This is it: Windows 11 is now official. Weeks after an early build leaked to the public, Microsoft took to the stage to announce the next Windows six years after the last major version. Windows 11 is a major departure from its predecessor, featuring big UI and performance changes.

The new Start menu, taskbar, and Teams integration

Booting up Windows 11, users will notice a new and refreshed experience. By default, the taskbar is now centrally aligned. The system tray (systray) icon also sees some major change while invoking a sense of familiarity.

The Start menu is still there, yet gone are the live tiles that defined Windows 10. Simplicity is the norm here, as the Start menu surfaces app icons and recommendations by default. By the way, the recommendations are now tightly integrated with Microsoft 365 and cloud experiences.

The new Start menu. Image Source: Microsoft

However, live tiles aren’t completely gone. Windows 11 introduces Windows Widgets, which is a separate place for AI-powered widgets. It looks like familiar to the one on iOS right now, and frankly, this is where Windows 10’s News & Interests widgets now reside. Still, it is a welcome addition to Windows, considering that Windows 7 also has an almost-similar functionality in the form of  Sidebars.

Windows Widgets. Image Source: Microsoft

Microsoft Teams are also getting a much tighter integration on Windows 11. Users can now access the Chat from Microsoft Teams right from the taskbar. In a way, it replaces the People section on the taskbar which is gone from Windows 11.

Tighter Microsoft Teams integration. Image Source: Microsoft

Improved window snapping experience and desktops

Microsoft states that Windows 11 “cuts through complexity and brings simplicity.” One way they did that with the new Windows is by bringing an improved window snapping experience.

With the improved snapping experience, users can take advantage of bigger screens and snap up to three windows. A new fly-out appears when snapping with different layouts for the windows. Snapped windows show as groups in the taskbar too, so users can easily switch on a whim.

Improved snapping experience. Image Source: Microsoft

Desktops — a feature introduced by Windows 10 — is also getting some nifty improvements. Windows 11 will now remember the desktops for each screen. For example, users can use a desktop for work and project it to their second monitor. Upon reconnecting to that second monitor, Windows 11 will automatically surface that desktop for work.

Focus on gaming, Microsoft Store gets an overhaul

Windows 11 will also bring improvements to gaming. Microsoft name three big additions to improve the gaming experience: Direct X 12 Ultimate, DirectStorage, and Auto HDR. It is worth noting though, that Auto HDR is not totally new since Windows 10 users are also getting that feature.

Meanwhile, Microsoft Store is getting a major overhaul for Windows 11. This is welcome news for many Windows users, as Microsoft Store has been traditionally ridden with problems. Big changes include major UI overhaul, as well as changes to the commerce model.  Microsoft will now allow app developers to publish their own apps and keep all the revenues to themselves.

The new Microsoft Store. Image Source: Microsoft

Android apps are coming along with new app designs

Microsoft also teased major UI redesigns for some of its in-built apps during a separate session for developers. That includes redesigned Settings, File Explorer, refreshed Microsoft Paint and Notepad, and more. The session also teased a new Microsoft Office design. All in all, these designs feature the Fluent Design that Microsoft has been pushing across all its apps and services for the past few years.

A redesigned Settings app. Image Source: Microsoft

Finally, one of the biggest highlights of the Windows 11 is the capability to run Android apps. Microsoft partnered with Amazon to bring a selection of Android apps to the Microsoft Store. Sure, there are limitations on what Android apps can run in Windows 11. However, this is still a big addition to Windows, since users may now run supported Android apps natively without resorting to any third-party solutions.

By the way, the capability to run Android apps is all thanks to Intel Bridge, a new technology resulting from collaboration between Microsoft and Intel.

Android apps on the Microsoft Store. Image Source: Microsoft

Availability

Microsoft didn’t announce any concrete dates for the launch of Windows 11. Rather, the company announced a general availability during the later part of 2021. The new Windows will be offered as a free update for eligible Windows 10 PCs. Users may check if their PCs are eligible through this website.