Windows 11 vs. Windows 10: Finally, time to upgrade?

The most recent version of Windows, Windows 11, is among the greatest ones to date. Yet, it has a lot of similarities with Windows 10 inside. Should you update to the most recent Windows OS? That is the question we have answered by a side-by-side comparison of Windows 11 and Windows 10.

We will list the main distinctions between Windows 11 and Windows 10, including the modifications brought about by the Windows 11 2H22 Update. Be aware that Microsoft no longer offers brand-new Windows 10licensess before continuing. You must upgrade directly to Windows 11 if you’re coming from an earlier version of Windows.

Windows 11 vs. Windows 10: what’s new

Despite the fact that Windows 11 only reskins Windows 10, the operating system has a tonne of brand-new features. There are some distinguishing features, such as compatibilitywithr with Android applications on Windows 11, as well as relatively minor modifications, like a redesigned Start menu and Taskbar.

Windows 10 vs. Windows 11: Every big difference in the OS

Design and interface

Windows 11 gives the OS a completely new, more Mac-like interface. It has a straightforward layout with rounded corners and pastel colors. Together with the Taskbar, the recognizable Start menu also relocates to the screen’scentere. Nevertheless, if you’d like, you may relocate them back to the left, where they are in Windows 10.

Android app integration

Now, Windows 11 users may download Android apps from the Amazon Appstore via the Microsoft Store. (There were a few methods, such as if you owned a Samsung Galaxy phone, to access Android applications on Windows 10; but, this will make it native.) Windows fans have been waiting for this for a long time, and it represents another step toward the fusion of mobile and laptop machines.

Better design and features

Microsoft makes a significant cosmetic change with Windows 11. Microsoft’s new operating system places the Start menu and Taskbar in the middle of the screen. This gives it a somewhat more macOS and ChromeOS-like appearance. Yet, if you choose, you may still reposition it to the left.

We have bad news, though, if you wish to pin your Taskbar to the right or left of the screen. While the Taskbar only remains on the bottom in Windows 11, you can no longer do that natively. But, you may modify it if you wish to use paid third-party applications like Start11.

In addition to the primary design update, Windows 11 also has new program icons, rounded edges on windows, and exclusive Windows 11 Fluent Emojis. The 3D emoticons Microsoft teased at the first introduction of Windows 11 are yet to appear.

There are several minor feature upgrades as well, such as the ability to modify your notification settings for a certain period when working in Focus mode and live captions for your browser.

Microsoft has placed a lot of emphasis on File Explorer. The most recent version includes tabs, and according to reports, Microsoft is planning a significant revamp of File Explorer for 2023. OneDrive and Microsoft services are reportedly integrated into File Explorer as a result of thithesevamps, which also introduce a new information menu when you choose a file or folder.

Start menu and Taskbar

The Start menu and the Taskbar are the two most noticeable alterations between Windows 11 and Windows 10.

With Windows 11, the Start menu is a little bit more straightforward. You only see a static list of applications, followed by a list of your frequently used documents. Importantly, Windows 11 does away with Live Tiles, giving the Start menu a considerably cleaner appearance.

With Windows 11, Microsoft deleted the Cortana features and reduced the search box on the taskbar to an icon. Microsoft Teams now has it’s own Taskbar, which is a feature of Windows 11. If you don’t use Teams, you may choose to remove the symbol.

Moving the weather in the Taskbar to the left side of the screen is the other significant adjustment. In Windows 10, this was known as News and Interests, but in Windows 11, Widgets will take its place (read our roundup of the best Windows 11 widgets). You will still view the weather, along with other information like traffic, your preferred news, sports scores, and more.

Virtual Desktops

Also, Windows 11 adds Virtual Desktops, which let you keep distinct desktop workspaces for work, gaming, or other purposes.

Gaming upgrades

With Windows 11, PC gaming should also get better. DirectStorage, one of the newest PC gaming technologies, will nonetheless be supported by Windows 10, according to Microsoft. To speed up the processing of game data, DirectStorage makes use of the contemporary storage technology found in gaming Computers. Windows 11 will also have auto HDR (high dynamics range), which should improve the colors in many games.

In many DirectX 11 and newer games—even those without HDR settings—Auto HDR improves the color gamut when a user plays on an HDR display. Windows 11 will also contain Xbox Game Pass.

Microsoft Store

With Windows 11, Microsoft updated the Microsoft Store to make it simpler for consumers to locate things like applications and movies. Users of Windows 11 and Windows 10 will be able to download every Windows program through the Microsoft Store.

