Windows 11, the latest version of Microsoft’s operating system, kicked off its phased rollout to compatible devices last fall. Even if your PC hasn’t been prompted to download and install the new OS yet, you can still take a look at how Windows 11 measures up against Windows 10 to gauge if it’s worth the update. Keep in mind that there’s no rush to make your decision. Microsoft says it will stop supporting Windows 10 after 2025. Also, if you already have Windows 10, Windows 11 will be available to you for free. (If you don’t have Windows 10 yet, here’s how to get it.)
Windows 11 brings a brand-new, more Mac-like interface to the OS. It features a clean design with rounded corners and pastel shades. The iconic Start menu also moves to the center of the screen along with the Taskbar. But you can move those back to the left, as they are in Windows 10, if you prefer.
Android apps will be coming to Windows 11 in the Microsoft Store, via the Amazon Appstore. (There were a couple of ways to access Android apps on Windows 10, including if you had a Samsung Galaxy phone, but this will make it native.) This is something Windows users have been waiting for for years and marks another move toward the merging of mobile and laptop devices. This feature is in beta now and available to Windows Insiders.
Windows 11 will let you set up virtual desktops in a way that’s similar to Macs. It allows for toggling between multiple desktops at once for personal, work, school or gaming.
The new OS includes features called Snap Groups and Snap Layouts — collections of the apps you’re using at once that sit in the taskbar, and can come up or be minimized at the same time for easier task switching. They also let you plug and unplug from a monitor easily, without losing where your open windows are located.
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