Windows 11 has been leaked, and it is already in the hands of a multitude of enthusiasts who have taken little time to ‘dissect’ the new Microsoft system to reveal its secrets. Are we facing a big change compared to Windows 10?
On June 24, Microsoft will announce Windows 11. It will not be a surprise, considering this week the company announced. Nor will most of the news, which have already been discovered, and that allows us to answer some questions we had.
Will Windows 11 be a revolution?
The main change of Windows 11 will be cosmetic. Basically, it will be the same Windows system as always, with components that have been part of its structure for decades.
For example, the classic control panel is still available; that is one of the parts that had been waiting to be removed for a while, replaced by the Settings menu that is present from the beginning in Windows 10.
The good news is that this means there won’t be any compatibility issues, and all of our programs should work without a problem; that is the strength of Windows compared to many other systems that have tried to take over the personal computer market.
The bad news is that we will continue to put up with inconsistencies and sacrifices to continue supporting deprecated components. That’s easy to see by switching to the dark desktop theme: some windows are still blank, and others don’t even follow the new Windows 11 design, more ‘ethereal’ and with a glass effect that’s a bit reminiscent of Windows 7. The system too it will still be just as heavy, since you can’t get rid of old parts.
Were you hoping for UX consistency in Windows 11? You shouldn’t.
—Paul Thurrott (@thurrott)
Therefore, Windows 11 will not be a revolution, but it can serve to revitalize the system and the experience, although the consensus is that most things have not changed.
What changes are there on the desktop?
The most obvious is found as soon as the system starts: the taskbar is now centered; it’s a style reminiscent of macOS, and that has its advantages: it can be easier to switch between applications and see at a glance what programs we have open. One of the criticisms that this method has received is that now the apps are constantly in motion, moving to the left as we open new ones.
New Windows 11 start menu
The start menu, therefore, no longer emerges from the lower left corner, but instead appears in the center of the screen, floating above the rest of the windows. This is one of the parts that have changed the most, coming from Windows 10X, the canceled system designed for two-screen devices.
No more ‘live tiles’, the boxes that divided the start menu and which were released in Windows 8. Now the start menu looks more like those of mobile phones, with quick access to the available apps and files. From here we also have access to the search.
Center vs Left, pick your choice
— Aggiornamenti Lumia (@ALumia_Italia)
If all this sounds strange to you, you’ll be glad to know that it’s possible to go back to the classic design. For starters, the taskbar can be moved to the left by right-clicking and changing the alignment.
Windows 11 with the Windows 10 start menu
And the Windows 10 start menu is still within the system, but in that case you have to touch registry items. But if you do it all, you should be able to enjoy the same Windows 10 interface.
Has window management been improved?
An important addition to the desktop, which will be appreciated by those with a large monitor or many open windows, is the integration of a function to dock windows. If we put the mouse over the maximize button, a small pop-up window will appear that will allow us to distribute the windows as we want, dividing the screen into two, three or four.
Sharing windows in Windows 11 will be easier
If we have a touch screen, we will also have access to new gestures that will help us better manage open apps.
Windows 11 gestures
— ADeltaX (@ADeltaXForce)
A change that will be more controversial is in the widgets. With that name, we could think that Microsoft has realized the good work that Apple has done with the , and has adapted them; but no, “widgets” is what the “News and interests” section is now called, which shows information such as the weather forecast or the news of the day. In Windows 10, that was one of the most annoying additions to the taskbar, and far from removing it, Microsoft has turned it into a floating window that appears on top of all other windows.
News and interests on Windows 11 looks better
— Aggiornamenti Lumia (@ALumia_Italia)
We have a more pleasant change in the new wallpapers, which represent this new stage of Windows. There are two versions, which have already been leaked for anyone to use. The new icons have also received praise for the way they change the style of Windows.
Windows 11 wallpapers (h/t)
— Aggiornamenti Lumia (@ALumia_Italia)
Will it cost anything?
Windows 11 will be an update to Windows 10 and therefore it will be free if we already have a computer with that system. Not only that, but a quick look at reveals that Microsoft will allow free upgrades from Windows 7, so we’ll have another chance to upgrade our old PCs for free.
On the contrary, it seems that Microsoft has put a price on the possibility of creating local accounts. When we install the system, we will be asked to log in to our Microsoft account (a free Outlook account is fine); but we no longer have the option to create a local account without internet access. Only the Windows 11 Pro version will offer that option during the installation process, which will be called “Limited Experience.”
It is evident that Microsoft wants to make Windows 11 the perfect excuse to use its services. The integration with Xbox is greater, with a new app with a renewed design to enjoy, and soon we will be able to play no matter how powerful our computer is thanks to the cloud. We will also have integration with OneDrive to store our files in the cloud.
The version of Windows 11 that has been leaked is not the final one, and it shows; there are many bugs and glitches, and it is evident that there are parts whose development has not finished. Therefore, between now and the official presentation many things can change, but for now, this new Windows 11 arouses both praise and criticism.
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