Microsoft is getting ready to announce the unveiling of its latest Windows release, Windows 11. Code-named Sun Valley, the update will translate to a complete redo of the current windows user interface. In a version of the build that was recently leaked, a couple of new features were noticed.
The most obvious new feature is that there is a floating and centered Start Menu and a centered Taskbar. Windows 11 has ditched its Live Tiles and instead leverages icons linking to your apps that you could pin anywhere according to your choice and convenience.
The Taskbar can also be customized and reverted back to something more familiar, you’ll be able to change Taskbar alignment in the Taskbar settings, which will give you an option to left-align your Taskbar. If that’s not enough, the settings also feature options for customizing all other updated features, meaning you can go back to the classic Windows 10 Taskbar if you’re not ready to let go of it.
Window 11 is also going to be featuring:
A new Microsoft Store
With Windows 11, there should be some big changes. Developers will be able to submit their apps without packaging them, and they can also host them on their own CDN, meaning that they won’t actually have to be distributed by Microsoft, just through the Microsoft storefront. This is opening up the Microsoft Store in a big way. Previously, big-time apps like Google Chrome were left out because of Microsoft’s own rules. Now, it should be a whole lot easier to put your app in the Store.
x64 emulation for Windows on ARM
You remember Windows on ARM, right? Windows 10 devices with ARM processors have struggled with a lack of apps, since they’ve only supported 32-bit emulation. With Windows 11, those devices will finally get support for 64-bit app emulation.
A big visual overhaul, with rounded corners
Windows 11 is going to be visually different from Windows 10. Because as Windows 10 has had some subtle changes to the design over the years, it hasn’t gotten a whole new look, like the kind of new look we typically get from a new version of Windows.
And yes, there will be rounded corners. Windows has been focused on sharp corners ever since Windows 8, and those squared-off tiles made their way into Windows 10 as well. Windows 11 will follow suit with more modern operating systems like iOS and Android now.
Windows Sun Valley image
There are also new, more colorful icons throughout the operating system. You’ll find these in File Explorer, Device Manager, and pretty much anywhere else. These are available in Windows 10 previews, and they make for a pretty big visual change on their own.
It’s not just about a new look though. The way you interact with the UI will be different as well. A big focus here is making Windows better for touch, something that Windows 10 has struggled with. Indeed, while Windows 8 was all-in on touch, Windows 10 felt like it scaled back a bit too much. Windows 11 will support more swipe gestures and such, but more importantly, it should be more consistent with what happens when you tap on something.
Although none of this is official yet.
When is Windows 11 coming out?
Windows 11 is coming out this fall. The timeline is just very different from a normal Windows feature update. Microsoft is plaining on announcing something on June 24.
After it gets announced, the preview is going to go out to Windows Insiders. It should head to the Beta channel shortly after, and that’s also when OEMs are going to start to get it for installing on new laptops and desktops. In October or November, Windows 11 will be available to everyone, presumably as a free update.
References
Windows 11 is coming – Here’s everything we know about Microsoft’s next major software update, XDA, Rich Woods, June 4th, 2021.
This controversial Windows 11 feature is already upsetting people, Digital Trends, Computing, Dua Rashid, June 16th, 20201