Microsoft has launched Windows 11. You undoubtedly have questions on what it can price, the best way to improve, and extra. We may help!

We’ve supplied a listing of frequent Windows 11 questions and the solutions as we be taught them. We’ll replace this record of continuously requested questions (FAQ) on Windows 11 as we be taught extra.

What is Windows 11?

Windows 11 is the identify of the subsequent main revision to Windows 10, completely different sufficient that it justified a brand new model identify and never simply one other characteristic replace.  Microsoft launched Windows 11 on June 24, and started shipping Windows 11 on Oct. 5. Here’s our Windows 11 review.

When will I have the ability to get Windows 11?

Windows 11 was made out there to Windows Insiders someday on the week of June 28, and was made out there to the general public on Oct. 5. However, Windows 10-to-Windows 11 upgrades will have to wait until 2022, in accordance with Microsoft.

If you’re questioning whether or not you’ll have the ability to decide out of Windows 11—the reply is, surprisingly, sure. Microsoft seems to be putting some fairly substantial hardware requirements on Windows 11, and in case your PC doesn’t meet them, you received’t be allowed to improve, both. (Don’t fear, you may keep on Windows 10 till Microsoft retires it in 2025.)

How do I get Windows 11?

Here’s how to get Windows 11, which now contains standalone ISO recordsdata, too. As a associated story, right here’s how to upgrade to Windows 11 — you may select from Windows Update, downloading an ISO file, and extra.

Will Windows 11 be free?

Some of you could be questioning what Windows 11 will price. We’d count on the worth for a standalone model of the working system to be across the present worth of Windows 10:  $110 for Windows 11 Home, and $150 for Windows 11 Pro. (Here’s how to get Windows 10 for even cheaper.) Weirdly, you continue to can’t purchase a standalone Windows 11 license at press time, although you may upgrade to Windows 11 without cost. Just follow this Windows 11 upgrade checklist.

Will there be completely different variations of Windows 11?

Microsoft refers to Windows 10 Home and Windows 10 Pro as completely different editions of Windows 10, and sure, there’s Windows 11 Home and Windows 11 Pro. There’s even a new Windows 11 SE specifically for schools.

Microsoft may also launch a Windows 11 model of Windows 10 S, referred to as Windows 11 Home in S Mode.

How massive is Windows 11?

Windows 11’s “size” will fluctuate, relying upon what you have already got in your PC. That means that you could be obtain incremental components of Windows 11 over time, particularly in case you’re a part of the Windows Insider program. The brief reply, although, is about 5.4GB — that was the entire dimension of the Windows 11 Insider ISO file we downloaded, and we’d count on the ultimate model to be in that neighborhood.

Some of the apps inside Windows (Sticky Notes, for instance) will solely be downloaded as “stubs”: shortcuts, if you’ll, to the total app. The first time you launch Sticky Notes on Windows 11, the app will shortly obtain and set up.

Monthly patch updates can be smaller, too: about 40 p.c or so, in accordance with Microsoft.

When will Windows 11 get up to date?

Windows 11 will obtain patches and common characteristic updates periodically, most likely not a lot completely different than at this time. But Microsoft plans to scale back the main characteristic replace cadence down to at least one per 12 months, reasonably than two. Microsoft will replace Windows 11 Home and Pro yearly, within the fall.

How lengthy will Windows 11 be supported?

Microsoft has stated that every present characteristic replace can be supported for 2 years. Updating your PC to the most recent model of Windows 11 will merely reset that help clock, in fact. Essentially, in case you frequently replace your PC, your PC will proceed to be supported.

What’s new for Windows 11?

Our review of Windows 11 particulars the main options of Windows 11: the brand new Taskbar, the brand new Start menu, and the brand new Widgets menu, for starters. But our followup tales element the Windows 11 features we didn’t expect, in addition to among the under-the-hood hidden features of Windows 11 that you must learn about.

What does Windows 11 imply for Windows 10?

Microsoft has all the time stated that it plans to end support for Windows 10 in 2025, and that’s nonetheless the case. As a free substitute for Windows 10, your PC will improve to Windows 11 robotically. If it doesn’t meet the {hardware} necessities, your PC will stay on Windows 10 till {hardware} help expires. At that time, you must actually improve each your PC’s {hardware} in addition to the working system.

What about that Microsoft pledge that Windows 10 could be the “last Windows?” As it seems, that wasn’t exactly the case. We nonetheless imagine, nonetheless, that Microsoft will hold updating and patching Windows, no matter it’s referred to as. Windows is simply Windows.

Can I roll again from Windows 11 to Windows 10?

Yes, you may, and you’ll have ten days to do so—plus somewhat extra.

What are Windows’s 11 system necessities?

Microsoft periodically updates the minimal {hardware} necessities for its working system. (Here are the system requirements for Windows 10, which embody a 1GHz CPU or higher, 2GB of RAM, and so forth.) 

Windows 11’s hardware requirements are the brand new working system’s most dramatic change. You’ll want a minimum of an Eighth-gen Intel Core CPU or Ryzen 2000, and older processors are out of luck. Windows 11 additionally requires a Trusted Platform Module (TPM), particularly a TPM 2.0 module that’s usually built-in into the CPU. Here’s why Windows 11 requires a TPM, in accordance with Microsoft. 

Can PCs that don’t meet the {hardware} necessities run Windows 11?

Unsupported PCs will have the ability to use Windows 11, unofficially, by downloading a Windows 11 ISO file. We clarify what we all know of running Windows 11 on supported PCs, right here. But there’s a catch: Microsoft won’t provide updates to unsupported Windows 11 PCs, and the corporate has booted them out of the Windows Insider program for Windows 11, too. So sure, you’ll have the ability to run Windows 11 on unsupported {hardware}, however on a really non permanent foundation.

How quick is Windows 11?

If you’re questioning whether Windows 11 will slow down your PC, nicely—it does, barely. But a latest construct additionally lets you tweak the efficiency and make Windows 11 faster. 

How will Windows 11 have an effect on PC gaming?

We’ve tested Windows 11 as a gaming OS, and you’ll find your solutions in that story. We’ve additionally carried out a deep dive on the Auto HDR feature, a part of Windows 11 that may assist older video games look even higher.

Are there any new apps for Windows 11?

Microsoft hasn’t introduced any new apps for Windows 11, however these core Windows 10 apps will be updated for Windows 11.

Widgets are primarily Windows 11’s reply to Live Tiles. And no, you may’t take away Widgets. But you may flip off the Taskbar shortcut to Widgets, which is nearly the identical factor. Microsoft’s Widgets are actually being powered by Start, Microsoft’s new brand for its news feed. 

Can I run Windows 11 on a Mac?

A daring selection, however sure. Version 17.0 of Parallels Desktop lets you run Windows 11 on a Mac by way of virtualization. Macworld UK has more.

Will there be a Windows 11 Mobile?

Sadly, virtually definitely not.

Updated at 8 AM on November 10 with further particulars, new questions, and new solutions.