Is Windows 11 worth it for you? Top features

Windows 11, which is the latest version of the Windows operating system is just around the corner. Microsoft is portraying Windows 11 to be a safer, simpler, and more performant version of Windows. It is designed in such a way that it is meant to make using your PC for work and play easier than ever.

However, it is safe to say that Windows 11 is just a refinement of Windows 10. This is because some improvements are so subtle that you might fail to notice them unless you are specifically looking for them. You can easily install or upgrade windows with the help of media creation tool for windows 11. Also, the changes that do grab your attention, like the newly centered Start button, fades into the background due to the remarkable speed of Windows 11.

Before we introduce you to the newly added features in Windows 11, let us look at the Windows 11 system requirements.

Windows 11 System requirements include:

CPU: 1GHz or faster with 2 or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or system on a chip (SoC).

RAM: Minimum 4GB.

Storage: 64GB or more.

System firmware: UEFI, Secure Boot capable.

Graphics card: Compatible with DirectX 12 or later with WDDM 2.0 driver.

TPM: Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0

Display: High definition (720p) display, greater than 9 inches diagonally, and 8 bits per color channel.

Windows 11 is limited to CPUs released after 2018. Also, the requirement to have an active TPM 2.0 has proven even more challenging.

Note: Windows 11 Home edition requires an internet connection and a Microsoft account to complete device setup on first use.

Top Features of Windows 11 include:

#1 Snap Layouts-

In Windows 10, one could Snap the windows into pre-configured layouts. However, in Windows 11, along with dragging them into position or knowing the keyboard shortcuts, you can just hover your pointer over the minimize/maximize button in the top-right corner of any window.

You will notice a pop-up window displaying pictographs of different layout options: splitting the screen 50/50 between two windows, or 50/25/25 between three, or even giving one window two-thirds of the screen while a second window gets the remaining one-third.

#2 Snap Groups-

Once you place several windows into a particular layout, you will notice that they are automatically grouped in the taskbar. Thus, if you minimize all the windows, you can bring them up in the same layout as they were, before minimizing.

#3 Multiple desktops-

If you do not wish to use Snap Layout, you can make use of Multiple desktop features to run different windows on different desktops on the same computer.

Press the Windows key and Tab, you will find an option at the bottom of your screen to create multiple desktops. You can easily switch between these desktops.

#4 Dark Mode-

Windows 11 is highly customizable in terms of transparency and colors. It provides an option to enable Dark Mode. Right-click on your desktop and select ‘personalize’ from the drop-down box.

You can also enable the ‘Night light’ option which reduces strain on your eyes due to the light coming out of the monitor. You can also set a timer to turn it on.

#5 Focus assist-

This is another feature that will help in increasing your productivity by disabling all the notifications from other applications on your PC. You can enable this feature from the System Settings.

You can also set a timer for the Focus Assist to turn on or off, depending on the amount of time you wish to remain uninterrupted.

#6 Game mode-

Windows 11 has added some features specifically for gamers. You can enable the game mode from the Settings, which will bring out the best gaming experience.

In the game mode, you can get Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling and ultra-performance power settings, etc.

#7 Teams integration-

The situation for the past 18 months has brought Microsoft Teams into the limelight. It saw a boost in the number of users and thus, it has been integrated into the Windows 11 operating system.

However, if you do not use Teams, you can easily uninstall it without any trouble.

#8 Clipboard history-

The clipboard history in Windows 11 has the capability to store as many as 25 items. Press the Windows key and V to open clipboard history.

However, you must be vigilant while copying sensitive data such as passwords and erase them from the history, for the sake of your personal security.

#9 Shake to minimize-

Once this feature is enabled, when you grab a window from the top and shake it, Windows 11 will minimize all the other windows. When you repeat the same process, all the other windows will be maximized.

To enable this feature, press the Windows key and type ‘Multitasking’ in the search box. In this window, search for the ‘title bar window shake’ option and turn it on.

#10 Start Menu-

The Start menu in all the Windows versions has been on the left of the taskbar. However, in Windows 11, it is located at the center by default. You can shift it back to its traditional location using the steps given below.

How to shift your Start Menu back to the Left?

Windows 11 comes with the Start Menu at the center of the taskbar by default. However, you can easily shift it back to its traditional location, which is to the left.

Step 1- Press the Windows key and search for ‘taskbar settings’ in the search bar.

Step 2- In the taskbar settings, scroll down to the bottom and click on ‘taskbar behaviour’ option.

Step 3- Finally, click on the taskbar align dropdown menu and select ‘Left’ from the list of options.

Conclusion:

As we mentioned above, Windows 11 is a refinement of the Windows 10 operating system. However, it also provides with some of the most useful features required during these times to focus on work as well as games.

If your computer meets the system requirements, we would highly recommend this upgrade. However, if we have missed out on any such useful information about the all-new Windows 11, then do let us know about it in the comments section below.