Is everyone ready for a new Windows operating system? Yeah, probably not. Me neither, but I figured “what the hell?” and upgraded anyway. That’s right, this blog is typed up from the new Windows 11 operating system. I updated about 5 days ago and already hate it, just kidding! I love it. The interface is clean; Microsoft finally hired a few designers to make the graphics look cool. Most importantly, everything works. I haven’t used it long enough to really wax poetic, but I’ll describe some of the new features and how to upgrade.
Taskbar Layout
Your taskbar is smack dab in the middle of your computer now. I’m certain this will be annoying at first, but its easy to get used to. I’m also sure it will be customizable at some point by either Microsoft or a 3rd party app.
Snap Layouts
In my opinion this is the most impressive new feature for users. But it gives me anxiety as a tech professional. This is how Microsoft describes it: “These offer a powerful way to multitask and stay on top of what you need to get done.” With this Windows 11 feature, users can organize windows and optimize screen real estate for a cleaner visual layout. Users can create and customize separate Desktops for each part of their life—like one for work and one for personal use. You know what that means? It means you can have EVEN MORE WINDOWS OPEN at the same time! The user can even organize them into separate groups. Say you’re working on a project but multitasking on something else, you can move all those windows for the project into a completely separate desktop, so you aren’t toggling between the 100 windows open. It’d be 50 indows here, 50 windows there. Sure, this is kind of cool, but it also means work is never complete. Windows and Desktops will just keep multiplying and I I bet people will never restart!
Android Apps
This feature isn’t available yet, but Android apps will run on Win11. I’m not an android person, so this doesn’t get me very excited, but I bet it does for a few readers.
As you might have guessed, this is a work in progress. You won’t be very overwhelmed by new features just yet, but they will improve.
If you’re ready to pull the trigger, here’s how to upgrade:
This link will allow you to download the installer, run a readiness check and upgrade your system. Use the Windows 11 Installation Assistant. https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows11
I know it will take time for Win11 to start becoming standardized, but so far I’m a fan. Microsoft knows how technology is evolving into a “connected world,” and created an operating system to cater to it. Because its Cloud focused, the operating system will have new features added constantly to adopt on the fly. My advice is to give it a few months, let the kinks work themselves out, and then pull the trigger. OR just go crazy and do it now (but please don’t yell at me if you hate it).