Microsoft has announced Windows 11 at a special event.
The new operating system features a redesigned user interface, the ability to run Android apps natively on the platform via the Amazon App Store, and a bunch of new features designed to bring Windows into 2021.
The company said it redesigned Windows to put more focus on productivity, socializing, and entertainment and perhaps one of the biggest changes is a new Start menu that appears in the center of the screen, rather than the left. It’s akin to chromeOS and macOS, and offers a fresh take on the world’s most iconic operating system.
Windows has removed Live Tiles and instead offers users a simple app menu, whilst animations and sounds have been overhauled for a fresh and engaging experience. What’s more, a new feature called Snap Assist allows users to arrange windows in a grid, ideal for multitasking or watching YouTube whilst working on a project.
For the first time, Teams has been baked into the operating system, with a new Chat app in the Taskbar that is powered by Microsoft Teams. It’s also possible to connect an iPhone or Android phone and have texts relayed to your computer, and Microsoft Chief Executive Satya Nadella has even pledged his support for bringing iMessage to Windows. Though Apple hasn’t done that so far, there’s more chance of that happening now than ever before.
Other notable changes include commission-free Windows Store options for developers, and the ability to load Android apps on Windows using the Amazon Android App store. The free update will drop later this year, and users will need a 64-bit processor, at least 1Ghz clock speed, 2 cores, 64GB storage, and 4GB RAM.
The company will drop a beta release before the end of June, and release Windows 11 for free for those who own Windows 10. Those who run Windows 7 or Windows 8 won’t be able to update to the new operating system.