Microsoft announced this morning that it will release Windows 11 on Oct. 5 as a free upgrade for existing Windows 10 machines, and pre-installed on new computers.
However, the actual rollout to existing machines will take months, stretching into 2022. Microsoft will use what it calls a “phased and measured approach” that assesses a PC’s specs to determine when Windows Update will offer the upgrade.
“Following the tremendous learnings from Windows 10, we want to make sure we’re providing you with the best possible experience. That means new eligible devices will be offered the upgrade first,” writes Aaron Woodman, Microsoft Windows general manager, in a post this morning announcing the release date.
He adds, “The upgrade will then roll out over time to in-market devices based on intelligence models that consider hardware eligibility, reliability metrics, age of device and other factors that impact the upgrade experience. We expect all eligible devices to be offered the free upgrade to Windows 11 by mid-2022.”
The company announced plans for Windows 11 in June. Its surprise decision to make an upgrade deemed worthy of a new integer followed a resurgence in usage and interest in PCs during the pandemic. Microsoft has “a renewed sense of Windows’ role in the world,” CEO Satya Nadella said at the time.
Minimum specs: Windows 11 will require, at minimum, a 1 Ghz, 64-bit processor with 4GB of RAM and at least 64GB of storage. The age of the processor will also factor into upgrade eligibility, The Verge reported recently. Microsoft recently expanded the list of eligible processors to include some additional Intel chips.
Visual changes: The new operating system comes with a softer, translucent appearance. After booting up, the most notable change for many users will be the centered Start menu.
Under the hood: Microsoft says Windows 11 will bring performance improvements, accessibility upgrades, and features focused on improving productivity across multiple devices, leveraging the company’s cloud services. The new operating system is also optimized for a variety of gaming scenarios.
Android apps on Windows: Microsoft is working with Amazon and Intel to allow Android apps to run on Windows 11. Users will find them via the Microsoft Store and install them via the Amazon Appstore. However, this feature won’t be available at launch. Woodman says it will be released first as a preview for users in the Windows Insider program “over the coming months.” It’s part of a broader refresh of the Microsoft Store.
What’s missing: During the initial boot-up process, one difference will be the absence of Cortana, Microsoft’s virtual assistant, which previously walked users through the setup. See the full list of removed features.
Microsoft Teams integration: Teams chat and communications functionality will be integrated into the Windows 11 taskbar, which previously drew complaints from rival Slack.
Windows 11 Widgets: This new feature offers a quick glimpse of news and information from apps and online services, borrowing a popular approach from smartphone operating systems.
Users in the Windows Insider program have been testing Windows 11 for the past two months.
