Microsoft has begun rolling out their newest OS, Windows 11. With this new OS, Windows is bringing some changes to the way it looks. Microsoft also includes some new security features to better compete with Apple both in aesthetics and security. This article will explain the key elements of Windows 11 and help you decide when the right time to upgrade is.
New Looks
Windows 11 takes a lot of what we know and recognize from Windows 10 and puts a fresh coat of paint on it. For instance, the start and settings menus get a much cleaner and streamlined look, making them more accessible and more intuitive to operate.
Windows also took a page out of Apple’s book, changing the taskbar to a floating dock resting on the bottom of the screen for easy access anytime.
Lastly, though they certainly are not a new feature, widgets have become much more integrated into the Windows system. Widgets make information such as news, weather, or recent emails available at a glance.
New Security Features
Though there’s a lot of attention being given to the redesign, the most critical change in Windows 11 is to system security. You may have noticed in order to upgrade your device to Windows 11, Microsoft requires you to have a relatively new and powerful processor. The new components are necessary to accommodate the various new security features included in Windows 11.
Windows 11 has security protocols in place the very moment your machine turns on, unlike previous iterations of Windows. Security protocols such as Secure Boot and Trusted Platform Module ensure that the baseline level of security for your device is stronger than ever before, making it harder than ever for bad actors to attempt to breach your Windows 11 device.
Should I upgrade?
Windows 11 is in a position to be the most secure and easy-to-use version of Windows we have seen yet. However, with any project rollout this large, hiccups are to be expected.
As with any technology in its infancy, Windows 11 is most susceptible to threats during the early phase. Microsoft is releasing nearly weekly updates to fine-tune their new OS and fix bugs as they come in. Hackers are certainly enjoying the buffet of new exploits they can feast on until the team at Microsoft gets their OS in top shape for the billions of devices that will be running it.
Nevertheless, the state of Windows 11 today is much more stable and ready to use than compared to its initial release in October of 2021. Let your IT provider decide with your company when it is right to upgrade your business PCs.
For your home PC, currently it is free to upgrade your compatible Windows 10 device to Windows 11. It is not clear how long this upgrade will remain free. Microsoft’s own website states, “the free upgrade offer does not have a specific end date for eligible systems.” With plans to end support for Windows 10 in 2025, it may be wise to upgrade your home computer now while it remains free and consistently updated.