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So to summerize what they have announced (so far) - * A new look task bar. Centred similar to the macOS dock by default but lacking the ability to position on

So to summerize what they have announced (so far) - * A new look task bar. Centred similar to the macOS dock by default but lacking the ability to position on any other screen edge? * A new start menu design * Windows have rounded corners * Some built in apps such as the Xbox app and Microsoft Store have been redesigned (Xbox Game Pass and xCloud built into the Xbox app) * New touch keyboard (SwiftKey?) with improved speech recognition * New haptics when a stylus is used * Teams integrated into Windows * Support for Android apps built into the OS (using Intel Bridge technology whatever that is?). Apparently this works via the Amazon App Store although I am not sure what this actually means in a practical sense? * A new widgets fly out for weather, news, etc. (appears this will require you login with a Microsoft Account) * Improved windows snapping with a dynamic (based on your screen(s) size and layout) UI built into the maximize button * DirectX 12 improvements (unsure if limited to Windows 11 only?) * Auto HDR for games * Improved experience when switching between tablet and desktop modes * Apparently there will be "Windows 11 ready" PCs for sale "today"? * Microsoft say they have been working with AMD, Intel and Qualcomm to optimise the silicon for Windows 11 * 40% smaller Windows Updates * TPM 2.0 and UEFI are hardware requirements. No legacy BIOS compatibility at all? * A Microsoft account and internet connectivity is required for Windows 11 Home setup * 64-bit processor required (no 32-bit build at all?) * There is a universal mute button in the system tray so you can mute yourself system wide rather than in the app Probably some other things I have missed

