Windows 11
Windows 11 is the latest desktop operating system from Microsoft. It was announced on June 24, 2021,[1] with the plan to release it to the public in the fall of 2021. This operating system is similar to Windows 10 in many ways, but brings numerous cosmetic changes, as well as some improvements "under the hood".[2]
This latest release continues with the more controversial trends already seen in Windows, including promotion of the Microsoft Store and Microsoft Teams,[3] integration of Microsoft's XBox gaming services, and mandating that each computer's operating system be attached to an individual's real identity.[4]
Requirements
Windows 11 will have higher hardware requirements than previous versions. Notably, the new system mandates the usage of UEFI and Secure Boot, and needs a motherboard which offers a TPM 2.0 module. The provided list of system requirements are as follows:
- Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with two or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or system on a chip (SoC).[4]
- RAM: 4 GB or greater.[4]
- Storage: 64 GB or greater to install Windows 11. (Additional storage space may be required to download updates and enable specific features.)[4]
- Graphics card: Compatible with DirectX 12 or later, with a WDDM 2.0 driver.[4]
- System firmware: UEFI, Secure Boot capable.[4]
- TPM: Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0.[4]
- Display: High definition (720p) display, 9 inch or greater monitor, 8 bits per color channel.[4]
- Internet connection: Internet connectivity is necessary to install and update the system, and to download and use some features.[4]
- Microsoft account: Each personal operating system installation is tied to a individual person. Users must therefore create a profile on Microsoft's website (if they do not have one already) in order to use Windows 11.[4]
Upgrade process
It is expected that as always, new devices will begin selling with Windows 11 pre-installed. For people already using Windows 10, it appears that Microsoft intends to push out the new operating system to compatible devices which are currently running Windows 10. This will presumably be done through Windows Update.[5] However, some computers do not meet the minimum hardware requirements, so they will need to be replaced. For some devices which seem to be incompatible, it may also be possible to perform a firmware update on the motherboard, in order to enable TMP 2.0 features, thus potentially making them compatible.
References
- ↑ https://www.windowscentral.com/how-watch-microsoft-announce-windows-11-june-24
- ↑ https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2021/06/24/introducing-windows-11/
- ↑ https://insider.windows.com/en-us/insidewindows11/article/inside-the-new-windows-11-store
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 4.9 https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/whats-new/windows-11-requirements
- ↑ https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/whats-new/windows-11
