Discover the New Features and Pricing of Windows 11! Where to Download?

As reported by Mytour recently, although the Windows 11 build has been leaked, revealing a new interface and a new name, now we officially get to see the GUI and learn about the new features that Microsoft has brought to its product.

What's New with Windows 11?

I. Pricing of Windows 11

Windows 11 will be released as a free update for all Windows 10 users. You'll need an internet connection to download, install, and activate the Home version, and you'll also need a Microsoft account to install Windows 11 or upgrade your PC or tablet.

II. Where to Download Windows 11

Following its launch, Microsoft has released the ISO installation package to users. If you're using Win 10, you can refer to How to Update to Windows 11 here. Alternatively, if you're using Win 7 or want to install directly via USB, you can download the official Windows 10 ISO file from Microsoft.
=> Download Windows 11 64-bit here.

III. New Features of Windows 11

Windows 11 focuses on three main areas: a new and modern UX designed to simplify Windows usage, new features and enhancements built to help you work more efficiently, and new improvements focused on the Microsoft Store.

The new interface has been updated with new effects, icons, and sounds. Everything from the Start menu and taskbar to context menus and apps has been updated to look more cohesive with the rest of the new Windows 11 design.

1. First Things First 

For the first time, Microsoft introduces a mandatory requirement for PCs running Windows 11 Home to log in with a Microsoft account and connect to Wi-Fi. There's no way to skip this step anymore. However, Microsoft doesn't impose a similar requirement on Windows 11 Pro.

Once you've set up and booted into Windows 11, the first thing you should do is head to the Microsoft Store and check for updates to ensure you have the latest versions of all pre-installed Windows 11 apps. After that, you should also visit Windows Update in the Settings app and check for updates there to ensure you have the latest drivers designed for Windows 11.

2. New Design and Start Menu

One of the most significant changes users will notice is that the Start Menu has been moved to the center of the screen and is now 'cloud-powered', so it will automatically adapt based on the time of day and the content you're working on. Additionally, you can easily apply a light or dark theme system-wide.

The Start Menu has replaced the list of apps with a grid of selected apps and below are suggested documents. The All Apps button will take you to the traditional app list. The purpose of the new UI design is to get you where you want to go faster.

Additionally, Windows 11 features a unique wallpaper collection. Currently, users can download the wallpaper collection on Windows 11 for free to use through the link below.

Read More: Download Windows 11 Wallpapers

3. Enhanced Multitasking Features

Windows 11 introduces the new Snap Layouts feature. You can choose layouts to run multiple apps at once. For example, open 2 apps side by side, 3 apps in columns, or 4 apps in a grid. The taskbar is optimized for touch, as well as for peripheral devices and is now renamed Dock. Another feature is Snap Groups, where you can quickly return to previous multitasking windows from the Dock.

4. Windows 11 Widgets

Windows 11 offers a range of new Widgets, powered by Microsoft Edge and AI. These widgets can help you quickly view calendar, weather, news, to-do lists, photos, and more.

5. New Themes

Windows 11 now allows you to personalize different screens with their own wallpapers. So, you can have a computer for work, family, school, or gaming, each with its own apps and interface.

You can also check out some new images of the Windows 11 interface here to compare with Windows 10.

Read More: Windows 11 Reveals a Completely New Interface

6. Windows Store and Android Apps

With Windows 11, Microsoft has redesigned the Microsoft Store, making it easier and faster for users to find apps. Additionally, Android apps will be directly available for Windows 11.

Microsoft says by the end of this year, you'll be able to find Android apps in the Microsoft Store and download them through the Amazon Appstore. While this process may sound a bit complicated at the moment, Microsoft promises to reveal more about the experience in the coming months.

7. Gaming on Windows 11: Auto HDR and DirectStorage

Gaming is also an aspect Microsoft focuses on in Windows 11 as the company introduces several new features, particularly aimed at enhancing the gaming experience on its operating system.

Specifically, the Auto HDR feature is coming to Windows 11, improving contrast and color without requiring game developers to reconfigure their games. As a result, images will be brighter and more detailed. Windows 11 also adds a DirectStorage API. If you've used the Xbox Series X or Series S - both of which feature Direct Storage, you'll notice significantly faster load times.

Finally, Xbox Game Pass, Microsoft's game subscription service, will still be integrated directly into Windows 11 through the Xbox app.

8. Teams Integration

Microsoft is striving to make Teams even more popular by directly integrating its online meeting platform into Windows 11. You can join meetings or family calls from the Dock.

9. Touch Improvements

The tablet mode has been a weakness of Windows since Windows 8, and the new tablet features Microsoft introduced for Windows 11 could be the key to changing the fate of the operating system, especially with future Surface products.

At the Windows 11 unveiling event, Microsoft announced larger Touch Targets (areas of the screen that respond to user interaction) and easier ways to resize and move windows around.

Gestures used with the trackpad of Surface devices will also appear on the touchscreen. Additionally, Haptics will be present on Windows 11 when you use a stylus, providing better feedback when drawing or sketching. The virtual keyboard has been redesigned and can be customized. Windows 11 also features advanced voice recognition to input speech, allowing for more accurate text conversion and automatic punctuation. Voice commands are also supported, such as the delete command when you're working on a document.

10. File Explorer Update

Microsoft has updated File Explorer on Windows 11 with a modern and simple navigation bar while retaining all previous features. Instead of displaying a series of complex buttons, the top part of the user interface now has clear options, including things like creating new files or folders, as well as buttons for copy, paste, rename, share, and delete files.

That being said, Microsoft hasn't removed any existing functionality; they've simply tidied up the user interface to provide a more user-friendly experience. There's even a new simplified context menu design, consolidating all the older context menu options into a submenu for those who may still need to access it.

11. Available Apps

Many apps available on Windows 11 have been updated with new designs and features. Apps like Photos and Microsoft Paint apply rounded corners and blur effects in context menus and headers.

The Alarms & Clock app now has a new Focus Sessions feature integrated with Microsoft To Do and Spotify, providing a single destination for setting up workflows and completing tasks. You can set a timer for 30 minutes, choose a playlist, sync with Microsoft To Do, and mark tasks as complete.

Microsoft Edge and Microsoft Office are also being updated with a new design, although to a much lesser extent than other apps.

12. Settings App

There's a range of new options and settings to explore on Windows 11. Starting with the Settings app, it looks much nicer and does a better job of organizing the most common settings that people actually need.

Microsoft has finally added detailed battery stats to the Settings app for your reference. You'll get a detailed chart displaying energy usage over 24 hours or 7 days and can see which apps are using the most battery at any given time of day. It's a neat little feature that Windows has been missing for many years.

The Personalization category now prioritizes your themes for easy switching between interfaces and top-tier user interfaces accessible through their own sections, such as the Taskbar, Start menu, and Lock screen.

The Bluetooth and devices section has been revamped, now displaying connected devices at the top for easy access to device information, settings, pairing new devices, and more. You also have access to features like Touchpad control, Pen settings, and even Your Phone setup.

Windows 11 brings a fresh breeze to the Windows OS by shedding much of the old UX for a modern, flexible, and simpler interface. Windows 11 is currently in its '1.0 version,' meaning it's just getting started, and while it includes a host of great features, there's still a lot missing that might pose challenges for long-time Windows users. Microsoft aimed to streamline the Windows UX at its highest level, but in return, some functionalities that many deem essential for their workflow are still missing or removed.

To learn how to install Win 11, you need to refer to the shared guide on creating a Windows 11 installation USB below and follow the provided steps.

Further reading: How to Create a Windows 11 Installation USB