Windows 12 may or may not be released this year; Microsoft hasn’t confirmed things, focusing instead on annual updates and feature packs for Windows 11, the latest offering from the established tech giant.
When Windows 11 launched in 2021, it met mixed reviews, with some users viewing it as only a cosmetic upgrade, with its merits hugely subjective. But the operating system has since evolved and how. It now runs on over 400 million devices, expected to reach half a billion this year, per an October 2023 Windows Central report[1].
The best of Windows 11: Not just a design change
Upon its release, Windows 11 grabbed eyeballs with its design updates: the centering and simplification of the Start Menu and the taskbar.
It also rounded the edges of windows, introduced new emojis, and added tabs to the File Explorer. However, the latest OS includes much more than these cosmetic changes.
Better gameplay and snappier performance
Microsoft has focused heavily on gaming features in Windows 11. The OS supports DirectStorage for faster loading, like Windows 10, but with Auto HDR for more visual clarity and a facility for enhancing the refresh rate.
The company has made memory management more efficient in Windows 11. You can enjoy faster SSD speeds and quicker load times. However, I daresay the results are not impressive unless you use an old, slow laptop.
Smoother remote work experiences
Many workplaces are still operating remotely after the pandemic, which makes the improved collaboration features of Windows 11 worth your attention. It provides eye contact adjustments and auto-framing for better video calls and an AI-fueled background blur to keep everyone’s focus on the agenda.
Compatible with (some) Android applications
Windows 11 lets you use some Android apps via the Amazon Appstore and expands on the Universal Windows Platform (UWP). So, you can also use Win32 apps such as — more good news! — the Epic Games Store. The latest versions of Windows 11 have Smart App control to permit only trusted apps.
Easier multitasking
Windows 11 offers Snap Layouts that group your windows and keep them on the taskbar. It is a mega win for faster multitasking. You can also better a multi-monitor experience as the system will remember the arrangement after you plug it out (seamless re-docking).
More intuitive tablet mode
Windows 11 simplifies using your device as a tablet due to improved touch, voice, and pen functionalities. For example, the stylus can access apps (up to four shortcuts); voice commands can fill input boxes.
Mega boost for artificial intelligence
It seems likely that Microsoft will integrate more AI features into Windows 11, much like Copilot, a Bing chat for real-time assistance. Microsoft’s investment in OpenAI (ChatGPT) and its vocal expression of an AI-focused future bodes well for Windows 11 users.
Windows 10 vs Windows 11: Quick Overview
| Windows 10 | Windows 11 | |
| Gameplay | Does not have Auto HDR | Supports Auto HDR |
| Android Apps | Limited | Many are supported |
| Design | Sleek | More user-friendly, with centered Start and Taskbar, Snap Layouts, an emoji clipboard, and widgets |
| Accessibility | Good | Better, with Live Captions, Natural Narrator, and more intuitive tablet mode |
| AI features | Copilot introduced in some devices | Besides Copilot, AI features are present in Paint, with more apps likely to follow suit. |
| Seamless Re-docking | Not present | The system remembers the arrangement of external displays. |
| Video Calling | Basic | Offers auto-framing, background blur, and better eye contact |
System Requirements for Windows 11
Compared to Windows 10, you will need a newer system with at least an Intel 8th-generation or AMD Ryzen 2000 processor.
The system should also support TPM 2.0, a hardware processor for security features like encryption and attestation. Installing Windows 11 on unsupported systems can be risky. You should check your system specifications before proceeding.
Final Word: Should you upgrade to Windows 11?
I see no harm in doing so. Microsoft will offer support for Windows 10 till 2025. But it is no longer selling fresh licenses.
With Windows 11, you can experience improved gameplay and productivity at work, snazzier visuals, and responsiveness. Moreover, it is a free upgrade, letting you switch back to Windows 10 within ten days.
I must warn you that Windows 11 has removed some apps, like Skype and OneNote, but you can still get them from the store. But the WordPad has gone, in case you are attached to this old document application. You can also wait a couple more years if Windows 10 is working well for you — there is no rush.
If and when Windows 12 releases, I anticipate improved user-friendliness with a new interface, higher energy efficiency, and the much-talked-about new version of the Windows platform (“Germanium”).
Windows 12 might quell prevailing complaints in Windows 11, hopefully starting with memory leaks, issues with AMD processors, and general stability. To its credit, Microsoft has quickly resolved Windows 11 issues — a trend I hope to see continuing as the OS becomes more widely adopted.
[1] Bowden Z. (2023, October). Exclusive: Windows 11 is active on almost half a billion devices, ahead of Microsoft’s expectations. Windows Central. https://www.windowscentral.com/software-apps/windows-11/exclusive-windows-11-is-active-on-almost-half-a-billion-devices-ahead-of-microsofts-expectations