Should I upgrade to Windows 11?
The most recent version of Windows, Windows 11, is a significant redesign of Windows 10. The two operating systems, however, are extremely similar within. Should you update to the most recent Windows OS? That is the question we have answered by side-by-side comparison of Windows 11 and Windows 10.
This comparison is for you if you’re wondering if Windows 11 is any good or if updating to Windows 11 is worthwhile. The most significant variations between Windows 11 and Windows 10 will be discussed, especially how the Windows 11 2022 Update alters things.
Although Windows 11 looks like nothing more than a reskin of Windows 10, the operating system packs in 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 on Windows 11.
Why should I upgrade to Windows 11?
What’s new in Windows 11 compared to Windows
Better features and design
Microsoft makes a significant cosmetic change with Windows 11. Microsoft’s new operating system places the Start menu and Taskbar in the center of the screen. This gives it a slightly more macOS and ChromeOS-like appearance. However, if you choose, you can still reposition it to the left.
We have bad news, though, if you wish to pin your Taskbar to the right or left of the screen. As the Taskbar only remains on the bottom in Windows 11, you can no longer do that natively. However, you can modify it if you want to using paid third-party applications like Start11.
In addition to the primary design change, Windows 11 also features new program icons, rounded corners on windows, and exclusive to Windows 11 Fluent Emojis. The 3D emoticons Microsoft teased at the first launch of Windows 11 are yet to appear.
There are several minor feature upgrades as well, such as the ability to modify your notification settings for a specific period of time while working in Focus mode and live captions for your browser.
Start menu and Taskbar
The Start menu and the Taskbar are the two most noticeable alterations between Windows 11 and Windows 10.
In Windows 11, the Start menu is a little bit more straightforward. You only see a static list of applications, followed at the bottom by your most frequently used papers. Importantly, Windows 11 does away with Live Tiles, giving the Start menu a considerably cleaner appearance.
In Windows 11, Microsoft deleted the Cortana features and reduced the search box on the taskbar to an icon. Microsoft Teams now has its own icon in the Taskbar, which is a feature of Windows 11. If you don’t use Teams, you can choose to remove the symbol.
Moving the weather in the Taskbar to the left side of the screen is the other significant adjustment. In Windows 10, this was known as News and Interests, but in Windows 11, Widgets will take its place (read our roundup of the best Windows 11 widgets). You will still view the weather, along with other information like traffic, your preferred news, sports scores, and more.
Additionally, Windows 11 adds Virtual Desktops, which let you keep distinct desktop workspaces for work, gaming, or other purposes.
Integration of Android apps
The design of the app stores in Windows 11 and Windows 10 is the same. The Amazon Appstore, however, offers support for Android apps in the Windows 11 app store. You should read our article on how to install Android apps on Windows 11 because just a few Android apps are supported.
Microsoft has added more non-Universal Windows Platform (Non-UWP) app categories to Windows 11 compared to Windows 10. You can still use UWP, but now you can also use Win32 applications like Firefox and the Epic Games Store.
Enhanced gameplay capabilities
Windows 11 is the greatest Windows operating system for gamers. The most recent versions to Windows 11 include features like Auto HDR and DirectStorage, which will speed up game loading to under one second and featured enhancements for playing games in windowed mode.
DirectStorage is one of these capabilities that is also accessible on Windows 10. Windows 11 is the better platform for gamers right now, especially now that some of the performance concerns have been resolved. Microsoft has made it obvious that gaming is a significant focus for Windows 11. The fact that so many PC gamers are upgrading to Windows 11 is encouraging.
Multiple tasks with Snap Layouts
The multitasking enhancements in Windows 11 are unique; Windows 10 will not receive a backport of them. With Snap Layouts in Windows 11, you may arrange your windows and save them to the taskbar to improve multitasking and system efficiency. Although Windows 10 offers this, Windows 11 makes it simpler to access Snap Layouts and offers more customizing options. Since its debut, Microsoft has also added new features to Snap Layouts.
Windows 11 also addresses a significant problem with multi-monitor installations. When you unplug a monitor and then plug it back in, Windows 11 will remember how your windows were configured on the external display and save them in that configuration. One of the most irksome issues with Windows 10 that Windows 11 eventually fixes is this one.
