Search and Start are still split up on Windows 11, which is fine, but not my favorite way of doing things. There's also a full apps list that shows you all your installed apps that can be accessed via the 'all apps' button located just above your pinned apps.Īlong the top of the Start menu is a search bar, which really only acts as a shortcut to the dedicated Search function you can access via the search icon on your Taskbar. The Start menu offers three rows of six icons that you can have pinned, with the ability to scroll through 'pages' if you have more apps that you need to pin. This is basically exactly how other modern OSes do things these days, so it's no surprise to see Windows joining the fray. Live tiles are gone, with apps now displaying a static app icon and its name beneath it. No longer is the Start menu home to a completely customizable layout of app tiles it's now a grid of icons that you can pin, unpin, and reorganize, and that's pretty much it.

The new Start menu has taken the simplistic approach to doing an app launcher. Now, this isn't a 'Windows 8-level' change, but it's still going to take some getting used to. Start has been a staple part of the Windows user experience for decades, so it's always a big deal when it changes significantly, as it has on Windows 11. Windows 11 introduces new interfaces in almost every area of the desktop experience, and that includes the Start menu. Once that's done, you should also head to Windows Update in the new Settings app and check for updates there to ensure you have the latest drivers designed for Windows 11. Once you're up and running on Windows 11, the first thing you need to do is head to the Microsoft Store app and check for updates to ensure that you have the latest versions of all the pre-installed Windows 11 apps. However, I know there are many people out there who refuse to use one, and this is going to be a problem for those people. I don't find this to be much of a big deal, as I actually like the integration and benefits you get with signing into a Microsoft Account. That said, Microsoft has made some policy changes here that you need to know about.įor the first time, Microsoft is making it mandatory for PCs with Windows 11 Home to be signed in with a Microsoft Account and connected to Wi-Fi during the out-of-box experience. Gone is the old Cortana-driven installer, and in its place is a clean and simplistic design that takes you through setting up Windows 11 with ease. Windows 11 has a brand new out-of-box experience, which walks you through setup. Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)

Windows 11 is a breath of fresh air for those who enjoy the spectacle of software design, and a great release for those who value productivity enhancements and 'getting to work' over everything else. It's an absolute joy to use, with a fluid UX that is almost perfect. The good news is, for those who prefer simplicity over complexity, Windows 11 is going to be a great release for you.

Microsoft is trying to make the Windows UX easier to use for casual PC users who may be more familiar with modern OS experiences such as iOS and Android, but this comes at the cost of simplifying some common features or behaviors that some old-school Windows die-hards may struggle to adapt to. One of Microsoft's goals with Windows 11 has been to declutter and simplify the user experience (UX) where possible. Everything from the Start menu and Taskbar right down to the context menus and in-box apps have been updated to look more consistent with the rest of the new Windows 11 design. Most of the top-level user interfaces have been updated with a fresh look with new animations, iconography, and sounds. Windows 11 focuses on three key areas: a fresh and modern UX designed to make using Windows simpler, new features and tweaks built around making you more productive, and a renewed focus on the Microsoft Store. Most PCs going forward will ship with Windows 11 out of box from this date, though some OEMs will likely continue to offer SKUs with Windows 10 for the foreseeable future.īe sure to check out our list of best Windows 11 PCs if you're interested in seeing what new PCs are ready for Windows 11. Windows 11 is also available on new PCs starting October 5 2021. Your PC must meet the following requirements to be eligible for the Windows 11 upgrade: When your PC is ready, a big popup will appear in Windows Update that will allow you to initiate the download and install process, and Windows will do the rest. Microsoft is taking a measured and phased approach to the rollout, however, meaning not everybody will be offered the update immediately.

Windows 11 is now generally available as an update for eligible Windows 10 PCs. Source: Microsoft (Image credit: Source: Microsoft)

Should we upgrade to windows 11