Stay ahead of the curve with Windows 11

We will take a quick look at some of the things you need to know about Windows 11, so you can make an informed decision on whether or not to upgrade from Windows 10. Let’s get started!

Is it worth upgrading to Windows 11?

Windows 11 launches today, leaving windows users wondering if it will be worth the investment and whether it will provide them with new features that they can enjoy.

Windows 11 has a variety of new features that will be helpful for beginners and experienced users alike. These include the new Windows Store, which is designed to make it easier to find what you’re looking for with its improved browsing options. Apps downloaded from the store are added automatically to your start menu (like you would see on a tablet).

The new version offers faster boot times, faster shutdowns and most importantly, an improved Start Menu! By default, the Start menu is centred on the screen, along with icons in the taskbar, and when clicked on, the Start button opens a menu of frequently used apps.

In some ways, it mimics the appearance of a smartphone app menu or launcher. Microsoft has also dropped the “tiles”, which were present on Windows 10’s start menu.

Widgets are also making a comeback! Apple bolstered widgets in iOS 14 and iPadOS 15, and Microsoft dabbled in bringing back desktop widgets with the News and Interests panel that recently arrived in Windows 10.

But Windows 11 widgets take that idea a step further. Microsoft’s blog on Windows 11 notes that the new widgets will deliver a personalised feed powered by AI and use Edge for rendering. Widgets can be expanded to fill the whole screen, and third-party content providers can utilise this new palette.

Differences between Windows 10 and Windows 11

Windows 11 is an upgrade from Windows 10. It has the same features as Windows 10 but with some added improvements. The upgrade will be free for users who currently use Windows 10, but it will cost roughly £119 if you decide to get a copy of the Professional version. If you are still using Windows 7 or 8, you may also need to pay to upgrade.

Pros of Upgrading to Windows 11

There are several reasons why you may want to upgrade to Windows 11, including:

• It fixes many bugs found in Windows 10. Since it’s an upgrade from 10, this is expected and welcomed by users who have used 10 since its launch. This won’t apply to you if you are currently using Windows 7 or 8 since these operating systems don’t have the bugs Windows 10 has.
• Faster startup time when compared with Windows 10
• Improved browser security in Edge
• New features like a game mode that improves gaming performance
• Uniformity when switching between tablet and PC mode
• Tablet users will experience SkyDrive as a built-in feature (currently exclusive to Windows 10) rather than something they have to download
• Runs same apps as Windows 10

Cons of Upgrading to Windows 11

Before we detail the cons, we must point out that all operating systems have them. No current OS is perfect and may disappoint its users at some point since it’s impossible for an OS not to cause problems.

• Updated hardware that is compatible with Windows 11 will be necessary if you want the best performance
• If your hardware isn’t compatible with Windows 11 (i.e., no drivers for it), then upgrading is a no go.
• You may lose some of your files and programs before upgrading (if they are not stored in a cloud accessible location), but Microsoft has created an easy way for you to recover them after it’s completed.
• Some users have compared Windows 10’s start menu and desktop interface to that of Mac OSX. While Microsoft has tried somewhat hard to address these woes in their recent updates (i.e., increased customisation available for the start menu and disabled Cortana and search box from the taskbar if you choose), there are still plenty of people who don’t like it. If you fall under this category, upgrading to Windows 11 may not be for you.
• You will need more storage space if you want both operating systems after upgrading
• Depending on your internet connection, the download may take a while
• Privacy concerns exist due to the amount of data collected by Microsoft’s customer experience improvement program
• You can go straight to Windows 11 from Windows 10 if you upgrade, but if you are coming from Windows 7 or 8, there will be a slight delay in the update being downloaded

Conclusion

Microsoft has announced that Windows 10 support will end in 2025 so it’s recommended that if you haven’t upgraded to Windows 10 yet, you should do so before upgrading to Windows 11.

While many of the pros and cons listed above may seem like they can be deal-breakers for some people (especially those who aren’t happy with how Windows has been changing since version 8), we believe this upgrade will be a great addition to what has already been a good operating system in terms of user experience.