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| title | chunk | source | category | tags | date_saved | instance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Features new to Windows 11 | 1/3 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Features_new_to_Windows_11 | reference | science, encyclopedia | 2026-05-05T08:03:02.179596+00:00 | kb-cron |
Windows 11 is the current major release of Microsoft's Windows NT operating system. Released on October 5, 2021, Windows 11 succeeds the previous major release, Windows 10.
Major updates introduced with the product include a redesigned user interface, new productivity and collaboration features, and updates to security and accessibility.
As a current release, the operating system receives annual feature enhancements, such as the addition of artificial intelligence features like Microsoft Copilot which launched in 2023.
== Windows Shell ==
Fluent Design System: Updates the Fluent Design System, a design language introduced by Microsoft in 2017, are featured in Windows 11. According to Microsoft, the design of Windows 11 is "effortless, calm, personal, familiar, complete, and coherent." The redesign focuses on simplicity, ease of use, and flexibility, addressing some of the deficiencies of Windows 10. Most interfaces in Windows 11 feature rounded geometry, refreshed iconography, new typography, and a refreshed color palette. In addition, translucency and shadows are made more prevalent throughout the system. Windows 11 also introduces "Mica", a new opaque Material that is tinted with the color of the desktop wallpaper. Start Menu: The Start menu has been significantly redesigned in Windows 11, adhering to the principles of the updated Fluent Design System. The menu has now been moved to the center by default, with an option to move it back to the left side. The Live Tiles feature introduced in Windows 8 is replaced by a set of pinned apps and a new cloud-powered "Recommended" section that shows recently opened files and documents from any location, including a PC, a smartphone, and OneDrive. The new Start menu also includes a search box. Taskbar: The Taskbar has also been center-aligned, and now includes new animations for pinning, rearranging, minimizing, and switching apps on the Taskbar. The buttons can still be moved to the left-hand corner as in previous versions of Windows. Notification Center & Quick Settings: The Action Center from Windows 10 has been replaced by a Notification Center and a Quick Settings menu, both accessible from the lower-right corner of the Taskbar. The Notification Center contains all the user's notifications and a full-month calendar, while the Quick Settings menu lets the user manage common PC settings quickly and easily like Volume, Brightness, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Focus Assist. Directly above the Quick Settings menu, the user can see media playback information when watching a video on platforms such as YouTube, or when listening to music in apps like Spotify. File Explorer: The File Explorer on Windows 11 has been refreshed with the Fluent Design System and the Ribbon interface has been replaced with a new command bar with a revamped user interface and a Mica background. It also introduces revamped context menus with rounded corners, larger text, and Acrylic. App developers will also be able to extend the new context menus. Themes: In addition to new default themes on Windows 11 for both Light and Dark mode, it also includes four new additional themes. Windows 11 also adds new high-contrast themes for people with visual impairments. Sounds: Windows 11 introduces a new set of system sounds. The sounds are slightly different depending on whether the theme is set to light or dark mode. In addition, a new Windows startup sound replaces the one used since Windows Vista. Widgets: Windows 11 adds a new taskbar flyout named "Widgets", which displays a panel with Microsoft Start, a news aggregator with personalized stories and content (expanding upon the "news and interests" panel introduced in later builds of Windows 10). The user can customize the panel by adding or removing widgets, rearranging, resizing, and personalizing the content.
== User interface (UI) improvements == Windows 11 updates several system dialog boxes such as the alert for when the battery is running low. The taskbar previews have been updated to reflect Windows 11's new visual design. The hidden icons flyout on the lower-right corner of the taskbar has also been redesigned to match Windows 11's visuals.
== Multitasking == Snap Layouts: Users can now hover over a window's maximize button to view available snap layouts, and then click a zone to snap the window. They will then be guided to snap windows to the rest of the zones within the layout using a guided snap assist. There is a set of four available snap layouts on smaller screens. Snap Groups: Snap groups are a way to easily switch back to a set of snapped windows, which are stored in the grouped app's taskbar icons. Virtual Desktops: Users can now reorder and customize the background for each of their desktops. They can also hover over the Task View button on the Taskbar to quickly access their desktops or to create a new one. Docking: When the user undocks a laptop, the windows on the monitor will be minimized, and when the laptop is redocked to a monitor, Windows will put everything where it was before.