Microsoft Windows 11: A Radically Modernized Design

Many people thought there would never be a Windows 11—understandably, after Microsoft announced in 2015 that Windows 10 would be the operating system’s last version number.

- MICHAEL MUCHMORE

New competition from Chrome OS likely made the case for a more significant interface update, though, and Windows 11 borrows heavily from Google’s lightweight desktop design. Despite its drastically new look, Windows 11 remains nearly functionally identical to Windows 10, with some new features and conveniences added. After six years of ho-hum upgrades, a major overhaul to the world’s most popular desktop operating system is welcome news: Windows fans finally have something to get excited about.

Despite the OS’s new look, we’re surprised that using it doesn’t feel that different from using Windows 10. Windows 11 looks nicer, with rounded corners for all windows, the Taskbar icons in the middle, simpler icons, and more elegant Settings dialogs, but it doesn’t feel totally alien or require a whole new process the way Windows 8 did. The new interface is attractive, but if you prefer the more familiar Windows 10-style look, you can stick with Windows 10.

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

Much has been made over the system requirements for Windows 11, but they’re very low—a 1GHz CPU, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage. You’ll also need a computer with a TPM security chip and Secure Boot capability. Those are less of a problem than some pundits are making them out to be, as they’ve been standard on most PCs for the last six or so years. The real limiter is the CPU model, which has to be from about the last four years. Microsoft recently re-released the tool that assesses your PC’s ability to run Windows 11, the PC Health Check app.