zeusk 5y ago
I work on displays, AutoHDR and DX12 changes are coming to 10 as well (unsure about win7 or dx12on11).
Semaphor 5y ago
> lacking the ability to position on any other screen edge? I didn’t watch the video, and your question mark gives me hope: Was this actually said? A horizontal taskbar would be horrible.
- satysin 5y ago
  They didn't say however in the leaked build last week the taskbar could not be moved to the left, right or top of the screen as it previously could. Hopefully it was just a limitation in that particular developer build.
  - Semaphor 5y ago
    Thank you, I really hope that changes.
  - Semaphor 5y ago
    Doesn’t look like it. Wow. > Alignment to the bottom of the screen is the only location allowed. -- https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11-specifications#primaryR4 https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11-specifica...
- tummulfingur 5y ago
  You have been able to move the task bar to left/right screen edges for years. If your task bar is not locked, just click and drag it to the window edges. A feature to Left align the buttons has been shown in the leaked builds.
  - satysin 5y ago
    Correct you can left align the buttons but there is no longer settings related to locking the taskbar and dragging it does nothing in the leaked build. Hopefully that changes however with the new widgets fly-in from the left side it may be locked to the bottom similar to the dock on iOS.
  - moogly 5y ago
    > You have been able to move the task bar to left/right screen edges for years Since Windows 95, even.
    - spaetzleesser 5y ago
silicon2401 5y ago
> A Microsoft account and internet connectivity is required for Windows 11 Home setup Looks like I'll be skipping windows 11 and any future windows iterations if this is unavoidable
- mpfundstein 5y ago
  just get Pro
  - symlinkk 5y ago
    No. Why am I paying a company more money to fix a problem they caused? I think I’ll just get a Mac.
    - mk89 5y ago
      What a lame excuse to buy yourself a Mac. Totally recommended :)
      - FalconSensei 5y ago
        Totally recommend it too. There are a few things that I don't like on Mac, but overall, works really well. And you can have a local account
        handrous 5y ago
        What's frustrating about the Mac is that every time they screw up bad enough that I try to switch back to other options (I was a Windows and Linux, among other things, user for 15 years before I started using Mac) I find they're still so much worse that I'd just be cutting off my nose to spite my face, by switching. I wish they had actual competition. It doesn't seem like anyone else is targeting the same market at all, despite technically having "competing products".
        ur-whale 5y ago
        > And you can have a local account For now.
Aerroon 5y ago
>* A Microsoft account and internet connectivity is required for Windows 11 Home setup I refuse. There better be easily accessible versions without this requirement.
- emteycz 5y ago
  I expect the enterprise version to not have this requirement. Massive enterprises would refuse to upgrade if it did.
  - satysin 5y ago
    Correct, this is a limitation in the Home Edition only according to the system requirements.
- kleiba 5y ago
  I'm not a Windows person but recently had to go through the setup process on my parents' newly purchased desktop machine. As far as I could tell, creating a user account just locally was not possible, you had to have an online account, hooked up with a valid email address. Given that most free email providers require you to provide your phone number (I don't own a phone), I had to do some digging--- all just to create a local user account on Windows 10.
  - vsareto 5y ago
    Can you make a Microsoft account at the time of install? I think I’m just going to make a junk account instead of linking it to any real account I use
    - kleiba 5y ago
      That's what I did, but I first had to find a free email provider that doesn't asks for a valid phone number.
  - Aerroon 5y ago
    >As far as I could tell, creating a user account just locally was not possible, you had to have an online account, hooked up with a valid email address. It's usually an option that's hidden away. It's definitely there if you disconnect the computer from the network when you install the OS. Also, if you want the old type display drivers instead of DCH you'd have to do that. Otherwise Windows will automatically download and install DCH drivers which are a pain to uninstall. Edit: if you're wondering what the problem with DCH drivers can be, then the problem is that they can't come with an application. If you have Nvidia display drivers installed as DCH and want to use the Nvidia Control Panel then you have to get the Control Panel from the Microsoft Store separately.
aikah 5y ago
> * Support for Android apps built into the OS (using Intel Bridge technology whatever that is?) Interesting, why would they do that? I mean it's nice ;) but, is this the new MS mobile strategy? Android?
- beerandt 5y ago
  Microsoft pivoting business model to being an Amazon referrer?
- wongarsu 5y ago
  Seamless interaction between phone and Windows is their mobile strategy. Windows 10 already did a lot in this direction, with the ability to link a phone, or to cast the phone screen onto a dedicated window. Allowing apps to run in Windows is a logical next step. The other part of their mobile strategy are tablets or tablet-substitutes. Basically their whole Surface lineup, which Windows 11 aims to improve.
  - williamstein 5y ago
    Except for one small detail, they appear not to support the latest Surface Go 2 tablet! According to the PC Health Check tool, my maxed out Microsoft Surface Go 2 that I bought new a few months ago (with 8GB RAM, 64-bit Intel core m3 processor) is NOT supported to upgrade to Windows 11. Wow. Their system requirements tool also doesn't say why my tablet doesn't meet the requirements, just that it doesn't.
- kinjba11 5y ago
  I believe Apple is working on getting iOS apps working in future versions of Mac OS. Microsoft being able to run Android apps in Windows is probably in part a response to that.
  - Toutouxc 5y ago
    You can already install iOS apps in the current version of macOS, but only on Apple Silicon machines and app developers can decide whether their apps show up on the Mac App Store.
dean177 5y ago
- Windows have rounded corners - Teams integrated into Windows - A new widgets fly out for weather, news, etc. (appears this will require you login with a Microsoft Account) - A Microsoft account and internet connectivity is required for Windows 11 Home setup No thank you
- r00fus 5y ago
  > - Teams integrated into Windows Is this just asking for antitrust? I mean, Apple can get away with sherlocking their opposition but they don't have a monopoly on desktop OS.
  - UnpossibleJim 5y ago
    I was going to ask, didn't they get sued in the 90's for something similar?
    - wolfi1 5y ago
      history repeats itself.
    - pookeh 5y ago
      They got sued but IE also became the dominant browser. I think they must be factoring this decision into their Teams' CAC.
  - dmt0 5y ago
    Gonna wait for Windows 11N
  - da_chicken 5y ago
