Support for Windows 10 is ending soon, so if you haven't upgraded to Windows 11 yet, it's time to start thinking about it. But what are some of the differences between Windows 10 and Windows 11? We are here to break down some of the different versions of these two operating systems and help you understand what is changing.
Taskbar Design
One of the first things you'll notice about Windows 11 is the updated design. Windows has always had an iconic design, with the Windows key located at the lower left, and the taskbar stretching out to the other side of the screen. Windows 10 kept this tradition alive while Windows 11 transformed it a bit with a movement toward the center of the taskbar. As you open up applications, the bar moves to accommodate the array of icons. If you wish, you could move the taskbar back to its classic location.
Aside from that, you'll notice that the overall design carries through the rest of the menus. When you select a theme, that will impact all aspects of your layout aesthetic—from the taskbar to your individual windows. It helps make Windows 11 feel more unique, allowing you to express your tastes how you see fit. The taskbar also has various widgets built into it, giving you real time information about the weather, stocks, and anything else you rely on.
Additionally, all the windows and even File Explorer got a facelift. Conceptually they are the same as Windows 10, but they have a new flare for them that really makes it stand out.
Getting Snappy
Perhaps my favorite and most used feature of Windows 11 is the greatly improved Snap layout function. In Windows 10, you can drag a window to the edge of your screen where a telegraph of the snap change will be displayed. Upon letting go of the window, it will snap appropriately as foreshadowed. Sometimes, it might not always work. Multi-display users may try to snap a window to one side and instead of snapping, it will fully expand to the other display.
Microsoft expanded on this with Snap Layouts. When you click and drag a window, a little shelf at the top of the screen will reveal itself. You can drag the window up to it and it will display various layouts in which the window can rest. There are multiple aspect ratios to help accommodate various display configurations. It is a small feature, but one of the best for multitaskers, especially when you consider the Snap Group feature which combines windows into a collection so you can quickly switch to a specific arrangement.
Touch and Go
Time has changed from Windows 10's touch screen features. At the start, it wasn't very touch friendly, eventually blossoming into a fairly useful experience, but not quite where it needed to be. Windows 11 fixes that by enabling a tablet mode by default. Several 2-in-1 devices where the keyboard could be folded or detached make great use of this feature.
Windows 11's tablet mode offers much larger touch targets and has emphasized visual cues so that users can easily adjust windows.
Virtual Desktop
Windows 10 offers Task View, which enables you to see various windows and swap between them quickly. Meanwhile, Windows 11 enables users to set up virtual desktops and even toggle between multiple desktops simultaneously for work, school, gaming, and more. This is a great feature that allows users to complete a whole bunch of tasks from a single interface. At a glance, they both look very similar, but the Windows 11 variant offers greater utility.
System Performance
Overall, Windows 11 will offer greater improvements over Windows 10. It offers faster logins with programs like Windows Hello, which use your webcam and face to login. Engrained protocols help boost performance, allowing certain processors that feature hybrid designs to enhance the throughput of the processor's cores, leading to quicker throughput.
Gaming Upgrades
When it comes to gaming, Windows 10 was fairly basic. It didn't offer much to help improve the gaming experience for enthusiasts, which was until the DirectStorage feature came into play. Not only did it improve the overall gaming experience by enhancing the PCIe bus speed, but it also helped developers improve their production, allowing games to run faster and better. Windows 11 takes this to new heights thanks to the overall performance gains that we previously mentioned.
Other benefits include Auto High Dynamic Range (HDR), which brightens colors in a wide range of titles. When using an HDR monitor, Auto HDR detects the display and optimizes your visuals for a variety of DirectX 11 (and newer) games. Additionally, Windows 11 has Xbox Game Pass baked into the software, giving you instant access to a rotating library of games with a paid subscription.
All of the Apps
Windows 10 has pretty standard application support. You could always download software from various companies online or through the Microsoft Store, and that still stands with Windows 11, but things have adjusted slightly. A new and improved Microsoft Store has been implemented, giving it a fresh makeover. If there are applications you have downloaded through the old Microsoft Store, they should still be supported with the new version.
The Microsoft supported apps aren't the only applications available. Windows 11 introduces support for Android apps hosted on the Amazon Appstore. While Windows 10 supported the Your Phone app, it wasn't always the best way to use external software. Android apps run directly off your system natively.
Additionally, Windows 11 upgrades Skype to Teams, an all-in-one program that encapsulates chat, video, and audio calls with various other programs like Outlook to become your hub for everything from meetings to talking to friends. Skype can still be downloaded for free if you miss it.
Copilot
Finally, one of the largest features brought on by Windows 11 is Copilot. This AI-powered assistant weaves its way through various Microsoft applications to streamline your productivity—from the Windows 11 operating system to Microsoft 365 and the Edge web browser. Copilot also includes support for additional applications and continues to be improved upon over time.
While the simplicity of the operating system is a testament to Microsoft's skills to make vast improvements quickly, Windows 11 shouldn't be seen as intimidating. After all, Microsoft has been quick to make changes either under the hood or cosmetically, giving those who adored the previous operating system a sleek, familiar, and responsive experience. If you have been waiting for the perfect moment to swap over, this is your chance, and not just because you have to.
For everything else Windows 11 related, keep your eyes on B&H.
