The release of Windows 12 iso for personal computers, laptops and tablets (mobile, server and other OS versions will be presented later) is undoubtedly extremely important for Microsoft, which has set a goal to create a universal platform for all types of devices and combine them into one common ecosystem with a single application store and unified software development environment. The company took into account the critical remarks addressed to the coolly accepted market of the G8 and tried to release a product that fully meets the needs of the user audience, thanks to the Windows Insider pre-testing program, which played an important role in the development of the operating system. Over 5 million people from over 100 countries took part in testing Windows 11 for PC, with the release of which Microsoft laid the foundation stone for a universal software platform.
Go Through
Top 20 windows 11 features :
1. Start menu
The most notable innovation in the Windows 11 interface is the Start menu, which provides quick access to frequently used programs and documents, as well as to the so-called universal applications that use the Modern UI tiled interface. The menu is fully customization: you can resize it, manage the layout of interactive dynamic Live Tiles tiles, merge them into subject groups, delete unwanted shortcuts, and pin new ones. For the convenience of users, the Microsoft developers have provided the Start menu buttons for shutting down the computer, quick access to account settings, operating system parameters and other controls.
2. New notification center
In Windows 11 features, the notification center developed further, displayed on the right side of the desktop by clicking the corresponding key in the taskbar next to the clock. Now it collects and demonstrates all the information about the operation of the system and focuses the user’s attention on those or other problems. In addition, it displays, in addition to regular notifications, information on Skype calls, alarm signals, application store messages, calendar reminders, and so on. Additionally, in the new notification center there are controls for operating modes of the computer, VPN settings, connections to wireless devices and other system parameters.
3. Cortana Personal Virtual Assistant
A virtual voice assistant with artificial intelligence elements familiar to owners of smartphones based on Windows Phone 8.1 is now also present in the desktop version of the Top Ten. Cortana allows you to plan cases, search for information on a computer disk and on the Internet, set up notifications about important events, book hotel rooms and solve other tasks, including informing the user about traffic situations or canceled flights. In addition, she knows how to anticipate the needs of the user, can keep up a conversation with him and is not without a sense of humor. To start working with a voice assistant, you must enter the question in the search bar on the taskbar or click on the microphone icon and control Cortana using your voice.
Currently, Cortana is available only in a number of countries and will be optimized for work in Russia later. Currently, Microsoft is engaged in integrating a voice assistant with Russian services that provide up-to-date information about restaurants, hotels, museums, government agencies, tickets, etc. The company emphasizes that the question here is not so much the recognition and correct interpretation of the Russian language, but rather the preparation of the corresponding ecosystem in cooperation with Microsoft partners.
4. Microsoft Edge Browser
With the release of Windows 11 features, Microsoft has introduced the world to its new Edge web browser, which should replace Internet Explorer and compete with alternative solutions. The Internet browser introduced by the software giant was created from scratch, built using new web page rendering engines and a JavaScript interpreter, integrated with Cortana, allows you to create notes and quickly share information found on the Web, and is also equipped with a set of tools for comfortable browsing and work with content. Microsoft Edge features high page processing speed and a new interface that is completely different from what users are used to seeing in IE. The last browser, by the way, did not go anywhere:
5. Hybrid PC support “two in one” (Continuum function)
Owners of multi-mode ultrabooks that combine the functions of a personal computer and tablet, now there is no need to install additional software and drivers in the system to switch the desktop and tablet operating systems of the OS. On hybrid mobile PCs, Windows 11 automatically detects when the keyboard is disconnected / connected and the device is transferred to another mode of operation and independently optimizes the display to operate in the appropriate mode. If necessary, the user can always activate the desired mode manually from the new notification center, as well as instantly switch between the keyboard with the mouse and the touch controls.
6. Virtual desktops
windows 11 features Along with Mac OS and Linux systems, the new Windows now also has the ability to create several working environments, for activating which on the taskbar next to the Start button, the corresponding icon is provided. Each desktop can have its own set of running applications. The user, by hovering over a thumbnail of a single virtual space, can see the thumbnails of all open applications in it and even close individual programs without the need to launch this workspace. It also provides the ability to transfer application windows between different virtual tables. Everything is implemented quite conveniently and visually – surely this function is useful to advanced users or professionals.