    I don't really think desktops are a real source of tech competition anymore. If the FTC isn't going to do anything about vendor lock-in on iOS, MacOS, Android, or ChromeOS, they really don't have any business doing the same on Windows.
- bluescrn 5y ago
  > Teams integrated into Windows How about fixing basic functionality like the ability to scroll back and view old messages, before integrating it into the OS?...
Black101 5y ago
> * TPM 2.0 and UEFI are hardware requirements. No legacy BIOS compatibility at all? Could they try to block Linux installs? > * There is a universal mute button in the system tray so you can mute yourself system wide rather than in the app You could always click the speaker and mute it system-wide
- zamalek 5y ago
  > Could they try to block Linux installs? Linux works just fine with UEFI, that's how I have it installed on all my machines.
  - laurowyn 5y ago
    I think the implication is TPM 2.0 and secure boot preventing users from booting unsigned code and installing Linux.
    - xxpor 5y ago
      It does, but every computer I've had with both has the ability to switch secure boot on and off.
    - Arnavion 5y ago
      re: Secure Boot: >https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/design/device-experiences/oem-secure-boot https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/design/dev... >For more information, search for the System.Fundamentals.Firmware.UEFISecureBoot system requirements in PDF download of the Windows Hardware Compatibility Program Specifications and Policies. >https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/design/compatibility/whcp-specifications-policies https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/design/com... >Windows 11 >Download Specifications and Policies, version 21H2 This is a .zip file containing multiple PDFs. From "Systems.pdf": >System.Fundamentals.Firmware.UEFISecureBoot (page 99 of 184) >15. No in-line mechanism is provided whereby a user can bypass Secure Boot failures and boot anyway.Signature verification override during boot when Secure Boot is enabled is not allowed. A physically present user override is not permitted for UEFI images that fail signature verification during boot. If a user wants to boot an image that does not pass signature verification, they must explicitly disable Secure Boot on the target system. So if you want to boot an OS that doesn't work with Secure Boot, you're allowed to disable it. You just won't be able to boot Windows 11. >20. (Optional for systems intended to be locked down) Enable/Disable Secure Boot. A physically present user must be allowed to disable Secure Boot via firmware setup without possession of PKpriv. A Windows Server may also disable Secure Boot remotely using a strongly authenticated (preferably public-key based) out-of-bandmanagement connection, such as to a baseboard management controller or service processor. Programmatic disabling of Secure Boot either during Boot Services or after exiting EFI Boot Services MUST NOT be possible. So they don't disallow the OEM from allowing Secure Boot to be disabled. It does seem weird to see "must be allowed to disable" in a point marked "Optional", but maybe there's a strict definition of "systems intended to be locked down" that OEMs can't apply willy-nilly to any arbitrary consumer device. At the very least, they're not requiring the OEM to disallow Secure Boot from being disabled.
sorenjan 5y ago
> A new look task bar. Centred similar to the macOS dock by default but lacking the ability to position on any other screen edge? This is confirmed on the Windows 11 specification site: > Alignment to the bottom of the screen is the only location allowed. https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11-specifications https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11-specifica...
- Exmoor 5y ago
  Yuck. That'll keep me on 10 for the time being. With widescreen monitors it's so nice to be able to use as much of your vertical real-estate as possible.
- moogly 5y ago
  Well, hopefully something like this app still works https://github.com/CrypticButter/ButteryTaskbar https://github.com/CrypticButter/ButteryTaskbar (it makes it so the Taskbar is only visible when you press the Win key). I switched to having the taskbar on the left in 1999 or so, then when I got a super ultrawide monitor I just realized I don't need/want it visible at all and found the program linked to above.
- zubspace 5y ago
  This is a shame. I always was the odd one who put his task bar to the right, but it makes so much more sense if you have many windows open. I can scan over the titles much faster vertically. There's more space for task tray icons and I could easily add multiple rows of quick start icons in a folder. [1] For some reason nowadays design trumps everything. I understand, it has to look good and I like how Windows 11 looks on those screenshots. But sometimes those Microsoft developers seem to forget, that with every cut feature they will annoy some users. For example, I fear the day they will finally get rid of the old Control Panel. It's even more annoying if the change just happens because of "Design"... [1] https://imgur.com/a/q7gOlIG https://imgur.com/a/q7gOlIG
  - potiuper 5y ago
    Why right instead of left as text is ltr?
xxpor 5y ago
>40% smaller Windows Updates Was there anything about faster updates? Why does the Windows Update service take 50%+ of my CPU and multiple minutes to figure out if there's any updates available for me? I get Windows doesn't have a package manager, but given yum and deb can figure out the answer in seconds... there has to be some way to improve that.
- encryptluks2 5y ago
  Actually Windows does have a package manager now, it is called winget.
  - xxpor 5y ago
    So when is MS going to start using it for basic OS stuff? :)
    - userbinator 5y ago
      Hopefully once it's actually usable, which might be a long time away --- the last I looked, it didn't even support dependencies or uninstalling...
      - encryptluks2 5y ago
        Well, I guess you haven't looked recently.
        userbinator 5y ago
        https://github.com/microsoft/winget-cli/blob/master/doc/windows-package-manager-v1-roadmap.md https://github.com/microsoft/winget-cli/blob/master/doc/wind... Uninstallation is now "experimental", and dependency support is still missing. The latter is what I'd consider a core functionality of a package manager, so my original comment stands.
        5y ago
russli1993 5y ago
they are integrating teams, onedrive, office, microsoft 365 stuff directly into windows 11. Doesn't that spark anti-trust concerns? Think about Microsoft was fined for anti-trust for integrating internet explorer into windows and making it the default. Looks like every platform holder is just using the dominance of their platform to push their other stuff.
- kwanbix 5y ago
  Microsoft was not fined for integrating IE IIRC. They where fined because they did not allowed you to install Netscape for example. I meant to said that they prevented OEMs like Dell, Acer, etc., to install Netscape. They gave them more discounts and such if you didn't install Netscape. They did similar with OS/2 IIRC. Is not that they prevented you from installing OS/2 as an OEM, but Microsoft will charge you for the number of PCs you sold, not he PCs with Windows. This was a long time ago, so I might be wrong.
