Published 04/06/2024
Windows 11 is the most recent version of Windows available. It’s also one of the best versions of Windows ever released by Microsoft, with several key operating functionalities and performance improvements that build on previous releases.
In its original form, released in 2021, many users questioned what made Windows 11 different to Windows 10, owing to its similar operating functions. However, Windows 11 benefits from several distinguished features that set it apart from Windows 10, especially as it’s evolved over the years with several optimisation updates.
Despite its additional features, some users are still on the fence about upgrading. In this article, we’ll walk you through the key differences between Windows 11 and Windows 10 – examining new AI features, enhanced tools, design changes and performance improvements.
We’ll also touch upon some of the drawbacks of Windows 11 compared to Windows 10 and any removed features and potential bugs that may impact certain users. As Windows 10 support is only continuing until 2025, we’ll help you decide if it’s time to finally make the switch to Windows 11.
WHAT IS WINDOWS 11?
Windows 11 is the latest major release and the newest version of the Windows operating system available. It was released by Microsoft on October 5th, 2021, but has evolved considerably since, with several subsequent updates having been made available.
You can upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 for free, so long as your PC meets the system requirements for Windows 11 . The operating system is superior to previous Windows releases, including Windows 10, across several key performance, productivity and entertainment functionalities.
NEW WINDOWS 11 FEATURES
DESIGN
Windows 11 still has the classic Windows design feel, but with a refreshed more modern aesthetic. Perhaps the most significant design change is the new Start Menu and Taskbar, both of which are centred, appearing more like macOS or ChromeOS.
If you’re still a big fan of the left-aligned Taskbar, you can switch back in settings. However, you’re no longer able to pin the Taskbar to the left or right side of the screen without installing a third-party app.
The Start Menu features a far simpler design, only showing a list of static apps and recently opened documents, with Live Tiles removed. Within the Taskbar, the search function appears only as an icon, tidying up the aesthetic considerably. Cortana has also been removed.
Another notable design update is a new layout for File Explorer, along with smaller features such as rounded corners on windows, a refreshed app icon layout and Windows 11 exclusive Emojis.
PERFORMANCE
Compared to Windows 10, Windows 11 offers some significant performance improvements. Foreground applications and programs are favoured in terms of memory management and CPU, resulting in more efficient use of system resources and faster load speeds.
Windows 11 also benefits from faster boot speeds of up to 25% compared to Windows 10, a welcome benefit for anyone who suffers from a device with a slow wake speed. Windows 11 also overall feels smoother and faster, especially evident on older devices.
As with all Windows operating systems, Windows 11 continues to benefit from regular updates with small improvements being made to performance functionalities all the time.
NEW AI FEATURES: WINDOWS COPILOT
Another striking feature of Windows 11 is the slow rollout of a new AI assistant, Windows Copilot. This new assistant makes use of Microsoft’s Bing Chat, building it into your desktop so that Copilot is available everywhere in the OS. While Copilot will be available on Windows 10 eventually, it’ll be in a much more limited capacity. If you want the latest and greatest in AI, Windows 11 is where it’s at.
In addition to Copilot, Windows 11 includes features like Snap Layouts and Snap Groups that employ AI to remember and restore your frequently used Windows configurations. These allow for enhanced productivity and an overall smoother user experience.
Windows 11 is set to see more considerable advancements in AI over the next few years, with Microsoft having made clear its big plans for expanding its AI features and functionalities.
IMPROVED COLLABORATION AND PRODUCTIVITY TOOLS
Windows 11 features Microsoft Teams as a built-in integration. This offers a far more seamless experience using Teams for collaboration, as it’s readily available from the Taskbar, and offers a more streamlined integration across other Microsoft tools.
Video calls also now benefit from new AI-powered features for video calls, such as eye contact adjustments in meetings, automatic framing and background blur.
