Verdict
Windows 11 is not a dramatic step forward from Windows 10 . But it ’s no litigious Windows Vista - a - similar , and that is all Microsoft needed to do to keep us largely well-chosen for now .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
Windows 11 has been around since October 2021 . metre flies , right ? At its launch , Windows 11 faced significant performance and compatibility issue . But almost two geezerhood on , most of these problems have been press out . Windows 11 is now a honest , rather likeable system .
But is Windows 11 actually a footstep forward from Windows 10 ? And should you favour it over ChromeOS or MacOS if you have the pick ? I ’ll into these questions , and Windows 11 ’s majuscule strengths and shortcomings , in this review .
Design
There are five sections to the top - most layer of Windows 11 . And , day - to - day , you may more - or - less forget at least a duet of them .
First up , there ’s the desktop . This can be a coldcock terra firma for random pics and junk , a place where you keep your most commonly used app icons . Or just a outer space to show off your current favored wallpaper .
The second , perhaps most significant of the lot , is the Start menu . This is where you access all the apps and biz installed on Windows 11 .
Below this is the Windows lookup bar and the icon bob . These are important too . It ’s where you should put some of your most - used apps , and where you see which apps are presently scarper . Little blob underneath the image ? That have in mind an app is currently active .
In the bottom - right corner , we have the Tray Area . It ’s most important for laptop exploiter , as it ’s the quickest manner to control screenland luminousness and see your stamp battery spirit . you may also toggle feature like Wi - Fi here .
The final , and perhaps least important , Windows 11 home screenland area is the Widgets panel . As the name suggest , this is a separate blind where you’re able to load up gimmick for thing like descent trackers , weather reports and sportswoman scores . The panel is also dwelling house to news storey peck from the net .
This is likely the most ignore area of Windows 11 , just as most mass we know do n’t utilise the comparable screen found in Android sound ’ house screen .
Is Windows 11 ’s UI light to get on with ? Sure , I guess so . However , it ’s when you dig slightly deeply that Windows 11 diverges from competitor like MacOS and Chrome OS . In File Explorer , Windows lets you see the cutting content of your hard thrust , not a limited , curated pick of single file , for example .
This mean you could fatally damage your installation of Windows if you go bad around cancel files . But to those who have used PCs for decades , this approach often just makes intuitive sense .
Customisability
window 11 may seem a surprisingly stiff port study it is , in other orbit , the power drug user ’s option . For example , in older versions of Windows , you could move the bottom menage projection screen taskbar to the side of the screen . you’re able to do so in MacOS , too .
But here ? No chance . All you could do is choose whether the icons are adjust centrally or smushed to the leftfield , which is the more “ Hellenic ” Windows style . A lot of Windows 11 updaters were miffed at get hold they no longer have control over where this measure ride .
Windows 11 makes up for this with some of the shenanigans you may get up to on the background . It lets you put widgets on there , clutter up the joint , for exercise . These could be clock displays , central processor meters or calendars , and there are third - company apps that provide them . It ’s asort ofsemi - official feature .
Most people do n’t use these widgets , not least because it ’s not a feature that makes its cosmos obvious . But it sure permit power exploiter experience like tycoon users .
Baked - in customisation feature are a slight uncomplicated and cleaner . Windows 11 supports themes , for exemplar . These are presets that collate wallpapers and menu accent colours .
instead , you could tweak these elements manually and prefer between Light and Dark themes . The most impactful change are discover in the Display part of preferences . Here you may alter the “ scale ” of the system of rules , which affects how large schoolbook and icons are . You use these to get the organisation looking right on a very high pixel - density show .
Apps and Software
I still consider Windows 11 the default platform for computer software package , even though MacOS has some of import scoop . count at the number and you marvel if it could be any other way .
Microsoft enunciate Windows 11 and its predecessor Windows 10 are used by 1.4 billion devices each month . According toStatcounter , Windows book 54.95 % desktop osmium market share , compared to Mac OS ’s 33.91 % . While Windows is mislay flat coat to Apple , it remain the imbed market leader by some border .
Windows is also passably near for those who want to run older computer software . It has not , for representative , set down backup for 32 - bit apps like Apple . While compatibility issues with ancient software are still vulgar , and unavoidable , Microsoft provides compatibility modes for Windows Vista , Windows 7 and Windows 8 .
window 11 is not bad for liberal - form messing about , fiddle and digging back into the yesteryear , as well as running the latest and greatest apps . However , it ’s pretty bad at being the steward of its own chopine ’s apps .
The Microsoft Store launched more than a decade ago , in 2012 , but it is still pretty piteous . It ’s clunky , the UI can be a pain to use , and I ’ve institute it to be extremely buggy compare to , say , Apple ’s App Store on Mac or Google Play on an Android twist .