  - p_j_w 5y ago
    No, you were always able to install Netscape. It was indeed bundling that they were fined for.
- boublepop 5y ago
  Sure does, but Microsoft is eyeing the valuations of zoom and slack and have decided that the fines they’ll get are a bargain for destroying those companies and taking over the market.
feikname 5y ago
> * Support for Android apps built into the OS (using Intel Bridge technology whatever that is?). Straight copy pasta from https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/newsroom/news/intel-tech-unleashes-windows-experience.html https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/newsroom/news/intel-... > Intel Bridge Technology is a runtime post-compiler that enables applications to run natively on x86-based devices, including running those applications on Windows. Intel’s multi-architecture XPU strategy provides the right engines for the right workloads by integrating leading CPU cores, graphics technology, artificial intelligence accelerators, image processors and more, in a single, verified solution. looks like a JIT recompiler to me
yyyk 5y ago
IMHO, The main things of interest are the 40% smaller Windows Updates, TPM 2.0 requirement and Microsoft account requirement. * Windows Updates need to be solved even more comprehensively (get rid of winsxs or use smaller backing, adopt sane file locking so that reboots are less required, etc.). Still any improvement can justify a new version by itself. * Per wiki, TPM 2.0 was released in 2019. 2019 wasn't that long ago. Does that mean older computers will be unable to run W11? Many more computers will end up running Linux eventually. * The account requirement is unfortunately. Really, MS didn't get enough users using the old method?
- pxeboot 5y ago
  > TPM 2.0 was released in 2019 This can't be right. I have 5+ year old PCs with 2.0 TPMs.
  - stonogo 5y ago
    It isn't. TPM 2.0 was standardized in 2015; the most recent update to the standard was published in 2019.
    - yyyk 5y ago
      I stand corrected. Still, 2015 isn't that long ago, and new systems of the time couldn't adopt it immediately. Would be odd for MS to do so - according to other news, W11 could run with TPM 1.2, so apparently they didn't increase their requirements that much. Even that would leave quite a few systems out...
michaelbrave 5y ago
> * TPM 2.0 and UEFI are hardware requirements. No legacy BIOS compatibility at all? This is a dealbreaker for me, guess I won't be upgrading and will use linux most of the time instead of half of the time going forward
- josteink 5y ago
  Just out of curiosity, what part do you find troublesome? TPM, UEFI or both? And why?
  - anakaine 5y ago
    For me personally, TPM is the concern because of how integrated DRM is with it. Light DRM is fine, and prevents casual rights abuse by casual players. Stricter DRM gets used to lock things up and it becomes pervasive and hard to discourage. It chews extra resources, requires more power, and eventually means that some things that probably should be copied freely eventually cannot ever really be. Just imagine if Doom had been written with TPM in mind. You would never see it running on any of the myriad devices that people have had it running on, and the knowledge gained during those builds would not have come into existence.
  - II2II 5y ago
    It can be the consequence of the hardware someone owns. As an example: my desktop is from 2012 and its performance does not justify its replacement.
- pta2002 5y ago
  Same for me, I have a recent-ish desktop that works just fine (Haswell) but that TPM requirement means I can't upgrade... It's forcing me to throw away a perfectly functional computer if I want to upgrade.
- sixothree 5y ago
  Full disk encryption is an important feature. TPM helps enable that. I can't imagine travelling with a work laptop without FDE.
celsoazevedo 5y ago
> * A Microsoft account and internet connectivity is required for Windows 11 Home setup If that's the case, I guess Windows 10 is the last Windows version I will use on my machines.
jandrese 5y ago
CPU requirements are also significantly stiffened up. Intel Core i8 or newer or AMD Ryzen 2 or newer. https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/design/minimum/supported/windows-11-supported-intel-processors https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/design/min...
- BoorishBears 5y ago
  Incredibly misleading statement. You just linked to a list of processors for starting development of a new embedded Windows device. 99.9999% of people will never have to concern themselves with this. Microsoft would never limit support to CPUs released a few years ago.
  - jandrese 5y ago
    Can you verify this using the verification tool? Reports on the internet say the tool reports machines with earlier generation processors are being flagged as not compatible. I don't have any i8 or later CPUs to test with, but thus far all of my machines with TPMs have reported as not compatible from Microsoft's tool. https://aka.ms/GetPCHealthCheckApp https://aka.ms/GetPCHealthCheckApp
    - BoorishBears 5y ago
      Here's the actual compatibility doc. https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/compatibility/windows-11/ https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/compatibility/windo... TPM 1.2 is the bare minimum required, TPM 2.0 for some security features That's a very far cry from "8th gen Intel required", TPM 1.2 has been around for more than a decade. Odds are you need to change a setting in your BIOS.
      - virgulino 5y ago
        Your link shows only Intel >= 8th gen supported. This link says TPM 2.0 minimum: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11-specifications https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11-specifica... And no 1st gen AMD Ryzen supported: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/design/minimum/supported/windows-11-supported-amd-processors https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/design/min...
jptech 5y ago
Also, Aero is back! Everything looks transparent.
cdrini 5y ago
Do you have a citation for this? > * A Microsoft account and internet connectivity is required for Windows 11 Home setup I saw a video of Linus tech tips taking the leaked demo for a spin, and it looked like there was an option to use it with a local only account: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odZSCdNTFPw&t=305s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odZSCdNTFPw&t=305s
- jtvjan 5y ago
  That's Windows 11 Pro, not Home.
- cdrini 5y ago
  Update: it does appear to be the case that Windows 11 home edition will need a Microsoft account :( src: another Linus video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFCeCPpfnhQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFCeCPpfnhQ
Wowfunhappy 5y ago
> * TPM 2.0 and UEFI are hardware requirements. No legacy BIOS compatibility at all? Couldn’t you use Clover? OS X doesn’t have BIOS compatibility either, which is a major reason Clover exists.
citysurrounded 5y ago
The only things I wanted on this list and honestly could've lived without are DirectX improvements and 40% smaller windows updates, lol