7. New store universal applications for Windows 11
Preparing the “top ten” for the final release, Microsoft has thoroughly refined the universal application store, which has the same capabilities on workstations, laptops, tablets, smartphones, Xbox gaming devices, only adapting to the screen size. The store received a new interface, a revised rating system and commenting on purchases, and improved navigation tools. New categories have also appeared here: “Developer Tools”, “Design and Multimedia”, “Medicine”, “Photos and Videos”, “Personalization”, “Productivity”, “Security”, “Purchases” and others.
8. Stream games from Xbox One to PC and tablet
Owners of Xbox One consoles can set up streaming of Xbox games to a computer through a local network and thus control gaming applications and their profile directly from a PC or tablet. To enable this feature, you need on the Xbox One console, in the “Options → Settings” menu, select “Allow streaming games.” After that, on a computer running Windows 11, you need to open the Xbox client application and select “Connect → Add device” in the menu on the left. After the connection is established, it remains in the program window to click on the “Play from console” button to activate the streaming session of games with Xbox One.
9. Advanced Windows Defender
In Windows 11 features, for protection against digital threats, Windows Defender antivirus, known in many of the G8 users, is used, which operates in real time and operates in conjunction with the Microsoft Active Protection Service (MAPS) cloud service. In the new system, the antivirus received simplified settings, now available in the Update and Security menu, and a mechanism for controlling the operation of third-party security applications installed in the OS. Now Windows Defender is able to control the relevance of the virus signatures they use, and in case the third-party antivirus does not update within three days, it automatically intercepts the protection management of the computer.
10. Improved email client
Changed for the better and going in the Windows 11 features email client. To the usual controls of email correspondence, it added text formatting tools for letters, tools for working with tables, images and markers. Also, the program has new gestures for managing incoming letters and a navigation bar that allows you to quickly switch between letters and a calendar. Developers did not ignore such things as spell checking, automatic sending of response letters, searching, and so on.
11. Windows Hello Biometric Authentication System
Windows 11 features implements the Windows Hello biometric identification mechanism, thanks to which the user can access the system by scanning the face, iris, or fingerprint. The new system allows you to forget about the classic password entry and can be used not only to enter the working environment of Windows, but also to access online services and various applications. The company hopes that the new method will be more convenient for users, since it will not require them to memorize long passwords. In addition, biometric identification has a high degree of security. It is always easier to get a password than a person’s finger or iris. Windows Hello requires hardware, including a fingerprint reader,
12. Hiberboot and InstantGo technology support
Hiberboot and InstantGo are two technologies that have been further developed in Windows 11 features and help maximize the use of the capabilities of modern devices. The first one provides the fastest system startup, the second one establishes a network connection even when the monitor is off, in standby mode, which provides a background update of the system. Also, this feature allows you to immediately resume operation of the device for instant access to the working environment of Windows.
13. Secure Boot and ELAM security technologies
Another security improvement is Early Launch Anti-Malware Module (ELAM) and Secure Boot. ELAM, first introduced in Windows 8.1, is a module that is one of the first to be launched at boot time, allows you to evaluate all the drivers and helps the Windows kernel determine which ones should be initialized. Functioning in tandem with the second system, it prevents the launch of malicious and prohibited programs during the OS boot phase.
14. Device Guard
Device Guard is a feature by which organizations can keep corporate devices under control, providing protection against new and unknown versions of malware and constant threats of increased complexity (APT). Device Guard blocks all applications except trusted applications, that is, applications signed by software vendors, the Windows store, or the IT services of the enterprise. Administrators can decide for themselves which sources Device Guard will consider reliable. With the help of related tools, you can sign universal and classic applications that do not have the signature of the software provider.
15. Windows Feedback
With the release of the final release of Windows 11, Microsoft left the feedback system with the developers – Windows Feedback as part of the operating system. With it, you can follow the latest news about the system, leave feedback on the platform and read comments from other users. Microsoft assured that they would continue the work begun with the Windows Insider program with enthusiasts and system testers and will use the information obtained through feedback to further improve their platform.
16. Sharing passwords from Wi-Fi access points
In Windows 11, the Wi-Fi Sense function is implemented, allowing you to automatically distribute passwords from wireless networks to users of Facebook, Skype and Outlook. Innovation should simplify work with Wi-Fi access points and allow trusted contacts to access the Internet without disclosing the transmitted password. By default, this function is activated in the system; you can disable or configure it at your discretion in the network connection settings window in the “Manage Wi-Fi network settings” menu.