Superior tablet mode
The standard tablet mode in Windows 10 causes the Start menu to appear in full-screen on your computer. Windows 11 does away with this. Instead, Windows 11 operates more like an iPad, making things easier to touch when you change your device to a tablet. This features brand-new gestures that are not present in Windows 10 for launching the Start menu, closing windows, and more.
Windows 11 also has enhanced pen capabilities. Windows 11 adds support for up to four app shortcuts through your pen in addition to continuing to support Whiteboard for collaborative visual work.
Windows 11 also improves speech navigation, enabling you to use your voice to perform pretty much anything you would need, including opening apps, entering keyboard and mouse inputs, controlling the operating system, and more. In essence, Windows 11 enables voice control of the OS in its entirety.
Performance
If performance is important to you, Windows 11 is fantastic. In a YouTube video, Microsoft discussed the benefits and performance enhancements in Windows 11.
Microsoft claims that Windows 11 puts a lot of effort into memory management to give preference to the program windows that are open and active in the forefront. They should receive more CPU power as a result of this than from other system resources. Additionally, Windows 11 keeps some data in RAM while your computer rests, making it 25% quicker to get up from sleep than Windows 10.
Since its debut, Microsoft has also incorporated performance enhancements. For instance, a February update to Windows 11 increased SSD (solid-state drive) speeds.
Although Windows 11 is faster than Windows 10, the differences in real-world use are negligible. Windows 11 has a number of optimizations that let it operate faster on less powerful machines, but Windows 10 still offers adequate performance.
Coordination and distance learning
While Windows 10 and Windows 11 both support remote work, Windows 11’s collaborative features are significantly superior. It offers features like backdrop blur, automated framing, and eye contact adjustments for meetings that Windows 10 does not.
Microsoft Teams offers some AI-powered features, albeit some of them can be reliant on your computer’s hardware.
Should I upgrade to Windows 11?
The most popular option for most users is Windows 11, which is the most recent version of Windows. However, some of its new capabilities also come with significant restrictions that make some updates more difficult, particularly on older PCs.
Upgrading to Windows 11
Although upgrading to Windows 11 is a straightforward process, if you’ve been using Windows 10 up until now, you might be wary. The majority of PCs can upgrade from Windows 10 for free with a straightforward Windows update, as we outline in our tutorial on how to install Windows 11. To avoid rogue Windows 11 installs that may appear in search results, we strongly advise taking this way.
Microsoft has finished rolling out Windows 11, so any PC with compatible hardware can upgrade without charge. After updating, you have just ten days to downgrade from Windows 11 to Windows 10. To downgrade after that, you’ll have to perform a clean install (delete all of your data). If you’re the technical kind, you may also try a low-risk dual-boot with Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Microsoft deleted some functions that were included in Windows 10 even though Windows 11 has a lot of new features. A few apps are also eliminated, along with the ability to sync your desktop background, Internet Explorer, and the Math Input window. These programs are Skype, Paint 3D, OneNote for Windows 10, and 3D Viewer. But those are still available in the shop. If you’re worried, Microsoft has a complete list.
System compatibility requirements
The only difficulty in upgrading is the need for Windows 11. You will require TPM 2.0 compatibility on your system and a modern processor from Intel 8th generation or AMD Ryzen 2000 (or newer). In recent PCs, TPM essentially functions as a hardware security processor. TPM 2.0 is supported by almost all desktops and laptops, but if you constructed your own PC, be sure to check our list of TPM-compatible motherboards. This limitation does not apply to bespoke PCs running Windows 10.
Although technically possible, we don’t advise installing Windows 11 on incompatible hardware. You might no longer receive essential security updates from Microsoft if your PC isn’t certified for Windows 11. (though Microsoft has rolled out Windows 11 updates for unsupported hardware since launch).
There’s a strong probability that Windows 11 won’t work on a computer that is more than four years old. That might make the difference between it and Windows 10 in the end.
Is Windows 11 worth it?
For the majority of users, Windows 11 is worth the update. Numerous new features, performance enhancements, and design modifications are included. It typically garners more attention than Windows 10 as the most recent Windows operating system.
Upgrading to Windows 11 carries minimal risk as well. You may easily uninstall Windows 11 and return to Windows 10 with minor preparation. And now that the most recent version is ready, trying it out makes more sense than ever.