zeusk 5y ago

I work on displays, AutoHDR and DX12 changes are coming to 10 as well (unsure about win7 or dx12on11).

Semaphor 5y ago

> lacking the ability to position on any other screen edge? I didn’t watch the video, and your question mark gives me hope: Was this actually said? A horizontal taskbar would be horrible.

satysin 5y ago
They didn't say however in the leaked build last week the taskbar could not be moved to the left, right or top of the screen as it previously could. Hopefully it was just a limitation in that particular developer build.
- Semaphor 5y ago
  Thank you, I really hope that changes.
- Semaphor 5y ago
  Doesn’t look like it. Wow. > Alignment to the bottom of the screen is the only location allowed. -- https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11-specifications#primaryR4 https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11-specifica...
tummulfingur 5y ago
You have been able to move the task bar to left/right screen edges for years. If your task bar is not locked, just click and drag it to the window edges. A feature to Left align the buttons has been shown in the leaked builds.
- satysin 5y ago
  Correct you can left align the buttons but there is no longer settings related to locking the taskbar and dragging it does nothing in the leaked build. Hopefully that changes however with the new widgets fly-in from the left side it may be locked to the bottom similar to the dock on iOS.
- moogly 5y ago
  > You have been able to move the task bar to left/right screen edges for years Since Windows 95, even.
  - spaetzleesser 5y ago

silicon2401 5y ago

> A Microsoft account and internet connectivity is required for Windows 11 Home setup Looks like I'll be skipping windows 11 and any future windows iterations if this is unavoidable

mpfundstein 5y ago
just get Pro
- symlinkk 5y ago
  No. Why am I paying a company more money to fix a problem they caused? I think I’ll just get a Mac.
  - mk89 5y ago
    What a lame excuse to buy yourself a Mac. Totally recommended :)
    - FalconSensei 5y ago
      Totally recommend it too. There are a few things that I don't like on Mac, but overall, works really well. And you can have a local account
      - handrous 5y ago
        What's frustrating about the Mac is that every time they screw up bad enough that I try to switch back to other options (I was a Windows and Linux, among other things, user for 15 years before I started using Mac) I find they're still so much worse that I'd just be cutting off my nose to spite my face, by switching. I wish they had actual competition. It doesn't seem like anyone else is targeting the same market at all, despite technically having "competing products".
      - ur-whale 5y ago
        > And you can have a local account For now.

Aerroon 5y ago

>* A Microsoft account and internet connectivity is required for Windows 11 Home setup I refuse. There better be easily accessible versions without this requirement.

emteycz 5y ago
I expect the enterprise version to not have this requirement. Massive enterprises would refuse to upgrade if it did.
- satysin 5y ago
  Correct, this is a limitation in the Home Edition only according to the system requirements.
kleiba 5y ago
I'm not a Windows person but recently had to go through the setup process on my parents' newly purchased desktop machine. As far as I could tell, creating a user account just locally was not possible, you had to have an online account, hooked up with a valid email address. Given that most free email providers require you to provide your phone number (I don't own a phone), I had to do some digging--- all just to create a local user account on Windows 10.
- vsareto 5y ago
  Can you make a Microsoft account at the time of install? I think I’m just going to make a junk account instead of linking it to any real account I use
  - kleiba 5y ago
    That's what I did, but I first had to find a free email provider that doesn't asks for a valid phone number.
- Aerroon 5y ago
  >As far as I could tell, creating a user account just locally was not possible, you had to have an online account, hooked up with a valid email address. It's usually an option that's hidden away. It's definitely there if you disconnect the computer from the network when you install the OS. Also, if you want the old type display drivers instead of DCH you'd have to do that. Otherwise Windows will automatically download and install DCH drivers which are a pain to uninstall. Edit: if you're wondering what the problem with DCH drivers can be, then the problem is that they can't come with an application. If you have Nvidia display drivers installed as DCH and want to use the Nvidia Control Panel then you have to get the Control Panel from the Microsoft Store separately.