17. Application traffic control
Being created with an eye on portable devices, Windows 11 itself takes care of the amount of traffic transmitted via wireless and mobile networks. In particular, the system allows to obtain information about the use of data by applications for the last 30 days, as well as to manage the so-called limit connections. The activation of the latter switches Windows to the traffic saving mode, disabling user data synchronization, downloading minor updates and updates from the Windows store, as well as suspending other network processes.
18. Updated Windows Maps
In Windows 11, the built-in universal mapping application has undergone a lot of changes. Now it is able to create routes, display aerial photographs and three-dimensional images of cities, add frequently viewed places to favorites and save maps to a computer disk for later use without connecting to the Network. Motorists will surely enjoy the presence in Windows maps of viewing traffic congestion and congestion on city streets.
19. Support DirectX 12
In Windows 11, developers have declared support for the new DirectX 12 graphics API, which makes it possible to significantly improve the performance of gaming applications. True, the component DirectX 12 is only available with supported games and graphics processors. You can check which version of DirectX is installed in the operating system by running the dxdiag utility. With the distinctive features of the new API can be found in our review material.
20. Improved window handling
Microsoft did not go unnoticed by the Snap Assist application pinning feature, which helps to more efficiently use unallocated screen space by placing windows flush with each other. From now on, it allows you to place up to four windows on the desktop at the same time, while Windows 11 tells you what other applications are running in the system and how you can place them.
21. Ability to scroll inactive windows
A good addition to Snap Assist is the scrolling function of inactive (in the background) application windows. From time immemorial, existing in alternative systems, it is now available in Windows, which is good news, especially for users who manipulate a large number of programs on the desktop.
22. video recording
In the Xbox application supplied with Windows 11, there is a Game DVR feature that allows you to record video in games and take screenshots. To activate the Game DVR, you need to click “Win + Q” during gameplay, and then click the red key to capture the image from the screen and write it to a file. The resulting video is saved in MP4 format in the Videos / Captures folder. You can also watch videos from the Xbox program.
23. Updated calendar
The new calendar is closely integrated with the user’s contacts and the mail application and now looks the same on all Windows 11 devices (taking into account the different screen formats). In addition, the calendar can display the weather forecast for several days in advance and road reports, helping the user to stick to the schedule.
24. Updated photo viewer
The photo viewer application has also been greatly improved and made universal. It displays images in the form of large thumbnails, automatically grouped by date, album, catalog, and so on. There are functions to create photo albums, automatically improve photos and upload content to the OneDrive repository, as well as support for RAW images.
Getting new builds of Windows 11
With the release of the final version of the “dozens”, Microsoft does not intend to stop working on the system and plans to continue to improve its product. It is for this purpose that the company provided for the possibility of obtaining updated test versions of the OS within the framework of the Windows Insider program, the participants of which, when installing the Windows 11 release, will be asked to either refuse or continue to participate in the program. At the same time, if the user refuses to continue participating in the Windows Insider program and switches to the final version of Windows 11, he will need to have a licensed version of Windows 7/8 / 8.1 in order to use the free update right on Windows 11. If the user continues participation in the Windows Insider program; he will not need such a license, as he will continue to test Windows evaluation versions.
As for the minimum requirements for the hardware component of tablets, laptops and personal computers to use the Windows 11 operating system, they have not changed much since the release of Windows 8. To use the “ten” device fit with a processor of 1.0 GHz or higher. The amount of RAM should be at least 1 GB when using the 32-bit version of Windows 11 and at least 2 GB in the case of a 64-bit platform modification. The storage capacity is at least 16 and 20 GB for 32-bit and 64-bit editions of the OS, respectively. In addition, at least one network adapter is required, for example, Ethernet. In the case of tablets, laptops, two-in-one laptops and hybrid mobile devices, a built-in screen with dimensions from 8 inches diagonally is required. The resolution should be 800 × 600 pixels (SVGA) or more. All other equipment, including cameras, wireless adapters, 3G / 4G modules, sensors, touch panels and satellite receivers, is optional.
Users who can’t or don’t want to download the update to “dozens” through the update center can download the Windows 11 image from the Microsoft website and install the operating system from scratch for free a year after the release of windows 11 features, while the user will need to have licensed version of Windows 7/8 / 8.1 in order to use the right to upgrade the OS for free. If the user wants to reinstall Windows 11 on his computer after the end of the free update period, he will also be able to do this if the computer has been upgraded to Windows 11 within a year after the release of the final version. Microsoft has recently been generous with nice gifts, and the release of a new platform is no exception. Let’s see how such a wide gesture will justify itself in the future.