Microsoft presents Windows 11, a new generation to boost productivity and creativity

• At a time when the PC is playing a more prominent role in our lives, Windows 11 is designed to bring users closer to what they love and need most in a simple way.
• Windows 11 will be available as a free upgrade to eligible Windows 10 PCs and on new PCs later this year.

Windows, the environment where more than a billion people turn to create, connect, learn and achieve their goals, is renewed to boost productivity and creativity. In the last 18 months there has been a big change in the use of computers. People have gone from integrating their equipment into their lives to turning it into an indispensable tool to provide continuity to daily activity.

“The most striking thing was the change we saw and felt in the PC: from something practical and functional to something personal and emotional. This is what inspired us when building the next generation of Windows. “Develop a space that is familiar to you, where you can create, learn, play and, most importantly, connect in every way possible,” said Panos Panay, director of Product, Windows and Devices at Microsoft.

Among the new features that Windows 11 brings, the following stand out:

• Simplified design and user experience to boost productivity and inspire creativity . From the new Home Button to the taskbar, every sound, font or icon has been redesigned for simplicity.
• A unified experience across all devices . The new Home Button relies on the cloud and Microsoft 365 to display recent files no matter what platform or device they were previously used on, even if they are Android or iOS devices.
• Workspace customization . The new Snap Layouts, Snap Groups and Desktop management in Windows 11 make multitasking easier so that each user can adjust their workspace to the needs they have at any given time. With the new features, the user can organize their windows and optimize screen space with a visually clean design.
• The new Teams integration directly in the Taskbar allows users to instantly connect via text, rich chat, voice or video with anyone, anywhere across Windows, Android and iOS.
• Windows 11 provides the best gaming experience on PC, offering Auto HDR, Direct Storage and access to the Xbox app to enjoy great titles with Xbox Game Pass.
• Widgets, a new personalized feed powered by AI, that brings the most relevant information for each user directly to their Desktop . Widgets also open up a new space within Windows for creators to offer personalized content to users.
• The new Microsoft Store is reinforced as a trusted source for applications and content , creating a more open ecosystem for developers and creators, as well as a faster and more secure experience for IT professionals.
• The arrival of Android applications to Windows. Starting at the end of the year, users will be able to discover Android applications in the Microsoft Store and also download them through the Amazon Appstore.
• Faster, safer and more familiar to IT professionals. Windows 11 is based on the consistent, compatible and familiar foundation of Windows 10. Thanks to this, it is possible to plan, prepare and deploy Windows 11 in the same way that is possible today with Windows 10. Microsoft Endpoint Manager, configuration in the cloud , Windows Update for Business, and Autopilot enable natural Windows 11 integration.
• Windows 11 is secure by design , with new built-in security technologies that add protection, from the chip to the cloud, while helping you boost productivity and enjoy new experiences. Windows 11 offers a Zero Trust-ready operating system, protecting data and access across all devices. Microsoft has worked closely with its partners and OEMs to meet the needs of an evolving threat landscape and the new world of hybrid work.

Windows 11 will be available via a free upgrade to eligible Windows 10 PCs, as well as new devices, later this year. Starting in the fall, users will have the PC Health Check application at their disposal, in Windows.com , to see if your current Windows 10 PC will be eligible for the free upgrade to Windows 11.

Rollout of the free update will begin on Windows 10 computers later this year. Next week, the company will release Windows 11 to its Windows Insider program, a passionate community of Windows fans whose feedback is important to Microsoft.