aikah 5y ago

> * Support for Android apps built into the OS (using Intel Bridge technology whatever that is?) Interesting, why would they do that? I mean it's nice ;) but, is this the new MS mobile strategy? Android?

beerandt 5y ago
Microsoft pivoting business model to being an Amazon referrer?
wongarsu 5y ago
Seamless interaction between phone and Windows is their mobile strategy. Windows 10 already did a lot in this direction, with the ability to link a phone, or to cast the phone screen onto a dedicated window. Allowing apps to run in Windows is a logical next step. The other part of their mobile strategy are tablets or tablet-substitutes. Basically their whole Surface lineup, which Windows 11 aims to improve.
- williamstein 5y ago
  Except for one small detail, they appear not to support the latest Surface Go 2 tablet! According to the PC Health Check tool, my maxed out Microsoft Surface Go 2 that I bought new a few months ago (with 8GB RAM, 64-bit Intel core m3 processor) is NOT supported to upgrade to Windows 11. Wow. Their system requirements tool also doesn't say why my tablet doesn't meet the requirements, just that it doesn't.
kinjba11 5y ago
I believe Apple is working on getting iOS apps working in future versions of Mac OS. Microsoft being able to run Android apps in Windows is probably in part a response to that.
- Toutouxc 5y ago
  You can already install iOS apps in the current version of macOS, but only on Apple Silicon machines and app developers can decide whether their apps show up on the Mac App Store.

dean177 5y ago

- Windows have rounded corners - Teams integrated into Windows - A new widgets fly out for weather, news, etc. (appears this will require you login with a Microsoft Account) - A Microsoft account and internet connectivity is required for Windows 11 Home setup No thank you

r00fus 5y ago
> - Teams integrated into Windows Is this just asking for antitrust? I mean, Apple can get away with sherlocking their opposition but they don't have a monopoly on desktop OS.
- UnpossibleJim 5y ago
  I was going to ask, didn't they get sued in the 90's for something similar?
  - wolfi1 5y ago
    history repeats itself.
  - pookeh 5y ago
    They got sued but IE also became the dominant browser. I think they must be factoring this decision into their Teams' CAC.
- dmt0 5y ago
  Gonna wait for Windows 11N
- da_chicken 5y ago
  I don't really think desktops are a real source of tech competition anymore. If the FTC isn't going to do anything about vendor lock-in on iOS, MacOS, Android, or ChromeOS, they really don't have any business doing the same on Windows.
bluescrn 5y ago
> Teams integrated into Windows How about fixing basic functionality like the ability to scroll back and view old messages, before integrating it into the OS?...

Black101 5y ago

> * TPM 2.0 and UEFI are hardware requirements. No legacy BIOS compatibility at all? Could they try to block Linux installs? > * There is a universal mute button in the system tray so you can mute yourself system wide rather than in the app You could always click the speaker and mute it system-wide

zamalek 5y ago
> Could they try to block Linux installs? Linux works just fine with UEFI, that's how I have it installed on all my machines.
- laurowyn 5y ago
  I think the implication is TPM 2.0 and secure boot preventing users from booting unsigned code and installing Linux.
  - xxpor 5y ago
    It does, but every computer I've had with both has the ability to switch secure boot on and off.
  - Arnavion 5y ago
    re: Secure Boot: >https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/design/device-experiences/oem-secure-boot https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/design/dev... >For more information, search for the System.Fundamentals.Firmware.UEFISecureBoot system requirements in PDF download of the Windows Hardware Compatibility Program Specifications and Policies. >https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/design/compatibility/whcp-specifications-policies https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/design/com... >Windows 11 >Download Specifications and Policies, version 21H2 This is a .zip file containing multiple PDFs. From "Systems.pdf": >System.Fundamentals.Firmware.UEFISecureBoot (page 99 of 184) >15. No in-line mechanism is provided whereby a user can bypass Secure Boot failures and boot anyway.Signature verification override during boot when Secure Boot is enabled is not allowed. A physically present user override is not permitted for UEFI images that fail signature verification during boot. If a user wants to boot an image that does not pass signature verification, they must explicitly disable Secure Boot on the target system. So if you want to boot an OS that doesn't work with Secure Boot, you're allowed to disable it. You just won't be able to boot Windows 11. >20. (Optional for systems intended to be locked down) Enable/Disable Secure Boot. A physically present user must be allowed to disable Secure Boot via firmware setup without possession of PKpriv. A Windows Server may also disable Secure Boot remotely using a strongly authenticated (preferably public-key based) out-of-bandmanagement connection, such as to a baseboard management controller or service processor. Programmatic disabling of Secure Boot either during Boot Services or after exiting EFI Boot Services MUST NOT be possible. So they don't disallow the OEM from allowing Secure Boot to be disabled. It does seem weird to see "must be allowed to disable" in a point marked "Optional", but maybe there's a strict definition of "systems intended to be locked down" that OEMs can't apply willy-nilly to any arbitrary consumer device. At the very least, they're not requiring the OEM to disallow Secure Boot from being disabled.

sorenjan 5y ago

> A new look task bar. Centred similar to the macOS dock by default but lacking the ability to position on any other screen edge? This is confirmed on the Windows 11 specification site: > Alignment to the bottom of the screen is the only location allowed. https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11-specifications https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11-specifica...

