Windows 11 finally arrived after years of speculations and a leak before its official announcement. I couldn't be happier. This is the best feeling I've ever felt after having to endure smaller updates twice a year for Windows 10.Windows 10 has felt outdated over the past five years compared to other operating system, both visually and in terms features. Panos Panay is now in charge of Windows and it feels different.TPM 2.0 and CPU compatibility issues aside, Windows 11 is now officially available for testing on the Windows Insider program. I did not hesitate to download this preview version on my laptop before the final release this holiday season.Although this is only the first version of what will eventually be available on consumer PCs in the future, Windows software finally appears to match the hardware that powers it. Windows 11 has a lot of new features that allow it to enter a new era where productivity is the priority.Visual changes that are most important to youWindows users like me use the Taskbar and Start Menu most often. These areas have largely remained unchanged since Windows 10 was released almost six years ago. There are only a few minor visual changes that have been made to Live Tiles and the app list. That's all.It's disappointing to see how Windows 10 has failed to live up to its potential. It was even more disappointing to see how little Apple managed to cover with its Big Sur update last years. I was optimistic about what Microsoft could do for Windows after the rollout of new visual ideas. Based on my recent history, however, I knew that I was putting my hopes up for no reason. That is, until Windows 11.Windows 11's Taskbar and Start Menu are the first things you will notice. Microsoft redesigned Windows 11's Start Menu to place more emphasis on apps, documents, and other essentials right at the center of the screen. These are now centered. You can still left-align them if necessary, but it is much more practical with the large size of modern monitors to have them centered.This means that Live Tiles are no longer available, and your apps will now be just static icons. Although the decision may be controversial, it is for me two things. You don't need to dig in the File Explorer anymore. My journal, screenshots and movies, as well as other files, are all right there. The cloud also contains the files that I use the most. The list allows me to pin icons so I can see them easier.Oh, and Windows 11's corners are now rounded rather than flat. There are also touches of glasslike Fluent Design effects throughout and tons of animations for common tasks such as opening and closing windows.It's a visual treat that feels refreshing for tired eyes that have become too familiar with Windows 10. The Taskbar and Start Menu look great, and I can't wait to touch my screen to access my favorite apps and to see my files.A quick and easy menu of Quick SettingsThat's not all. Windows 11's visual changes also extend to the new Notification Center, Quick Settings panel, and Quick Settings. This is a departure from Windows 10, which had all your Bluetooth notifications and quick action toggles in one place.Notification Center now has its own calendar. This allows me to see the entire month and browse through emails. It is also much cleaner and less intrusive than the other notifications I have. It even has a glasslike effect so you can see what's underneath it. This is unlike Windows 10, which made it difficult to see your notifications and interrupted your work.The Action Center has been rebranded as Quick Settings. During busy days, I don't want to have to go through multiple menus to adjust the volume, brightness, sound, or Wi-Fi network settings.However, there is still room for improvement. I would like to see more integrations between apps such as Zoom or Teams. It would be great if Microsoft opened it up to developers so they can plug in to Quick Settings in the same manner as File Explorer context menus.There is much to love. Windows 11 is refreshing after years of having to deal with the Action and Notification Center which, when clicked, would sometimes just take you to a settings page. It makes all the controls I use easy to access in one handy hub.Productivity-first featuresMicrosoft recently stated that Windows 10 is available on over 1.3 billion devices. It's clear that many of these devices are used for productivity. This includes web browsing, office work and chatting in Teams. Windows 11 is no surprise, as it introduces new productivity tools.Snap Layouts is the first. This feature was a highlight of the leaked Windows 11 version and it is even more responsive in the official preview version. To see the different ways I can multitask, I can hover my mouse over one window and snap both sides of it. Windows 11 will remember the combination using a feature called Snap Groups.This will keep the group paired in my Taskbar so I don't have to keep snapping it or open the same combination over and over. This has saved me so much time in the first day I used the next-generation Windows.Microsoft made it easier for you to access your desktops from the Taskbar. You can now reorder backgrounds and personalize them with the Task view button. Talk about productivity!The new docking feature wraps up the whole thing. I am always connected to my monitor at work, but occasionally I will unplug to go outside and finish off things. Windows now remembers how I organized my computer when I redock it to my monitor. No more dragging windows around. Windows now remembers where I left my apps.Recent changes to File Explorer and SettingsI've spent a lot time talking about Windows 11's major features, but the smaller features like File Explorer and System Settings are also experiencing significant changes. File Explorer is designed with touch in mind, for instance. The command bar has been redesigned and the context menus are easier to read. The Settings menu now features a left-handed navigational bar that will follow you around so you don't get lost.Setting pages can have hero controls that highlight important information and the most frequently used settings. Battery settings page is an example. It's more detailed and provides all information about power consumption, without the need to use Command Prompt.Microsoft Store also received an update. The new layout is easier to read and use. The Microsoft Store now features an easy-to-understand sidebar that allows you to discover apps, games, movies, and more. It also has a cleaner search bar and layouts that make it easy to download popular apps. Windows 11 feels modern in this era of iPhones and iPads.Widgets have taken the place of Live Tiles, but they are now available as WidgetsLive tiles were always dear to me, as they allowed me to keep track of the weather and other information. It was a bit disappointing to learn that Windows 11 had killed them. Don't worry. But live tiles are back in Windows 11 in a different form than you might think. Instead, they've been reborn in Widgets.In Windows 11, swipe to the left of the screen (or hit Windows +W) to bring up widgets. There are some default settings, but you can organize widgets in this area just as you would with Live Tiles from the Start Menu.Although they are limited in scope, widgets allow me to access the essential information I need to be productive without having to do additional web searches. You can add widgets to your system for news, weather, and traffic.Tablet mode is for tabletsWindows 11 removes the tablet mode from Windows 10. I have written about this before. It's actually a good thing, as it brings Windows 11 closer to Apple's iPadOS.Windows 10's tablet mode was a mess. Windows 11 has some useful features that made the 2-in-1 Windows 11 that I tried fun to use. These include gestures, touch targets, and touch keyboard.The new touch keyboard is customizable with new colors, the ability to insert GIFs and even voice control. Swiftkey for Android and iOS is very similar to the new keyboard. It floats where you need it while staying out of your way. To scroll, you can drag the spacebar. This makes it so easy to hold my 2-in-1 in your hands.Windows 11 tablets can be navigated with ease using improved gestures, much like Apple's iPad OS 13. Three-finger swipes left and right will take you to the most recent apps. Three-finger swipe down allows you to go back to your desktop to open or restore windows. A swipe up lets you see open apps. You can access your desktops by pressing and holding four fingers together, then swiping.Microsoft has made touch targets even easier to use. Windows are now easier to drag using fingers, and there is more space between icons and touch bars. You can also add your own apps to the pen menu for faster access.Although the gestures can be difficult to master after five years of Windows 10, they make a big difference over time and add value to Surface devices.Android apps, and many more are just the beginning.Windows 11 is still in preview, so many of the major features Microsoft revealed at its June 24th event are not yet available in this first build. The Microsoft Store doesn't yet have Android apps, nor will it have the new Teams chat app.Windows 11 is only the beginning. With the most significant visual changes already made, Windows 11 will only get better.By joining the Windows Insider program, installing Windows 11 and then providing feedback via the Feedback Hub, you can help shape the future. Windows 11 will be available as a free update to Windows 10 later in the holiday season. It is also preinstalled on all new computers.Editors' Recommendations
