Windows 11 is about to be with us with Microsoft confirming the public release date for 5th October 2021. We give you the lowdown.

On 5th October, eligible devices running Windows 10 will have the Windows 11 update made available to them, while new stock devices that have the OS pre-installed will be available to buy. The upgrade will be free to existing Windows 10 users, with the Windows 11 licence cost being built-in to the pricing of all new machines. The upgrade will be phased in for existing Windows machines which should have been made available to all eligible users by mid-2022.

Features

• A new redesigned UI for a more contemporary experience. Microsoft has opted to refresh its OS with a less geometric look and a re-positioned Start menu and Taskbar options

• A more streamlined workflow when moving between external and laptop displays. Multitasking will be easier with apps retaining their window layouts thanks to Snap Groups and Snap Layouts, where apps and windows can be minimised as one for better multitasking.

• Virtual desktop support is improved, with multiple profiles available for work, gaming, or school use with different wallpapers for each.

• Deeper Microsoft Teams integration. This will be available across multiple platforms including Mac OS, Android, and iOS, as well as directly from the Windows Taskbar for a more seamless experience

• Android apps are coming to Windows 11. Unlike with Windows 10, Android apps will run natively in Windows 11. The first release will be without this feature with the functionality coming online in a future update. Apps will be accessible from the updated Microsoft Store via the Amazon Appstore.

• Improved Xbox integration and gaming. Features such as Auto HDR and DirectStorage from the Xbox are coming to Windows 11.

• The return of the Widget. Taken from Vista (remember that?), these bring simple functionality lifted from parent apps straight to your Taskbar

Compatibility

Anyone looking to upgrade an existing machine to the new OS can check Microsoft’s system requirements here which include the TPM 2.0 chip requirement. These Trusted Platform chips can be found across a range of devices, including PCs, and their primary function is to enhance security in a hardware form factor. Whereas previous incarnations of Windows have taken advantage of TPM tech in the past, Windows 11 makes it a hardware requirement.

Microsoft has confirmed the following existing machines will be compatible:

• Acer Swift 5

• Acer Swift X

• Asus Zenbook Flip 13

• Asus Zenbook 14

• Alienware x15

• Dell XPS 13

• HP Spectre x360

• Samsung Galaxy Book Pro

• Surface Pro 7

• Surface Laptop 4

The current list of supported CPUs for other devices include:

• Intel Core X-series, Xeon W-series

• Intel Core 7820HQ (only select devices that shipped with modern drivers based on Declarative, Componentized, Hardware Support Apps (DCH) design principles, including Surface Studio 2)

• Intel Core i5-7640X

• Intel Core i7-7740X

• Intel Core i7-7800X

• Intel Core i7-7820HQ

• Intel Core i7-7820X

• Intel Core i7-7900X

• Intel Core i7-7920X

• Intel Core i9-7940X

• Intel Core i9-7960X

• Intel Core i9-7980XE

Development for other Intel chips, as well as development for AMD chip support is ongoing. To help those looking to make the switch, Microsoft have developed their improved PC Health Check app which can streamline the process for users.

Because of the absence of TPM hardware on the logic board, Windows 11 will not be supported on Intel Macs, which you can read about here in Mike Thornton’s article. Mac users should, however, be able to run the OS virtually, with Parallels Desktop specifically referring to support for M1 equipped machines in their webstore.

Check Your Compatibility

You can check the Windows 11 system requirements over at Microsoft and download their PC Health Check app here to check your own machine for compatibility.

Circuit board photo by Tima Miroshnichenko from Pexels