Windows 11: 6 of the best features in Microsoft’s new OS and how they work

Windows 11 began rolling out to eligible units on Oct. 5, full with a fresh new design and a bunch of latest options aimed toward streamlining your PC and serving to you be extra productive. Whether or not you are utilizing your system at dwelling or within the workplace, these new options will make your life simpler. 

Take into accout, although, that Microsoft is releasing Home windows 11 in phases, so not everybody could have entry to it at first. The older your system, the longer you may need to attend to be prompted with the improve.

Learn extra: Windows 11 review: Familiar but fresh

Listed below are one of the best new Home windows 11 options we have seen introduced thus far and the way you will use them, based mostly on what Microsoft has demonstrated. (And you’ll want to take a look at how to tell if your PC will be compatible with Windows 11 and how to download Windows 11 free.)

Our favourite options in Home windows 11 and easy methods to use them

Android apps

What it’s: Android apps will be built into Windows 11 natively by way of the new Microsoft Store — a change Home windows customers have been ready on for years. Know, nonetheless, that support for Android apps is not part of the first shipping version of Windows 11: It would include one other launch within the coming months.

Although you possibly can entry Android apps in your Home windows 10 PC in sure circumstances (like if you have a Samsung Galaxy phone), Home windows 11 will mark the primary time everybody will be capable of obtain them immediately onto your PC. (This is everything to know about Android apps on Windows 11.) 

How you will use it: As soon as Home windows 11 can deal with them, Android apps will probably be within the new Microsoft Retailer by way of Amazon’s Appstore. Which means you will must obtain the Amazon Appstore to entry the almost 500,000 apps accessible there, together with Disney Plus, TikTok, Netflix, Pinterest and Uber. Nonetheless, you will not be capable of entry each Android app discovered within the Google Play Retailer.

When it is time, you will must obtain the Amazon Appstore and signal into or create an Amazon account. Then you’ll seek for free or paid apps as you’d on every other platform. Android apps will probably be built-in into the Begin bar and also will seem on the Taskbar with their very own home windows. 

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Widgets

What it’s: Home windows 11 adds Widgets to the interface — an AI-powered customizable feed that slides out to point out you such information as information, climate, a glimpse at your calendar and to-do checklist and your latest pictures. Widgets are just like a characteristic known as news and interests present in a latest Home windows 10 replace. 

How you will use it: On the newly redesigned taskbar, you will discover a button for Widgets. While you click on or faucet it, a panel will slide out from the left facet of your display screen with a collection of widgets that provide the at-a-glance info you are searching for. You may also increase it to be full display screen. 

Microsoft Groups

What it’s: Home windows 11 builds Microsoft’s video chat platform Teams immediately into the working system, making it simpler to entry for each day use. You may join with others on Groups throughout Home windows, Android, Mac or iOS. 

How you will use it: You may even see Groups seem within the taskbar. If not, you’ll be able to seek for it. Click on the Groups icon to launch a Chat software, letting you select if you wish to message, textual content, voice or video name one among your contacts. Click on Meet or Chat, and select who you need to contact. Or, open the total model of Microsoft groups by clicking the field on the backside of the Chat display screen. (This is extra about how to use the new and improved Microsoft Teams in Windows 11.)

Desktops

What it’s: Home windows 11 enables you to extra simply create separate virtual desktops for every a part of your life, and customise them with completely different wallpapers, so you’ll be able to create a desktop for private use, work, college, gaming or anything, and simply toggle between them. That is just like the MacOS digital desktop characteristic. 

How you will use it: Faucet the desktop button on the taskbar to pop up a panel together with your present desktop. Faucet the plus button within the New desktop space to create a brand new desktop. Faucet the X button to take away it. Then faucet a desktop to change to it. 

Snap Layouts

What it’s: While you’re working in a bunch of open home windows, Home windows 11 will allow you to organize them in numerous layouts on the display screen, and can save all of these home windows in that association. 

How you will use it: While you open a window, you will see a button that appears like a sq. within the prime proper nook, in between the X and the reduce button. Hover over that to see completely different structure choices for that window, and choose the structure and the place inside the structure that you just need to place that window. 

Snap Teams 

What it’s: Snap Teams are the set of open home windows that you just saved in Snap Layouts, discovered within the taskbar for straightforward entry to name up as soon as once more, so you’ll be able to reduce or maximize them as a gaggle.

How you will use it: Hover over your browser within the taskbar (it is unclear if you’ll want to be utilizing Microsoft Edge to take action, as Microsoft did in its demo). You will see the completely different teams of web sites and apps you created pop up. Click on the one you need to open the entire group once more. (This is extra about using Snap Layouts and Snap Groups.)

For extra, take a look at extra about how Windows 11’s desktop widgets and layouts work and how to change your Windows 11 wallpaper.

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