Buzz
Immediately after leaks about the Windows 11 Dev version (for developers) surfaced from overseas, many Vietnamese users quickly installed and shared a lot about this new version. However, are you aware of the fresh changes in Windows 11? If not, this article covers everything you need to know about Windows 11, including the most exciting changes of this version.
Official Name and Release Date
Firstly, there's information indicating that Windows 11 might not be the official name of the next operating system version from Microsoft. It's highly possible that it will have a completely new name, marking a transformative step from the software giant.
According to Microsoft, Windows 10 will be the 'final version of Windows,' meaning the next version will truly be a new breakthrough, different, modern, and of course, it will still be Windows but with a new perspective, a new direction from Microsoft. However, for now, let's just call it Windows 11 for clarity.
Expected around 11/2021, Microsoft will have a major update called Sun Valley. It's unclear whether this will be the official launch of Windows 11 or just the final update of Windows 10. Nevertheless, this is an eagerly anticipated event.
And now, these are the most intriguing tidbits of the Windows 11 Dev edition that have been causing a stir in the user community in recent days.
Exciting Fresh Changes in the Windows 11 Dev Edition
Firstly, it's essential to note that this is just the initial version, aimed at developers. There will still be many bugs and changes over time until the official release. Therefore, the new features below are just for reference and to provide a general overview.
1. Taskbar and Start Menu Completely Refreshed
The Taskbar now consists of Windows icons, Search tool, Recent items, File Explorer, and more, redesigned with a sleeker, rounded appearance. Additionally, the Start menu has abandoned its old design for a more intuitive and tidy layout.
Furthermore, instead of being clustered on the left, these icon clusters have been moved to the center for a cleaner, more balanced feel. It can be said that this change draws inspiration from competitors like macOS or ChromeOS.
2. Multitasking Windows and Striking Transition Effects
Multitasking on Windows has always been good, but now it's even better with optimized options for minimizing/maximizing on the top-right corner of any working window. Now you can easily split your screen into 2, 3, or 4 different display areas quickly.
Multitasking operations are even more appealing now due to the creation of interactive transition effects that respond smoothly to user actions such as opening/closing apps, moving windows around.
3. Fresh Sound Effects
Besides the screen transition effects, user-computer interaction becomes more 'real' thanks to illustrative sound effects. For example, when you plug/unplug a USB, click on an icon, receive notification sounds, and more.
Windows 11 is taking the right direction by focusing more on user experience rather than solely exploiting functions for work purposes.
4. Revamped System-wide Icons and Rounded Details
From a psychological standpoint, users tend to feel more cautious with sharp-edged, angular objects, finding rounded, dimensional corners more friendly and comfortable.
And in Windows 11, improvements are being made as icons are designed with depth, eye-catching colors, and reduced sharp edges—from icons to multitasking window corners to the center of status notifications.
Digging into menu options, Windows 11 still hasn't fully synchronized the new design language, but this is a promising sign of change.
5. Exciting New Features like Dark Mode, Convenient Utilities, and Easy Wallpaper Customization
With Windows 11, you can effortlessly change themes and desktop wallpapers with just a few mouse clicks instead of delving into complex options. This contributes to making Windows usage more user-friendly.
Similarly, the new Dark Mode offers adjustments in black contrast levels, rather than simply switching to a harsh black like Windows 10, thereby aiding eye protection and providing a more comfortable viewing experience.
And like other operating system platforms, Windows 11 has introduced utilities, information suggestions, weather updates, and more. Although still limited, these are features aimed at enhancing user experience.
Is Windows 11 Essentially a Polished Version of Windows 10X?
One could argue that it is. Initially, Microsoft directed Windows 10X towards touch-enabled devices, emphasizing touchscreen interactions, comfortable window multitasking, interface customization, and more. However, perhaps the company has realized that this is the future of Windows and wants to bring it to all devices within the existing Windows ecosystem.
All will become clear when Microsoft officially announces the next generation of Windows. Although these are just experimental versions for developers, it's evident that Microsoft is steering in the right direction for the next step, keeping up with the times.
Will Users of Older Windows Versions Receive a Free Upgrade to Windows 11?
Microsoft has been quite proactive in promoting Windows 10 for the past few years. As part of their strategy, they provided Windows 10 as a free upgrade for users of older Windows versions for at least 1 year or longer. It seems they will use a similar strategy for Windows 11.
According to XDA's findings, there are Windows 11 product keys for users of Windows 7 and Windows 8.1. This practically means that those old versions may be eligible for a free upgrade to Windows 11 when it becomes available.
Of course, the update will also be free for Windows 10 users. Windows 11 looks quite similar to Windows 10X but lacks fundamental architectural changes. It's likely to be easily transitioned into another Windows 10 feature update, and we'll have to wait for Microsoft's official announcement to see why they decided to change the version number.
Are you excited about the upcoming Windows 11 release? Leave a comment below!
This article references various sources, including DigitalTrends, WindowsCentral, and the XDA Developers Forum.
Read more: Users of Windows 7, 8.1, and 10 will receive a free update to Windows 11.