Exmoor 5y ago
Yuck. That'll keep me on 10 for the time being. With widescreen monitors it's so nice to be able to use as much of your vertical real-estate as possible.
moogly 5y ago
Well, hopefully something like this app still works https://github.com/CrypticButter/ButteryTaskbar https://github.com/CrypticButter/ButteryTaskbar (it makes it so the Taskbar is only visible when you press the Win key). I switched to having the taskbar on the left in 1999 or so, then when I got a super ultrawide monitor I just realized I don't need/want it visible at all and found the program linked to above.
zubspace 5y ago
This is a shame. I always was the odd one who put his task bar to the right, but it makes so much more sense if you have many windows open. I can scan over the titles much faster vertically. There's more space for task tray icons and I could easily add multiple rows of quick start icons in a folder. [1] For some reason nowadays design trumps everything. I understand, it has to look good and I like how Windows 11 looks on those screenshots. But sometimes those Microsoft developers seem to forget, that with every cut feature they will annoy some users. For example, I fear the day they will finally get rid of the old Control Panel. It's even more annoying if the change just happens because of "Design"... [1] https://imgur.com/a/q7gOlIG https://imgur.com/a/q7gOlIG
- potiuper 5y ago
  Why right instead of left as text is ltr?

xxpor 5y ago

>40% smaller Windows Updates Was there anything about faster updates? Why does the Windows Update service take 50%+ of my CPU and multiple minutes to figure out if there's any updates available for me? I get Windows doesn't have a package manager, but given yum and deb can figure out the answer in seconds... there has to be some way to improve that.

encryptluks2 5y ago
Actually Windows does have a package manager now, it is called winget.
- xxpor 5y ago
  So when is MS going to start using it for basic OS stuff? :)
  - userbinator 5y ago
    Hopefully once it's actually usable, which might be a long time away --- the last I looked, it didn't even support dependencies or uninstalling...
    - encryptluks2 5y ago
      Well, I guess you haven't looked recently.
      - userbinator 5y ago
        https://github.com/microsoft/winget-cli/blob/master/doc/windows-package-manager-v1-roadmap.md https://github.com/microsoft/winget-cli/blob/master/doc/wind... Uninstallation is now "experimental", and dependency support is still missing. The latter is what I'd consider a core functionality of a package manager, so my original comment stands.
        5y ago

russli1993 5y ago

they are integrating teams, onedrive, office, microsoft 365 stuff directly into windows 11. Doesn't that spark anti-trust concerns? Think about Microsoft was fined for anti-trust for integrating internet explorer into windows and making it the default. Looks like every platform holder is just using the dominance of their platform to push their other stuff.

kwanbix 5y ago
Microsoft was not fined for integrating IE IIRC. They where fined because they did not allowed you to install Netscape for example. I meant to said that they prevented OEMs like Dell, Acer, etc., to install Netscape. They gave them more discounts and such if you didn't install Netscape. They did similar with OS/2 IIRC. Is not that they prevented you from installing OS/2 as an OEM, but Microsoft will charge you for the number of PCs you sold, not he PCs with Windows. This was a long time ago, so I might be wrong.
- p_j_w 5y ago
  No, you were always able to install Netscape. It was indeed bundling that they were fined for.
boublepop 5y ago
Sure does, but Microsoft is eyeing the valuations of zoom and slack and have decided that the fines they’ll get are a bargain for destroying those companies and taking over the market.

feikname 5y ago

> * Support for Android apps built into the OS (using Intel Bridge technology whatever that is?). Straight copy pasta from https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/newsroom/news/intel-tech-unleashes-windows-experience.html https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/newsroom/news/intel-... > Intel Bridge Technology is a runtime post-compiler that enables applications to run natively on x86-based devices, including running those applications on Windows. Intel’s multi-architecture XPU strategy provides the right engines for the right workloads by integrating leading CPU cores, graphics technology, artificial intelligence accelerators, image processors and more, in a single, verified solution. looks like a JIT recompiler to me

yyyk 5y ago

IMHO, The main things of interest are the 40% smaller Windows Updates, TPM 2.0 requirement and Microsoft account requirement. * Windows Updates need to be solved even more comprehensively (get rid of winsxs or use smaller backing, adopt sane file locking so that reboots are less required, etc.). Still any improvement can justify a new version by itself. * Per wiki, TPM 2.0 was released in 2019. 2019 wasn't that long ago. Does that mean older computers will be unable to run W11? Many more computers will end up running Linux eventually. * The account requirement is unfortunately. Really, MS didn't get enough users using the old method?

