Why Windows 11?

Coming the Winter of 2021, a new book called "Why Windows 11?"

Why Windows 11? At the 2015 Ignite conference, Microsoft employee Jerry Nixon stated that Windows 10 would be the "last version of Windows", a statement that Microsoft confirmed was "reflective" of their view. The operating system was considered to be a service, with new builds and updates to be released over time. However, speculation of a new version or a redesign of Windows arose in January 2021, after a job listing referring to a "sweeping rejuvenation" of Windows was posted by Microsoft. A visual refresh for Windows, developed under the codename "Sun Valley", was reportedly set to modernize the system's user interface.

The Windows 11 name was accidentally released in an official Microsoft support document in June 2021. Leaked images of a purported beta build of Windows 11's desktop surfaced online later on 15 June 2021, which were followed by a leak of the aforementioned build on the same day. The screenshots and leaked build show an interface resembling that of the canceled Windows 10X, alongside a redesigned out-of-box experience (OOBE) and Windows 11 branding.

Windows 11, the first major Windows release since 2015, builds upon its predecessor by revamping the user interface to follow Microsoft's new Fluent Design guidelines. The redesign, which focuses on ease of use and flexibility, comes alongside new productivity and social features and updates to security and accessibility, addressing some of the deficiencies of Windows 10.

The Microsoft Store, which serves as a unified storefront for apps and other content, is also redesigned in Windows 11. Microsoft now allows developers to distribute Win32, Progressive web applications, and other packaging technologies in the Microsoft Store, alongside the standard Universal Windows Platform apps. Windows 11 will allow users to install select Android apps onto their device, which can be done within the Microsoft Store via the Amazon Appstore. This feature will require a Microsoft account, an Amazon account, and a one-time install for Windows Amazon Appstore client.

The collaboration platform Microsoft Teams is integrated into the Windows 11 user interface, and is accessible via the taskbar. Skype will no longer be bundled as with the OS by default.

Microsoft promoted performance improvements such as smaller update sizes, faster web browsing in "any browser", faster wake time from sleep mode, and faster Windows Hello authentication.

The updated Xbox app is bundled with Windows 11. The Auto HDR and DirectStorage technologies introduced by the Xbox Series X and Series S will be integrated into Windows 11; the latter requires a graphics card supporting DirectX 12 Ultimate, and an NVMe solid-state drive of at least 1 terabyte in size.

User interface

A redesigned interface is present throughout the operating system; translucency, shadows, a new color palette, and rounded geometry are prevalent throughout the UI. Taskbar buttons are center-aligned by default, and the new "Widgets" button displays a news feed powered by Microsoft News (expanding upon the "news and interests" panel introduced in later builds of Windows 10).

The Start menu has been significantly redesigned, replacing the "live tiles" used by Windows 8 and 10 with a grid of "pinned" applications, and a list of recent applications and documents.

Task View, a feature introduced in Windows 10, features a refreshed design, and supports giving separate wallpapers to each virtual desktop. The window snapping functionality has been enhanced with two additional features; "snap layouts" allows the user to select a pre-determined layout they want to use for tiling multiple windows onto a display. The tiled arrangement of windows can be minimized and restored from the taskbar as a "snap group".