Support for Windows 10 is about to end, which means a whole lot to the average user. If you haven’t upgraded to Windows 11 yet, it is a good idea to start considering moving forward so you can maintain your digital safety. But what are some of the features and benefits of Windows 11? We are here to tell you what you’ll get and how it works for you!
Before we dive into the specific features and benefits of Windows 11, we should mention that there are two versions of the operating system: Windows 11 Home and Pro. Both versions offer device encryption, Find my Device, firewall and network protection, internet protection, parental controls, secure boot, Windows Hello, and Windows Security. However, Windows 11 Pro also offers BitLocker Drive Encryption.
Taskbar Design
One of the first things you’ll notice about Windows 11 is the 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. However, with Windows 11, the Windows key is now in the center of the taskbar. This functions similarly to past Windows iterations, but it places everything in a more unified screen that makes applications easier to access and find. If you like a clean, no-icon desktop, the new Start Menu is perfect for keeping your applications and files organized.
Snap Layout
Featuring an improved Snap layout function, Windows 11 allows easy organization of information. 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.
Enhanced Touch
Windows 11 offers a new touch experience for those who are using tablets or 2-in-1 devices with foldable/detachable keyboards. 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 11 enables users to set up virtual desktops and even toggle between them simultaneously for work, school, gaming, and more. This is a great feature allowing users to complete a whole bunch of tasks from a single interface. If you want to separate each one into a topic, that is also possible.
System Performance
Overall, Windows 11 will over greater improvements over Windows 10. It offers faster logins with programs like Windows Hello which use your webcam and face to login to overall, under-the-hood improvements. Ingrained 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
Windows 11 takes the platform’s DirectStorage to new heights thanks to the overall performance gains. Auto High Dynamic Range (HDR) 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. There is also Cross Adapter Scan Out (CASO) which reduces latency and increases frame rates on gaming laptops for Directx11 and later 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. You also get support for dynamic lighting in peripherals like mice and keyboards. Controller bar is also available, allowing you to easily jump back into the game you last played or into a new one.
Microsoft Store Apps
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. Windows 11 introduces support for Android apps hosted on the Amazon Appstore.
From Skype to Teams
An 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
An AI-powered assistant weaves its way through various Microsoft applications to streamline your productivity. Copilot also includes support for additional applications and continues to be improved upon over time.
Security
Keeping your information safe and secure are various features designed to keep unauthorized users out. Passykeys, the cross-platform future of secure sign-in management, is now integrated into Windows 11. Using Windows Hello, you can use your Passkey on multiple browsers including Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Firefox, and more.
Windows 11 can also automatically wake up when you approach and lock when you walk away. Smart App Control provides a layer of security by only permitting the installation of apps with a positive reputation. Trusted Platform Module (TPM) prevents unwanted tampering and prevents startup in the event a hardware change has been detected.
There are a bunch of features already available in Windows 11, and as time goes by, Microsoft plans on continuously updating the application. Whether you are finding yourself using Windows 11 Home or Pro, you will always get the same core experience, features, and benefits noted here and more.
Are there any Windows 11 features that you enjoy using? Sound off in the comment section below what you think. If you have any questions, leave those too and we will do our best to get back to you as soon as possible. For everything else Windows 11 related, keep your eyes on B&H.
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