Windows 11 vs. Windows 10: should you upgrade?

Is Windows 11 really an improvement, or just a digit change that brings little or nothing? If you didn’t know, you can update your PC to the latest version of Microsoft’s operating system quickly and following the instructions of the manufacturer itself, a method that, otherwise, we strongly recommend to avoid malware that abounds in search engines . But is it worth it? Which things do you improve, and which ones stay exactly the same? We tell you everything in the following guide.

Windows 11 versus Windows 10: news

Although Windows 11 doesn’t seem like much more than a new version of Windows 10, the operating system packs a ton of new features. There are relatively small changes – like a new Start menu and taskbar – as well as some defining features, like support for Android apps in Windows 11.

Better design and features

Windows 11 signals a big visual change for Microsoft. In the new operating system, Microsoft centers the taskbar and Start menu on the screen. This makes it look a bit more like macOS and ChromeOS. However, you can move it to the left, if you wish.

But if you want to pin your taskbar to the right or left of the screen, we have bad news for you. You can’t do it natively anymore, since in Windows 11 the taskbar only stays at the bottom. However, third-party (and paid) apps like Start11 can do it.

Outside of this visual change, Windows 11 comes with rounded window corners, new app icons, and new Windows 11-exclusive Emojis. Still, Windows 11 doesn’t come with the 3D emojis that Microsoft introduced during the initial release.

There are also several small feature additions, including live captions for your browser and focus mode, which allow you to customize your notification settings for a set amount of time while you work.

Start menu and taskbar

If you look at the differences between Windows 11 and Windows 10, the most important ones are the Start menu and the taskbar.

When it comes to the Start menu, things in Windows 11 are a bit simpler. You’ll only see a static list of apps, followed by their most used documents at the bottom. Critically, Live Tiles are gone in Windows 11, making the Start menu look much neater.

As for the taskbar, Microsoft wraps up the search box into one icon, while removing Cortana features in Windows 11. You’ll now find a dedicated icon for Microsoft Teams on the taskbar. However, you can remove the icon if you don’t use Teams.

The other big change involves moving the weather to the taskbar to the left side of the screen. This was known as News & Interest in Windows 10, but in Windows 11, this is replaced by Widgets. You’ll still see the weather, but you’ll also see other things like your favorite news, sports scores, traffic, and more.

Windows 11 also introduces virtual desktops that let you keep separate spaces for work, play, or whatever else you want to do.

Android app integration

The Windows 11 and Windows 10 app stores are based on the same design. However, the Windows 11 app store does provide support for Android apps through the Amazon Appstore. Only certain Android apps are supported, so don’t get too excited either, but we also assume that this number will continue to increase.

Enhanced Game Features

If you want the best Windows operating system for gaming, Windows 11 is what you need. Recent updates to Windows 11 included optimizations for running games in windowed mode, and it supports features like Auto HDR and DirectStorage, an upcoming feature that helps games load in less than a second.

Some of these features (like DirectStorage), are also available in Windows 10. Microsoft has made it clear that gaming is a big focus for Windows 11, so it’s now the best platform for gamers, especially with some of the bugs. of performance already solved. PC gamers are upgrading to Windows 11 in droves, which is a good sign.

Snap Layouts and multitasking

In Windows 11 you can increase your multitasking and system performance with Snap Layouts, which groups your windows and saves them to the taskbar. This is available in Windows 10, but Windows 11 makes it easier to access Snap Layouts and provides more settings. Microsoft has also updated Snap Layouts with even more features since its release.

Windows 11 also solves a big problem with multi-monitor setups. Windows 11 remembers how you had your windows on your external monitor, and will save them in that state when you disconnect from a monitor and then reconnect it. This was one of the most annoying problems with Windows 10, and Windows 11 has fixed it.

Improved tablet mode

Windows 11 behaves more like an iPad, and when you switch your device to a tablet, things become more touch-friendly. That includes new gestures for opening the Start menu, closing windows, and more, none of which are present in Windows 10.

Additionally, Windows 11 offers more comprehensive pen functionality. You can still use Whiteboard to collaborate visually, but Windows 11 also supports up to four app shortcuts through your pen.

Voice navigation is also improved in Windows 11, allowing you to use your voice to launch apps, enter keyboard and mouse input, control the operating system, and basically anything else you might need. In short, Windows 11 allows you to fully control the operating system with your voice.

Performance

According to Microsoft, Windows 11 works hard on memory management to favor which app windows you have open and running in the foreground. This should ensure that you get more CPU power over other system resources. Windows 11 also suspends some data in RAM while your PC is asleep, helping you wake up from sleep 25% faster than Windows 10.

Microsoft has also added performance improvements since its release. In February, Windows 11 received an update that increased the speeds of solid-state drives (SSDs), for example.

Windows 11 is snappier than Windows 10, but the differences are small in actual use. The various optimizations in Windows 11 help it run faster on weaker laptops, but you’re not giving up a ton of performance with Windows 10.

Collaboration and remote work

You can use Windows 11 or Windows 10 for remote work, but Windows 11’s collaboration features are much better. It supports background blur, meeting eye contact settings, and auto framing, none of which are present in Windows 10.

These AI-powered features are available through Microsoft Teams, although some of them may depend on the hardware you have on your computer.

Should you upgrade to Windows 11?

Being the latest version of Windows, Windows 11 is the best option for most people. However, its new features also come with some limitations that make some upgrades difficult, especially on older PCs.

Is Windows 11 worth it?

Windows 11 is worth upgrading for most people. It comes with a wide range of new features, performance improvements, and design changes. As the latest Windows operating system, it also often gets more attention than Windows 10.

You’re not taking too much risk by upgrading to Windows 11, either. With a little planning, you can easily uninstall Windows 11 and go back to Windows 10. And with the latest update available, it never made more sense to try.

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