I recommend keep off the Microsoft Store unless you want to use it .
If you buy a punk window laptop you may find you are forced into using it , though . There are three key versions of Windows 11 . There ’s Windows 11S , Windows 11 Home and Windows 11 Pro .
The “ S ” version is found in some lower - execution machine , and it is specify to install apps from the Microsoft Store . It aim to offer a smooth , more secure experience . But I ’m just beaming you may switch out of Windows 11S and into the received edition , to instal whatever you desire from elsewhere .
Windows 11 Pro is mostly of interest to business exploiter , as it lets IT managers remotely master devices . It also supports systems with more than 128 GB RAM and has advanced virtualisation characteristic . However , the vast majority of ordinary buyer should be looking at received Windows 11 Home . Just because you consider yourself a “ pro ” , it does n’t mean you need Windows 11 Pro .
Heading back to apps , you’re able to also install Android apps on Windows 11 . It call for the installation of a non - obvious piece of package from the Microsoft Store , even though this feature has been in preview since 2021 .
It shape . But you do n’t get Google Play store access , just the Amazon AppStore , which does n’t have nearly as good a survival of the fittest of apps . I unremarkably kvetch about how shift Google Play for the App Store , as in Amazon Fire tablets , put away you out from Android ’s most ambitious software . But warhead of that is available natively for Windows anyway .
This is a nice - to - have , if not desperately useful , boast that mostly seems a replication to Apple ’s Mac support for iPhone apps , announced in 2018 .
You should also prepare to buy , or at least download , more Windows 11 apps to get work done . Where Macs include big Apple - made productivity apps , Windows 11 ’s preinstalled WordPad word processor is very basic . admittance to Microsoft ’s Office suite is not include as standard .
Performance and Gaming
Windows 11 is easily the best personal calculator operating system for gaming . It has the most expansive library , and the wide funding . And the Windows PC market place offer computer hardware options that just are n’t there with Mac computers . you may get reasonably affordable gambling - quick Windows PCs , for example .
This is all made crack - easy by centralised gambling platforms like Steam , GOG and Epic Games . These are storefront , all owned by game publishers . And while they cater for platforms other than Windows , it ’s the master role player by a huge leeway .
Steam is owned by Valve , which made Half - Life 2 . GOG is possess by CD Projekt , the parent company of the developer of The Witcher series and hacker 2077 . Epic Games is the maker of Fortnite . However , each of these stores is plate to countless publishers ’ game , not just the I they own .
PC gaming is not quite as bare as cabinet play . But it is a lot more friendly than it was in , say , the 1990s .
At the very offset of Windows 11 ’s lifespan , it had some moderately significant performance issues that made some gamers conservative about upgrading from Windows 10 . However , these have since been ameliorated and there ’s no percipient reasonnotto upgrade for most Windows user .
window 11 does have a higher roadblock to submission than its predecessor , though . Windows 10 want 1 GB tup for a 32 - bit installation , and 2 GB for 64 - bit . Windows 11 is 64 - bit only and requires a minimum of 4 GB RAM .
In all honesty , though , I think 8 GB RAM is the minimum to consider for either generation of Windows if you intend to expend your microcomputer or laptop a lot . 4 GB come with a quite obvious twenty-four hours - to - day performance hit .
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Should you buy it?
Windows is the default option for immense wrapping of the personal computer - purchasing populace for good reasonableness . While not a revelation , Windows 11 is a solid continuation of the body of work put into Windows 10 with the rootage of some more forward - looking feature film like Android app support .
Windows 11 may not be the best choice for super - low - end buyers . It does n’t fly the coop all that well with the minimal spec of 4 GB Aries . At this point , you may need to think Chrome OS , which tend to be more forgiving of faint hardware .
Final Thoughts
window 11 is the obvious go - to operating scheme for PC and laptop buyers unless you have a very modified budget or a very high-pitched one . When going low , believe aChromeOSdevice . calculate higher ? You might want to considerMacOS .
Microsoft Windows fly high everywhere in - between , and also at the higher - end thanks to its fantastic app and game support . Possibilities finger near - limitless with Windows when you pair it with competent hardware .
It ’s not a in particular inventive update , one that make underage ocular changes to Windows 10 that not everyone will love . But that ’s sensible considering the backlash do by some more contentious Windows press release from the past .
Trusted Score
How we test
Testing was carried out through our tangible - macrocosm experience with this operating system . The atomic number 76 was tested for apps , software system and compatibility capability , alongside the examination of unexampled features added to this adaptation of the operating organisation .
FAQs
An official Windows 11 license is not free , but most laptop and desktops admit one .
windowpane 11 has slightly high entry requisite , a redesign port and work - in - progress reinforcement for Android apps .
It does not let in Office , although you are typically offered a 365 subscription tribulation on frame-up , which includes Office access .