pxeboot 5y ago
> TPM 2.0 was released in 2019 This can't be right. I have 5+ year old PCs with 2.0 TPMs.
- stonogo 5y ago
  It isn't. TPM 2.0 was standardized in 2015; the most recent update to the standard was published in 2019.
  - yyyk 5y ago
    I stand corrected. Still, 2015 isn't that long ago, and new systems of the time couldn't adopt it immediately. Would be odd for MS to do so - according to other news, W11 could run with TPM 1.2, so apparently they didn't increase their requirements that much. Even that would leave quite a few systems out...

michaelbrave 5y ago

> * TPM 2.0 and UEFI are hardware requirements. No legacy BIOS compatibility at all? This is a dealbreaker for me, guess I won't be upgrading and will use linux most of the time instead of half of the time going forward

josteink 5y ago
Just out of curiosity, what part do you find troublesome? TPM, UEFI or both? And why?
- anakaine 5y ago
  For me personally, TPM is the concern because of how integrated DRM is with it. Light DRM is fine, and prevents casual rights abuse by casual players. Stricter DRM gets used to lock things up and it becomes pervasive and hard to discourage. It chews extra resources, requires more power, and eventually means that some things that probably should be copied freely eventually cannot ever really be. Just imagine if Doom had been written with TPM in mind. You would never see it running on any of the myriad devices that people have had it running on, and the knowledge gained during those builds would not have come into existence.
- II2II 5y ago
  It can be the consequence of the hardware someone owns. As an example: my desktop is from 2012 and its performance does not justify its replacement.
pta2002 5y ago
Same for me, I have a recent-ish desktop that works just fine (Haswell) but that TPM requirement means I can't upgrade... It's forcing me to throw away a perfectly functional computer if I want to upgrade.
sixothree 5y ago
Full disk encryption is an important feature. TPM helps enable that. I can't imagine travelling with a work laptop without FDE.

celsoazevedo 5y ago

> * A Microsoft account and internet connectivity is required for Windows 11 Home setup If that's the case, I guess Windows 10 is the last Windows version I will use on my machines.

jandrese 5y ago

CPU requirements are also significantly stiffened up. Intel Core i8 or newer or AMD Ryzen 2 or newer. https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/design/minimum/supported/windows-11-supported-intel-processors https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/design/min...

BoorishBears 5y ago
Incredibly misleading statement. You just linked to a list of processors for starting development of a new embedded Windows device. 99.9999% of people will never have to concern themselves with this. Microsoft would never limit support to CPUs released a few years ago.
- jandrese 5y ago
  Can you verify this using the verification tool? Reports on the internet say the tool reports machines with earlier generation processors are being flagged as not compatible. I don't have any i8 or later CPUs to test with, but thus far all of my machines with TPMs have reported as not compatible from Microsoft's tool. https://aka.ms/GetPCHealthCheckApp https://aka.ms/GetPCHealthCheckApp
  - BoorishBears 5y ago
    Here's the actual compatibility doc. https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/compatibility/windows-11/ https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/compatibility/windo... TPM 1.2 is the bare minimum required, TPM 2.0 for some security features That's a very far cry from "8th gen Intel required", TPM 1.2 has been around for more than a decade. Odds are you need to change a setting in your BIOS.
    - virgulino 5y ago
      Your link shows only Intel >= 8th gen supported. This link says TPM 2.0 minimum: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11-specifications https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11-specifica... And no 1st gen AMD Ryzen supported: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/design/minimum/supported/windows-11-supported-amd-processors https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/design/min...

jptech 5y ago

Also, Aero is back! Everything looks transparent.

cdrini 5y ago

Do you have a citation for this? > * A Microsoft account and internet connectivity is required for Windows 11 Home setup I saw a video of Linus tech tips taking the leaked demo for a spin, and it looked like there was an option to use it with a local only account: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odZSCdNTFPw&t=305s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odZSCdNTFPw&t=305s

jtvjan 5y ago
That's Windows 11 Pro, not Home.
cdrini 5y ago
Update: it does appear to be the case that Windows 11 home edition will need a Microsoft account :( src: another Linus video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFCeCPpfnhQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFCeCPpfnhQ

Wowfunhappy 5y ago

> * TPM 2.0 and UEFI are hardware requirements. No legacy BIOS compatibility at all? Couldn’t you use Clover? OS X doesn’t have BIOS compatibility either, which is a major reason Clover exists.

citysurrounded 5y ago

The only things I wanted on this list and honestly could've lived without are DirectX improvements and 40% smaller windows updates, lol