware.

In the comments below, let us know your thoughts on Windows 11. Are you ready to switch or hold out for Windows 12 rumors? Until next time, take care and stay updated.