Although Microsoft has not yet announced an official release date for its new operating system, the Windows 11, should happen before the end of the year. So if you’re running Windows 10 or earlier, it’s important to know what you’ll need to do to get access to the new thing when it arrives.
Will it cost extra? Is it compatible with my computer? What’s different about Windows 11? These are some of the questions we are going to answer now.
What happens to Windows 10?
First, let’s start by talking about Windows 10, released in 2015. According to Microsoft, it will no longer receive support from the US company in 2025. This is the standard Microsoft policy for most of its products: ten years of support. For the first five years, this includes, for example, security updates and free support. In the final five years, problem solving is paid for.
Therefore, we can consider that Windows 10 has entered this final phase of its lifecycle. The end of support date is October 14, 2025, the day updates for Home, Pro, Enterprise, Pro Education, and Pro For Workstations will end.
This does not mean, however, that you will be forced to stop using Windows 10 four years from now. There are still those who use, for example, the Windows 7 and 8, which have already been discontinued from support by Microsoft.
The downside, therefore, is the end of security updates, which make your computer more vulnerable in the long run. Many malwares are created to attack Windows, which is a very popular operating system.
How do I know if I can use Windows 11?
Then comes another question: will your computer be able to run Windows 11? If you buy a new device between now and the OS release (which it is speculated to be in October), then yes.
But to make sure your current Windows 10 computer is compatible with the free Windows 11 upgrade when it comes out, all you need to do is access the Microsoft website and verify that it meets the requirements.
Speaking of free upgrades, this is an important factor: if your computer is compatible with Windows 11, there will be no cost for you to install the new operating system on your computer.
How to install Windows 11 when it launches?
The path to this is simple. From the moment it is available, you should go to the Windows Settings menu, click on “Update and Security”, then “Windows Update”, and then “check for updates”.
If it has already been released, you will see the option to update Windows 11 next, and then just download and install.
After all, what’s new in Windows 11?
The new Windows has some interesting attractions. First, it looks closer to Apple’s competing macOS system, with a centralized “Start” button and a cleaner interface.
Another novelty is the possibility to integrate and run Android applications. Then, you will be able to download and use apps like TikTok, for example, directly in Windows.
Microsoft Teams, which allows file sharing and video conferencing, which is widely used in times of pandemic, will be integrated into the toolbar, making it easier to access it.
In games, Windows 11 promises to offer better graphics, close to those of Xbox consoles, also from Microsoft, thanks to technologies such as HDR. By the way, speaking of Xbox, it will be possible to download apps directly in a console application in that operating system.
*With matter of William Tagiaroli and information from the “Cnet” website.
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