Windows 11

Windows 11 is the newest version of Microsoft's Windows NT operating system. It came out on October 5, 2021, as an update for people using Windows 10. This version added a fresh look and new features to make using a computer more fun.

One of the biggest changes in Windows 11 is its new design. It has a centered Start menu and a special area for Widgets, which shows news and updates. It also includes technology for gaming, like Auto HDR and DirectStorage, to help games run better on some computers.

Windows 11 needs more powerful hardware to work well. It needs newer processors from Intel, AMD, or Qualcomm, and special security features like UEFI and Secure Boot. Because of these needs, some older computers cannot run Windows 11.

Even with these higher needs, Windows 11 has become very popular. It became the most used version of Windows, and many people around the world now use it. It brought better design, security, and gaming while still supporting older programs.

Development

At the 2015 Ignite conference, a Microsoft employee said that Windows 10 would be the "last version of Windows." This meant that Microsoft would keep updating Windows 10 over time instead of making new versions.

In October 2019, Microsoft talked about a future version of Windows 10 called "Windows 10X," for devices with two touchscreens. But by May 2020, they decided to focus on devices with one touchscreen first.

In October 2020, Microsoft began working on a new look for Windows 10, called "Sun Valley," planned for a late-2021 update. By December 2020, they started showing these changes to testers, like new icons and better features.

On May 18, 2021, Microsoft canceled Windows 10X but said they would use some of its ideas in other products.

Announcement

During the Microsoft Build 2021 conference, Microsoft's leader, Satya Nadella, hinted that a new version of Windows was coming. On June 24, 2021, Windows 11 was officially announced in a virtual event hosted by Panos Panay. Nadella described it as a "re-imagining of the operating system."

Release and marketing

Windows 11 was accidentally mentioned in a Microsoft support document in June 2021. Leaked images of an early version appeared online soon after.

Microsoft announced that Windows 11 would be released in "Holiday 2021" as a free upgrade for compatible Windows 10 devices. The official release date was set for October 5, 2021. The first TV commercial for Windows 11 aired during the NFL Kickoff Game on September 9, 2021. Promotions included lighting up the Burj Khalifa in Dubai with the Windows 11 logo.

Features

Main article: Features new to Windows 11

See also: List of features removed in Windows 11

Windows 11, released in 2021, changed the look and feel of its predecessor with a new design focused on ease of use and flexibility. It added new features for productivity, social interactions, security, and accessibility.

The Microsoft Store was redesigned to allow more types of apps, including those from other stores. Windows 11 also includes the Microsoft Teams app for chatting and collaborating, and it supports running Android apps through a special system. Microsoft says that Windows 11 runs faster and uses less space than its predecessor. It also comes with the Microsoft Edge web browser and includes technologies from Xbox for better gaming experiences.

Editions

Windows 11 has two main versions: the Home version for everyday users and the Pro version, which has extra features for networking and security, like BitLocker. The Home version usually only allows apps from the Microsoft Store and needs an Internet connection and a Microsoft account to set it up for the first time. Starting from version 22H2, the Pro version also needs a Microsoft account for setup, unless it's used for work.

There is also a Windows 11 SE version made for school computers. It works best with tools like Microsoft Office and Minecraft Education Edition. This version doesn’t come with the usual Microsoft Store, so schools can choose which programs to install. Support for Windows 11 SE will end in October 2026 after the 2024 Update.

Other versions of Windows 11 include Pro Education, Pro for Workstations, Education, Enterprise, and more. These are similar to their Windows 10 versions. There are also special versions for certain countries to follow local laws.

Supported languages

Before Windows 11 came out, there were two ways for device makers and businesses to set up languages on new computers. With Windows 11, this changed. Five new languages were added, making a total of 43 fully-supported languages.

These languages need to be set up in a special way to make sure everything works well.

The other 67 languages can now be added by users themselves using the Microsoft Store and Windows Settings, instead of during the computer setup. This makes it easier for everyone to choose their language, but the exact options depend on the computer maker and where the computer was bought.

Updates and support

Windows 11, like Windows 10, has a special update plan made by Microsoft. Big updates come once a year. Home and Pro versions get help for two years, and Education and Enterprise versions get help for three years. Windows 11 may not work well on a computer that does not meet its basic needs.

Windows 11 gets big updates every year. Sometimes Microsoft adds new features during these updates. Starting in 2022, for Enterprise and Education versions, new features are turned off until the next update. But users can turn these features on using special settings called a group policy.

Preview releases

The Windows Insider program continues from Windows 10. It has different levels of preview versions: "Dev" for testing new features, "Beta" for testing the next big update, and "Release Preview" for testing the final versions before they are released.

Versions

Known issues

Version 24H2 has more known problems than usual. Some of these issues need new drivers or free software updates to fix. Some devices have trouble with face recognition and cameras, and a few older games and apps might not work right. This includes Asphalt 8 and a tool that improves Dirac audio.

System requirements

Official

The system requirements for Windows 11 are different from Windows 10. Windows 11 only works on 64-bit systems, like those with an x86-64 or ARM64 processor. Older IA-32 and ARM32 processors are not supported. Windows 11 is the first consumer version of Windows that does not work with 32-bit processors. It needs at least 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage. For the first time, TPM 2.0 is required, but some computer makers can still sell computers without it enabled.

Microsoft checks the processor model before installing Windows 11. As of March 2025, supported processors include eighth generation Intel Core CPUs and later, AMD Zen+ CPUs/APUs and later, and Qualcomm Snapdragon 850 and later. On May 20, 2024, Microsoft announced "Copilot+ PC"—a special type of Windows 11 device that needs an on-board AI accelerator, at least 256 GB of storage, and at least 16 GB of RAM. The first Copilot+ PCs use the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite chip.

Unofficial

Computers with unsupported 64-bit processors can still install and use Windows 11, but users must accept that they won’t get updates and that any problems are not covered by the manufacturer’s warranty. There are also unofficial ways to bypass some of Windows 11’s official requirements, and Microsoft provides an official bypass method.

Firmware compatibility

Windows 11 no longer officially supports legacy BIOS; it needs a UEFI system and a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 security chip. Many newer CPUs have a TPM built-in, but it might need to be turned on in the computer’s settings.

Third-party software

Some third-party software might not run on Windows 11 if it doesn’t meet the hardware security requirements.

IoT Enterprise editions

The IoT Enterprise editions of Windows 11 have different requirements. Starting with version 24H2, these editions no longer need a TPM or UEFI. They also need less RAM and storage space.

Reception

When Windows 11 was first shown, people liked its new look and tools. But some were worried because Microsoft made the rules for Windows 11 very strict. This meant many older computers could not update.

When Windows 11 came out, reviewers had mixed feelings. They liked the new looks and some changes. But they also found some parts confusing, like not being able to pick favorite apps easily or some tools missing. Some thought it was a good update, while others felt it was not much better than the old version, Windows 10.

People also noticed that some games did not run as fast on Windows 11 as they did on Windows 10. This made some gamers stick with the older version. It took a few years, but by mid-2025, more people were using Windows 11 than Windows 10, mostly because Windows 10 stopped getting updates. Some computer users even started using Linux instead.