Windows 11 Feature Recap – What to Expect From the New OS

For the last several months, we’ve been getting feature updates and announcements from Microsoft regarding the upcoming Windows 11 release. This new operating system, according to the developers, is meant to create a superior work environment compared to the previous version, but also focuses on giving users the best streamlined and personalized experience, considering that PC use is at an all-time high and most people use their devices for more than just work. 

Our personal computers and mobile devices have been slowly expanding their utilities in our lives, to the point where, for the vast majority of everyday tasks, all it takes is booting up a PC and getting to work, or flipping out our phones to make a purchase or look something up instantly. Microsoft is well aware of this increasing reliance on computers, which is what influenced their decision to make Windows 11 as intuitive and user-centered as possible, offering features to streamline menu navigation, putting the relevant information always front and center, and giving the Windows we all know and love a fresh new look to go with its optimized functionality.

With the Windows 11 release date only a few weeks away, we sat down to look up all the features that the new operating system will include upon its release so that you know what to expect and decide whether or not you want to upgrade. With that being said, here’s a list of the most important features coming with the release of Windows 11:

• A Sleek and Intuitive Interface and Revamped Audio Design

As we mentioned just now, Windows 11 will feature a minimalistic UI design focused on giving the users the information they need at a moment’s notice. To this end, the new operating system will have a “centered” design, with the most relevant items right in the middle of the screen in its most frequently used elements, including the Start menu. Similarly, Windows 11 will also feature customized user recommendations in its menus, with the most used apps and files in its own separate section. Said recommendations are synchronized across all devices, including on mobile phones that use the OneDrive app.

Windows 11 also features enhanced sounds and audio design, some of which change depending on whether the computer is in dark mode or light mode. 

• Snap Layouts, Snap Groups, and Multiple Desktops for Enhanced Navigation

To optimize menu navigation and multitasking, Windows 11 is introducing Snap Layouts, a feature that lets you organize active tasks intuitively so that you can have the documents you’re working on, along with all the relevant info, in one same screen, with the press of a button. Additionally, users can sort several groups of layouts with different tasks into multiple Snap Groups, and switch between them freely as the situation demands. In this sense, you could sort your work, gaming, and browsing into separate Snap Groups, and switch them on the fly.

To help further enhance multitasking, Windows 11 will also feature support for multiple Virtual Desktops, all of which are fully customizable with their own backgrounds, icon layouts, and more.

• Chatting Made Easy with Microsoft Teams 2.0

Windows 11 makes it much easier to stay in touch with your friends, family, and colleagues through its new and enhanced Microsoft Teams 2.0. This new version of the popular chatting software offers several improved features over the previous, including taskbar integration and the ability to view and respond to chat instantly simply by pressing WIN + C at any moment. 

• Your Personalized News and Info Feed-in One Place with the Widgets Panel

The new Widgets panel features a variety of customizable widgets that show information relevant to the user such as daily news, weather, and articles on topics of interest. These widgets can be dragged and dropped on the desktop, after which the user can freely adjust its size and positioning.

• The Best Gaming Experience With Personalized and Enhanced Features

For the gaming crowd out there, Windows 11 will feature a wide slew of elements that will reportedly make it the best operating system for gaming. The most outstanding of these features is the Auto HDR, and DirectStorage technologies.

Auto HDR lets users enjoy enhanced graphics and visuals in their favorite games, even the ones that run on DirectX 11. For those who are unfamiliar, HDR gives users a much wider range of brightness and colors in games, which allows for more vibrant and striking images. Meanwhile, DirectStorage is a technology that will benefit users with NVMe SSDs, as it significantly reduces load times by loading assets directly to the graphics card without slowing down the CPU. 

• Microsoft Store With a Brand New Look and Future Native Support for Android Apps

As with most other menus and interface elements in Windows 11, the Microsoft Store also features revamped visuals and design, making it much easier and intuitive to search for apps. Also, while the reported native support for Android apps through the Microsoft store has been delayed to sometime after launch, it’s still a feature that will be coming in the future. Luckily, BlueStacks will be compatible with Windows 11, which means that users will still be able to enjoy their favorite Android games on PC.

• Improved Accessibility Options

Windows 11 is meant to appeal to the widest possible audience, and this obviously includes those with disabilities. For this reason, the new OS features the same accessibility features we’ve come to expect, like Narrator, Magnifier, Closed Captions, and Speech Recognition. However, some of these aspects have been upgraded, while there have also been new elements added to further improve the user’s experience with the operating system.

From different contrast modes, light and dark themes, voice typing, coupled with the revamped visual and sound designs, it’s apparent that the new accessibility options in Windows 11 were built by collaborating with users with disabilities, and for users with disabilities.

We explained some of these features and what they will entail for the user in our June announcements recap. Feel free to check it out if you want to learn more. But for now, we hope that this list of features that are coming in the Windows 11release date this October 5 can help you to decide whether or not you want to upgrade. Remember that those who own a computer with Windows 10 can do so for free if their PC meets the requirements.