Windows is a popular operating system designed and developed by Microsoft. It has been in use for many years, and with each new version, it brings new features and improvements. The latest version of Windows is Windows 11, released in 2021. In this article, we will discuss the differences between Windows 10 vs Windows 11.
Differences between Windows 10 and Windows 11
| Feature | Windows 10 | Windows 11 |
|---|---|---|
| Start Menu | Classic Start Menu with live tiles | Centered Start Menu with app icons |
| Design | Fluent Design System | Sun Valley Design |
| Taskbar | Search bar and Task View button in taskbar | The task View button moved to Start menu, new Widgets button |
| Snap Layouts | Snap Assist for predefined layouts | Snap Layouts with more flexibility and customization |
| Virtual Desktops | Task View for multiple desktops | Task View with new and improved virtual desktops |
| Touch Gestures | Limited touch gestures | Expanded touch gestures |
| Microsoft Store | Traditional Microsoft Store | Redesigned Microsoft Store with Android app support |
| System Requirements | Works on older hardware | Requires newer hardware with TPM 2.0 support |
| Microsoft Teams integration | Separate app or web-based | Integrated with taskbar and Start menu |
User Interface
One of the most significant differences between Windows 10 and Windows 11 is the user interface. Windows 11 has a completely redesigned user interface with a fresh, modern look. The Start menu has been moved to the center of the screen, and the icons are more spaced out. Windows 11 also has rounded corners on windows, giving it a softer look than Windows 10. Another notable change in Windows 11 is the new Snap Layouts feature. This feature allows users to quickly snap windows into pre-defined layouts for multitasking. Windows 10 also had a snap feature, but it was more limited in its functionality.
Start Menu
As mentioned earlier, the Start menu in Windows 11 has been moved to the center of the screen. The new Start menu in Windows 11 is more streamlined and simplified than the Start menu in Windows 10. The Start menu in Windows 11 no longer has Live Tiles, which were present in Windows 10. Instead, the Start menu in Windows 11 displays pinned and recommended apps, recent documents, and the user’s profile picture. The search bar is also more prominent in the new Start menu, making it easier for users to search for files and apps.
Taskbar
The taskbar in Windows 11 has also undergone significant changes. In Windows 11, the taskbar is more centered and has a new, modern design. The icons on the taskbar in Windows 11 are also more spaced out, making it easier to see what apps are open. One of the most significant changes to the taskbar in Windows 11 is the new Chat feature. Users can now quickly access their recent chats and connect with friends and family from the taskbar.
Widgets
Windows 11 introduces a new feature called Widgets. Widgets are small, interactive tiles that display information such as news, weather, and sports scores. Users can access Widgets by clicking on the Widgets icon on the taskbar or by swiping from the left side of the screen.
Widgets are similar to Live Tiles in Windows 10, but they are more customizable and can be resized and moved around the screen. Widgets in Windows 11 also have a more modern design than Live Tiles.
Gaming Features
Windows 11 has several new gaming features that were not present in Windows 10. One of the most notable gaming features in Windows 11 is Direct Storage. Direct Storage is a new technology that allows games to load much faster by bypassing the CPU and accessing the graphics card directly.
Windows 11 also introduces Auto HDR, which automatically adds HDR (High Dynamic Range) support to games that were not designed for HDR. This makes games look better on HDR displays without the need for developers to update their games.
Virtual Desktops
Virtual desktops have been available in Windows 10 for some time, but they have been improved in Windows 11. In Windows 11, users can quickly switch between virtual desktops by pressing Windows + Tab. Virtual desktops are also more customizable in Windows 11, allowing users to set different backgrounds for each virtual desktop.
System Requirements
Another significant difference between Windows 10 vs Windows 11 is the system requirements. Windows 11 has higher system requirements than Windows 10, meaning that not all devices that can run Windows 10 can run Windows 11. To run Windows 11, devices must have a 64-bit processor, at least 4
Deciding which operating system is better between Windows 10 and Windows 11 depends on various factors, including personal preferences, the hardware specifications of your device, and your usage requirements. Here are some of the pros and cons of each operating system to help you make an informed decision:
Pros of Windows 10:
- Widely used and familiar to most people
- Has a longer track record of updates and patches, making it more stable and reliable
- Compatible with a wider range of hardware and software
- No strict hardware requirements, meaning it can run on older devices
- Has a customizable Start menu with Live Tiles, which some users may prefer
Cons of Windows 10:
- The user interface may feel outdated to some users
- May require more manual customization to get the desired performance and appearance
- May not have some of the latest gaming features available in Windows 11
Pros of Windows 11:
- Has a fresh, modern user interface that some users may prefer
- Includes new features such as Snap Layouts and Widgets that improve multitasking and productivity
- Has improved gaming features such as DirectStorage and Auto HDR that make games look and perform better
- Virtual desktops are easier to use and more customizable
- Has better security features than Windows 10
Cons of Windows 11:
- Requires newer hardware with specific minimum requirements, which may not be available on older devices
- Compatibility issues may arise with older software and hardware
- Some users may not like the changes to the Start menu and taskbar
- May require more time and effort to customize and optimize for performance
Conclusion
In conclusion, Windows 11 is the latest version of Microsoft’s operating system, and it introduces several new features and improvements over its predecessor, Windows 10. Some of the most notable new features in Windows 11 include a redesigned user interface, improved multitasking with Snap Layouts and Snap Groups, the introduction of Widgets, better support for touch and pen input, improved gaming features, new virtual desktops, and a redesigned search interface.
FAQs
Windows 11 has stricter hardware requirements than Windows 10, including a 64-bit processor with at least two cores and a clock speed of 1 GHz or higher, at least 4 GB of RAM, and a DirectX 12 compatible graphics card or integrated GPU with a WDDM 2.0 driver.
Users with eligible devices running Windows 10 can upgrade to Windows 11 for free. However, not all devices will be eligible, and users may need to check their hardware compatibility before upgrading.
Windows 11 has faced criticism for its data collection policies, which some users may find intrusive. However, Microsoft has made efforts to improve privacy controls in Windows 11, including a new Privacy Dashboard that allows users to manage their privacy settings more easily. Users can also opt out of data collection during setup and adjust privacy settings in the Settings app.