ENHANCED GAMING FEATURES
Windows 11 is by far the best version of Windows for gaming. Supporting the introduction of DirectStorage has allowed for much faster load times in supported games, reducing it to less than a two seconds. DirectStorage also runs on Windows 10, but it’s optimised on Windows 11 for even greater performance. For enhanced graphics on HDR-compatible displays, Windows 11 also supports AutoHDR. As the name implies, this technology automatically converts games from standard dynamic range (SDR) to high dynamic range (HDR), and the effect can be transformative.
More recent updates of Windows 11 have also seen enhanced refresh rate support, which allows for smoother gameplay across multiple monitors, and optimisations for running games in windowed mode.
WINDOWS 11 VS 10: WHAT’S CHANGED?
Feature |
Windows 10 |
Windows 11 |
Taskbar and Start Menu |
Left-aligned Live Tiles Search function expanded across the Taskbar |
Centre-aligned by default No Live Tiles with a Simplified Start Menu design Search function is reduced to a Taskbar icon No pinning of Taskbar to left and right sides available |
Snap Layouts |
Basic snapping |
Enhanced Snap Layouts Enhanced window grouping |
Widgets |
No dedicated panel or section |
New, simplified, enhanced panel |
DirectStorage |
Available, but in a limited capacity |
Available |
Collaboration tools |
Microsoft Teams basic integration is available |
In-built Microsoft Teams for enhanced team collaboration and tool integration |
AI features |
Available, but in a limited capacity Basic AI features |
Copilot available for AI assistant across OS Enhanced AI features for improved productivity |
Security |
Updates unavailable as of 2025 |
Continual security updates and fixes are available |
App store |
Available |
Available with optimised design |
Touch and tablet mode |
Basic tablet mode is available Basic pen and voice recognition Taskbar on/off function available |
Enabled by default on touchscreen devices Larger touch targets Larger visual cues Enhanced voice recognition and pen mode Taskbar on/off function removed |
Performance |
Good performance overall |
Enhanced performance with more efficient memory management and system resource management Improved boot speeds |
HOW LONG WILL WINDOWS 10 BE SUPPORTED?
New licences for Windows 10 are no longer available for purchase. Microsoft has also announced that Windows 10 end of life will be October 14th, 2025.
That means that Windows 10 will only continue to be supported with bug fixes and security patches until this date. Updates are crucial for ensuring the continued smooth function of the operating system.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I DON’T UPDATE WINDOWS?
You can continue to use Windows 10 safely up until October 14th, 2025. Even though your operating system will still be functional after that date, it will become vulnerable to any new malware and virus threats, as Microsoft will no longer be releasing security updates for Windows 10.
In addition to your device becoming vulnerable, you may also miss out on key performance, feature and tool updates that come with Windows 11 updates. Future apps and software may also become incompatible with Windows 10.
WHAT ARE THE SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS FOR WINDOWS 11?
To install Windows 11 you’ll need to meet the system requirements for the download. This includes a recent processor from Intel 8th-generation or an AMD Ryzen 2000 processor, in addition to TPM 2.0 on your device. The majority of modern laptops and PCs will support TPM 2.0. You can check to see if your PC is compatible with Windows 11 by downloading Microsoft’s ‘PC Health Check’ app.
SUMMARY: IS WINDOWS 11 WORTH GETTING?
There is no question that Windows 11 offers superior performance to Windows 10, owing to its striking new features such as Windows Copilot AI assistant and improved memory management.
For gamers, this improved performance is certainly considerable, due to the inclusion of DirectStorage for enhanced game loading speeds.
Additionally for professionals using laptops for business, or those who require multiple windows open at any one time, advanced Snap Layouts, enhanced tablet mode features and streamlined collaboration with built-in Teams, also give Windows 11 a considerable edge.
In terms of user experience, Windows 11 also offers a compelling upgrade with its more modern aesthetic and overall smoother running, including reduced boot times.
However, if you’re set in your ways with Windows 10, hesitant to upgrade because of the removal of certain features or running a device that’s currently incompatible with the system requirements of Windows 11, Windows 10 will continue to be supported until October 2025.
As with any fairly new operating system, Windows 11 is not free from its own set of stability issues and bugs, however as the system is continually optimised with subsequent upgrades, it offers a powerful new system for any Windows user.