Windows 11 is now officially available for download worldwide. The new operating system now comes with a drastically new and fresh interface. In addition, Microsoft has released it as a free upgrade, which means users do not need to pay to upgrade their computers to Windows 11. It is available for free for all eligible Windows 10 computer systems. As mentioned above, Windows 11 has an entirely new design and interface. Everything has been redesigned from the Start Menu to the Taskbar, with the classic windows icons changed to match the new aesthetics.

Windows 11 is slowly rolling out as a free upgrade for eligible devices known to have a good upgrade experience through Windows Update. Windows 11 now comes with a new interface that introduces a new simplified Start menu and redesigned Taskbar aligned to the center. Action Center is gone and replaced with Notification Center and Quick Settings, and the new “Widgets” feature will keep informing users curated content.

Microsoft is shipping a new version of File Explorer that ditches the ribbon–style menu. Instead, the new Settings section of Windows 11 brings a unique design and more possibilities to configure your OS just the way you want. 

How to Upgrade to Windows 11? 

Windows 11 is now ready for selected PCs and will be available on millions of systems worldwide. However, like the launch of any new operating system, it will take time to happen. So many Windows users will wait until the magical upgrade notification appears. Windows 11 offers a whole new look, more apps, and efficient ways to be creative and productive. The upgrade process will feel similar to a normal Windows 10 update if the device is compatible and meets the minimum requirements.

• Windows 11 can run on PCs that meet the minimum hardware requirements. It may come preinstalled on new PCs or has to be upgraded on PCs currently running Windows 10.
• Have to take a backup of the documents and data.
• Go to settings > Update and security > Windows Update.
• Check for updates.
• Click “Download and install. “
• Follow the installation and set up all configurations. 

The newer PCs, Windows 11, will come preinstalled right out of the box.

Windows 11 Requirements 

HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS

To meet or upgrade to windows 11, devices must meet the following minimum hardware requirements:

• Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with two or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or system on a chip (SoC).
• RAM: 4 gigabytes (GB) or greater. 
• Storage: 65* GB or greater available storage is required to install Windows 11. 
• System firmware UEFI: Secure Boot Capability. 
• Extra storage space might be required to download updates and enable specific features. 
• Graphics card: Compatible with DirectX 12 or later, with a WDDM 2.0 driver.
• TPM: Trusted Platform Module version 2.0.
• Display: High definition (720p) display, 9″ or greater monitor, 8 bits per color channel.
• Internet connection: Internet connectivity is necessary to perform updates and to download and use some features.
• Windows 11 Home edition requires an Internet connection and a Microsoft Account to complete the device setup on first use.

Over time, there might be more requirements for updates and to enable specific features within the operating system. The above are the basic system requirements for Windows 11.

How to Get Windows 11?

Microsoft has now launched the Windows 11 OS for India, and users are curious to learn more about it.

• Check if the PC will run Windows 11 using the PC diagnostic tools available for free download.
• Free up space on the computer.
• Search in the web browser to download Windows 11. 
• Download Windows 11 Installation Assistant from the webpage by clicking “Download Now. “
• Once the setup is downloaded, execute the program.
• In the dialogue box that opens, click “Accept and install.”
• Wait for the OS to be installed. 
• The downloaded files will then be verified.
• Restart the PC once to start using the Windows 11 OS.

This is how Windows 11 get installed.

Other alternative ways to Install Windows 11 

1. Upgrade by launching Setup on the media while running Windows 10. Options are : 

1. Perform a Full Upgrade, which keeps personal files, apps, and Windows Settings. This is the default option that the installation Assistant uses.
2. Keep Data Only will keep personal files only, not apps and not Windows Settings.
3. Clean Install will install Windows 11 and keep nothing from the Windows 10 installation.
4. Boot from media to launch Setup. This path is a clean install and will not retain previous files or settings.

Features of Windows 11

Some new features have been listed, ranging from the redesigned Start Menu and Action Center to Android App Support, Auto HDR, and much more.

1. New Strat Menu of all the new Windows 11 features, the new launcher–style floating Start Menu is the most distinctive part of Microsoft’s next-gen desktop OS. Unlike the traditional Start Menu found in previous iterations of the OS, the new Start – as Microsoft calls it – sits right at the center of the Taskbar. In addition, it has a fly design with pinned and recommended apps accompanying each other. 
2. 5G support: Requires 5G capable modem.
3. Auto HDR: Requires an HDR monitor.
4. New Action Center: Click on the unified “WIFI, VOLUME, AND BATTERY” button to open the new Action Center. It packs all the necessary controls, including brightness and volume sliders. Bluetooth connection has become faster, and users need not dive into Settings to pair their devices.
5. Modern File Explorer: File Explore on Windows has been a major point of contention among Windows users. The new File Explorer is functional and has all the features. It contains colorful new icons, a new Content menu, and a Command bar, replacing the existing Ribbon menu bar.
6. New Microsoft Store: The newly- designed Microsoft Store is another great new feature of Windows 11. It’s built from the ground up and supports Win32, NET, UWP, Xamarin, Electron, React Native, Java, and even Progressive Web Apps.
7. Android Apps Support in Windows 11: Android app support has yet to be rolled into the stable Windows 11 build. However, Microsoft confirmed that future builds would support the installation of an android app. Android apps will run natively on Windows 11, and the performance will be pretty good. Android apps will run on Intel and AMD processors, irrespective of the Intel Bridge technology that brings this fantastic feature to life.
8. Redesigned Settings App: The setting page has been neatly categorized with menus, sub-menus, and a static menu pane at the left. It also has a power and battery usage report similar to smartphones, some stunning themes, and more.
9. Faster Windows Updates: If an update installation is pending while restarting the PC, it will show the estimated time required to complete the update. This nifty addition will save time and hassle.
10. Snap Layout and Other New Multitasking Features: Snapping was already great on Windows 10; Microsoft has taken it a notch further with easier Snap Assist. This new feature is called Snap Layouts.
11. Windows 11 widgets: With Windows 11, Microsoft has brought Widgets where one can find all kinds of information with just a click. The Widget section is also customizable, and one can personalize it per one’s interest.
12. New MS Paint, Photos, MS Office, and Media Player: One of the best things about Windows 11 is that Microsoft is not just reskinning the OS to the new Fluent UI, along with rounded corners and material design. The company is also showing a similar effort to redesign its first-party apps. Microsoft has redesigned one of its veteran apps, Paint, to the new design language, and it looks elegant.

So, these are some new Windows 11 features that have been explored over the last few months. This is the first stable release, and Android app support is yet to be explored.