The Microsoft Store will be updated separately from Windows 11 because it is a Universal Windows Platform app. In autumn, any user of Windows 10 and 11 will be able to download the new Microsoft Store app.

Android apps integration

The design of the app stores in Windows 11 and Windows 10 is the same. The Amazon Appstore, however, offers compatibility for Android apps in the Windows 11 app store. You should read our article on how to install Android applications on Windows 11 because just a few Android apps are supported.

Microsoft has added additional non-Universal Windows Platform (Non-UWP) app categories to Windows 11 compared to Windows 10. You can still use UWP, but now you can also use Win32 applications like Firefox and the Epic Games Store.

Improved gaming features

Windows 11 is the greatest Windows operating system for gamers. The most recent verversionsndows 11 includes technologies like Auto HDR and DirectStorage, which will speed up game loading to under one second,d and feature enhancements for playing games in windowed mode.

DirectStorage is one of these capabilities that isarelso accessible in Windows 10. Windows 11 is the best platform for gamers right now, especially now that some of the performance concerns have been resolved. Microsoft has made it obvious that gaming is a significant emphasis for Windows 11. The fact that so many PC gamers are upgrading to Windows 11 is encouraging.

Microsoft acknowledged that there were some gaming-related difficulties with the 2022 Windows 11 update, notably with Nvidia GPUs. If you’ve put off updating because of this problem, you may do it right away without experiencing any performance hiccups.

Snap Layouts and multitasking

The multitasking enhancements in Windows 11 are unique; Windows 10 will not receive a backport of them. Using Snap Layouts in Windows 11, you may arrange your windows and save them to the taskbar to improve multitasking and system efficiency. Although Windows 10 offers this, Windows 11 makes it simpler to access Snap Layouts and offers additional ccucustomizing optionsfter its debut, Microsoft has also added more features to Snap Layouts.

Windows 11 also addresses a significant problem with multi-monitor installations. When you unplug a monitor and then put it back in, Windows 11 will remember how your windows were configured on the external display and save them in that configuration. One of the most irksome issues with Windows 10 that Windows 11 eventually fixes is this one.

Enhanced tablet mode

The standard tablet mode in Windows 10 causes the Start menu to appear in full-screen on your computer. Windows 11 does away with this. Instead, Windows 11 operates more like an iPad, making things easier to touch when you change your device to a tablet. This features brand-new gestures that are not present in Windows 10 for launching the Start menu, closing windows, and more.

Windows 11 also has enhanced pen capabilities. Windows 11 adds support for up to four app shortcuts using your pen in addition to continuing to support Whiteboard for collaborative visual work.

Windows 11 also improves speech navigation, enabling you to use your voice to perform just much everything you would need, including opening programs, entering keyboard and mouse inputs, controlling the operating system, and more. In essence, Windows 11 enables voice control of the System in its entirety.

Performance

If performance is important to you, Windows 11 is fantastic. In a YouTube video, Microsoft discussed the benefits and performance enhancements in Windows 11.

Microsoft claims that Windows 11 puts a lot of effort into memory management to give preference to the proprogramndows that are open and active in the forefront. They should receive more CPU power as a result of this than from other system resources. Also, Windows 11 keeps certain data in Memory while your computer rests, making it 25% quicker to get up from sleep than Windows 10.

Since its debut, Microsoft has implemented performance upgrades. For instance, a February upgrade to Windows 11 increased SSD (solid-state drive) performance.

Although Windows 11 is faster than Windows 10, the differences in real-world use are negligible. Windows 11 has several enhancements that let it operate quicker on less powerful machines, but Windows 10 still offers adequate performance.

Collaboration and remote work

While Windows 10 and Windows 11 both support remote work, Windows 11’s collaborative features are significantly superior. It offers features like backdrop blur, automated framing, and eye contact adjustments for meetings that Windows 10 does not.

Microsoft Teams offers some AI-powered capabilities, albeit some of them can be reliant on your computer’s hardware.

Should you upgrade to Windows 11?

The most popular option for most users is Windows 11, which is the most recent version of Windows. Nevertheless, some of its new capabilities also come with significant restrictions that make some updates more difficult, particularly on older Systems.

Upgrading to Windows 11

Although upgrading to Windows 11 is a straightforward process, if you’ve been using Windows 10 up until now, you might be wary. The majority of Computers can upgrade from Windows 10 for free with a straightforward Windows update, as we outline in our tutorial on how to install Windows 11. To avoid rogue Windows 11 installs that may appear in search results, we strongly advise using this way.

