Windows 11

[supportman]

So here it is folks!

 

Features

- New centralised start menu

- Rounded edges

- New startup Sound

- User Profile in settings

- Widgets

- Window Snapping

- New Microsoft Store

 

 

 

 

The new Windows 11 user interface and Start menu look very similar to what was originally found in Windows 10X. Microsoft had been simplifying Windows for dual-screen devices, before canceling this project in favor of Windows 11. Visually, the biggest changes you’ll notice can be found along the taskbar. Microsoft has centered the app icons here, cleaned up the tray area, and included a new Start button and menu.

 

Windows 11 leak reveals new UI, Start menu, and more - The Verge

 

EDIT: End of windows 10 thread here for some more discussion on end dates and support.

Edited June 16, 2021 by supportman

[dmj]

is all the messenger/news/xbox/edge/netflix bloatware all installed as default ?

[supportman]

And possibly the settings app

 

 

The upcoming Settings app will allegedly sport a slightly reorganized layout with easier access to all your settings via a navigation pane. The app should also have brighter, more colorful icons that match the recently redesigned system icons that rolled out to Windows 10. We may also be privy to a few new settings for the on-screen keyboard, which is notoriously bad in Windows 10.

 

Windows Upcoming Redesign May Finally Include a New Settings App - ExtremeTech

Edited June 16, 2021 by supportman

[simpsonj]

Microsoft is also improving the Xbox experience in Windows 11. The new Xbox app is now integrated into Windows 11, offering quick access to Xbox Game Pass games, the social parts of Xbox network, and the Xbox store.

 

Personal/Gaming me: That's quite cool

 

Network Manager me: Oh ffs...

 

Suffice to say, there's going to be a lot of tweaking involved to get this ready to be installed across the school...

[ITGuyNW]

The control panel is still there though, which to me defeats the object of moving to a completely new version. They had a chance to get rid of it once and for all and merge it with Settings. Unless that comes later.

[mavhc]

Windows 11

[localzuk]

The control panel is still there though, which to me defeats the object of moving to a completely new version. They had a chance to get rid of it once and for all and merge it with Settings. Unless that comes later.

I'm amazed at how much win32 stuff there still is tbh, even in Windows 10. Its been years since Windows 7, and they're still relying on win32 windows in a touchscreen era.

[supportman]

The control panel is still there though, which to me defeats the object of moving to a completely new version. They had a chance to get rid of it once and for all and merge it with Settings. Unless that comes later.

 

Yeh strange one really, needs consistency and the Windows 10 settings are awful

 

[jthompson]

Windows 11

 

The Windows icon is also square-on rather than left-facing.

[paulkerton]

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery ChromeOS and MacOS are full on blushing right now.

[ITGuyNW]

The Windows icon is also square-on rather than left-facing.

You can also move it to its usual position and there's dark mode too

 

 

Windows 11 leak reveals new UI, Start menu, and more - The Verge

[paulkerton]

The Windows icon is also square-on rather than left-facing.

 

Isn't the Windows icon face on, the Microsoft logo?

[psydii]

That start menu is definitely taking design cues from the MS365 home page. I think if they are going to do that, they should really lean into it, making the productivity experience completely seamless.

 

I've never been a start menu purist though.

[tmoon-mint]

Thanks. I hate it.

[sonofsanta]

Windows 11

 

 

Ugh. Copying OSX much? Taking the executive decision here and now that everyone is getting it shifted to the left via GPP registry key when we switch

[tmoon-mint]

Ugh. Copying OSX much? Taking the executive decision here and now that everyone is getting it shifted to the left via GPP registry key when we switch

 

A feature that they should have copied instead. File explorer tabs! How is this still not a thing? The file explorer has remained unchanged since Windows 7 and quite frankly it shows.

Edited June 16, 2021 by tmoon-mint

[jthompson]

You never know, some people might prefer it centred. It might be more convenient for teachers using laptop touchpads or interactive panels.

[paulkerton]

You never know, some people might prefer it centred. It might be more convenient for teachers using laptop touchpads or interactive panels.

I have it centered (well not the start button, but the icons) but at the same time, i use ChromeOS most of the time anyway, so its a little more consistent that way for me.

[Oaktech]

Yeah, I think to the left for office machines and centred for teaching unless they kick up a fuss.

[Norphy]

Where are people getting the 11 technical preview? Are there any legit ways of getting it outside of MSDN or similar, or are people resorting to more nefarious ways of getting it?

[hardtailstar]

I center the desktop items....

 

It wouldnt surprise me if Microsoft are developing an Apple like laptop.

[foofighterjim]

It wouldn't surprise me if they ditched traditional GPOs for this and go purely for Intune management.

 

If they do continue with GPOs, they should do it properly, rather than the half job that was the early releases of Windows 10. Even now, you can't help but feel the GPOs are lacking in some areas (the bodge that was the new News & Interest widget in the taskbar springs to mind).

[tmoon-mint]

It wouldn't surprise me if they ditched traditional GPOs for this and go purely for Intune management.

 

If they do continue with GPOs, they should do it properly, rather than the half job that was the early releases of Windows 10. Even now, you can't help but feel the GPOs are lacking in some areas (the bodge that was the new News & Interest widget in the taskbar springs to mind).

 

With the Windows 10 EOL date being in 2025 by the time Windows 11 releases to the public that would give us less than 4 years to move entirely away from on premise AD and GPOs. Since there are orgs out there still using XP/7 I dont think thats a realistic time frame not to mention the cost of Intune.

[supportman]

A feature that they should have copied instead. File explorer tabs! How is this still not a thing? The file explorer has remained unchanged since Windows 7 and quite frankly it shows.

 

Yeh it's something that has been missing for a long time, but I did hear that explorer was getting an update as well to look more like SharePoint web browsing file layout.

 

Thats a good thing in my opinion as i'm so used to using SharePoint now, it really is much nicer and more spaced out.

Edited June 16, 2021 by supportman

[tmoon-mint]

Where are people getting the 11 technical preview? Are there any legit ways of getting it outside of MSDN or similar, or are people resorting to more nefarious ways of getting it?

 

It was leaked online I believe so no legitimate way of getting a copy.