In exciting news, Microsoft have announced the upcoming next version of its Windows Operating System: Windows 11. The system is currently in beta testing around the world as Microsoft announced last week they will release the OS earlier than anticipated, making the free upgrade available to eligible devices from October 5.
As a Microsoft Silver Partner, we are getting our first look at the new operating system as our team of technicians explore its evolved features that plunge Microsoft into a new era of Windows.
“It’s a snappy, more refined operating system with aesthetics to match,” says Zach Warwick, All Covered IT Technician, “I am looking forward to the official stable release.”
Those new aesthetics come as a result of Microsoft’s visual evolution and close attention to improving their design language. A careful process, Microsoft have focused on five key aspects: effortless, calm, personal, familiar, and complete + coherent, to offer a visually seamless and modern experience for the user. From the newly rounded corners of desktop apps to the neutral colour palette to the smooth motions on-screen, Windows 11 lives up to its key design principles to provide an easy and relaxed user experience.
Speaking of easy, Microsoft executives have emphasised the shift from Windows 10 to Windows 11 will “feel more like an update install than a full on migration” (CRN, 2021). The move “will be a familiar, easier process, not a project”, states Wangui McKelvey, Microsoft 365 General Manager.
So what else can we expect? With the rising use of Microsoft Teams, we can look forward to its total integration with the new operating system. This means the Teams app will be easier to connect to and will even feature a “one-touch” experience that allows users to launch Teams for chats and calls without fully opening the app. “It’s just fast and you’re in,” says Panos Panay, Microsoft Chief Product Officer. The app will be incorporated in the taskbar in Windows 11 and users will be able to mute/unmute their mic and share their desktop straight from the taskbar instead of locating the options in the app itself.
Beyond the beautiful design and enhanced user experience is the security behind the system. Microsoft have recognised the rapidly growing need for sophisticated cybersecurity and have developed the new OS with the future of security in mind. Heightening security baselines, Windows 11 is zero-trust-ready – this means it will utilise a zero trust security framework requiring all users to be authenticated and validated reducing the risk of a data breach.
How do I get Windows 11?
There is hardware eligibility involved, to upgrade to Windows 11 your device will require a TPM 2.0 security chip and the processor must be “Intel’s eighth-generation and newer or AMD’s Zen 2 Series and up”. This does mean it is likely the update will only be compatible with devices released over the last few years.
If you have questions about upgrading to Windows 11 or the hardware required to do so, our team are always happy to chat and you can get in touch with us here.