Microsoft has finished rolling out Windows 11, so any PC with compatible hardware may update without charge. After upgrading, you have just ten days to downgrade from Windows 11 to Windows 10. To downgrade after that, you’ll have to perform a clean install (delete all of your data). If you’re the technical kind, you may also try a low-risk dual boot with Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Microsoft deleted several functions that were included in Windows 10 even though Windows 11 has a lot of new features. A few proprogramse also eliminated, along with the ability to sync your desktop background, Internet Explorer, and the Math Input window. These programs include Skype, Paint 3D, OneNote for Windows 10, and 3D Viewer. Yet those are still available in the shop. If you’re worried, Microsoft offers a complete list.

System requirements and compatibility

The main difficulty in upgrading is the need for Windows 11. You will require TPM 2.0 compatibility on your system and a modern CPU from Intel 8th generation or AMD Ryzen 2000 (or newer). With recent Computers, TPM essentially functions as a hardware security processor. TPM 2.0 is supported by almost all desktops and laptops, but if you constructed your Computer, be sure to check our list of TPM-compatible motherboards. This limitation does not apply to bespoke Computers running Windows 10.

Although theoretically possible, we don’t advise installing Windows 11 on incompatible hardware. You could no longer receive essential security updates from Microsoft if your PC isn’t certified for Windows 11. (though Microsoft has rolled out Windows 11 updates for unsupported hardware since launch).

There’s a strong probability that Windows 11 won’t work on a machine that is more than four years old. It may make the difference between it and Windows 10 in the end.

Support and update cycle

Windows 11 abandoned Windows 10’s semi-annual release cycle in favor of a solitary annual update. It is identical to macOS. Microsoft has confirmed that Windows 10 would only receive yearly upgrades and that it will continue to support Windows 10 through the year 2025. Smaller feature rollouts for Windows 11 happen all year long in addition to the significant yearly release.

The most recent Windows 11 2022 Update establishes the style for these yearly releases. It has a tonne of features, especially when contrasted to the patchy updates that came with Windows 10.

Anything from minor changes to the Start menu’s user interface to whole new applications like Clipchamp is included in this release. Some people consider the accessibility features to be essential, and certain key Windows 10 features, such as folders in the Start menu, have finally been carried over to Windows 11. It resembles Windows 11 in many aspects in the manner that it ought to have come out last year.

Windows 10 will continue to be supported by Microsoft until October 14, 2025. But with the start of 2023, it ceased promoting new Windows 10 licenses. Hence, if you already own a copy of Windows 10, you will continue to get support for the ensuing two years. However, you must immediately update to Windows 11 if you wish to replace an older version.

Bugs

While the much older Windows 10 is more reliable, Windows 11 has experienced its fair share of issues. Yet Microsoft has responded quickly to challenges with its most recent OS. In addition to a flaw that would significantly impair SSD speeds, we’ve observed one that causes File Explorer to produce thousands of empty folders.

Microsoft has advised against installing one of its Windows 11 upgrades, and the operating system frequently encounters problems with AMD CPUs. All of these issues have been resolved by Microsoft, but even though it fixes issues as they arise, it’s reasonable to expect that Windows 11 will have more faults than Windows 10.

One issue with Windows 11 is still present, though, and it has to do with memory leaks. We have confirmed and tested that when you launch several instances of File Explorer in Windows 11, more RAM may be used. When you close the File Explorer, the RAM is never released, and the system uses more resources. Although it’s not a widespread issue and hasn’t been in Windows 10 for very long, this is nonetheless a noteworthy issue.

We’ve just recently discussed a few Windows 11 problems, but the operating system has a fantastic feature for tracking defects. New issues may constantly be reported by Windows users through the Feedback Hub application. You may view all the minor Windows 11 issues that we are unable to include in a single post by sorting by New or Top. Therefore, if you’re truly interested in learning what’s going on there, look for Windows 11 feedback in the app on your Windows 10 Laptop.

Is Windows 11 worth it?

For the majority of users, Windows 11 is worth the update. Many new features, performance enhancements, and design modifications are included. It often garners more attention than Windows 10 as the most recent Windows operating system.

Upgrading to Windows 11 carries minimal risk as well. You may simply remove Windows 11 and return to Windows 10 with minor preparation. And now that the most recent version is ready, trying it out makes more sense than ever.