What's New in Windows 11
Modified on: Mon, Aug 12 2024 7:18 AMNavigate in Windows 11
Windows 11 is the latest upgrade to Microsoft Windows that has replaced Windows 10.
There are many enhancements that come along with Windows 11:
NEW DESIGN
Windows 11 features a new design with a centered Start menu and Taskbar. It features a clean design with rounded corners and pastel shades.
The Taskbar
All the icons are now centered on the taskbar, instead of lined up from left to right. The Start button is now the leftmost icon on the centered taskbar.
Personalize the Taskbar
• Right-click on the Taskbar and choose Taskbar settings to access personalization options.
• Click the downward arrow to open more options.
The System Tray has been modified in Windows 11. The Action Center has been split into two separate flyouts: one for notifications and the other for quick settings.
The Start Menu
The Start menu no longer includes live tiles (square icons). Instead, the Start menu shows two rows of icons along its top half (Pinned), with icons for frequently used apps on the bottom half (Recommended). Once you start working, the Recommended section will begin populating with your frequently used apps.
• Click All apps for a full listing of apps.
• Right-click on the app and select Pin to taskbar to pin an app to the Taskbar.
• To add additional apps that are not in the Pinned section, click All Apps
• Right-click on the app and select Pin to Start to add an app to the Pinned section of the Start menu.
You can search for a specific app, file, setting, etc. using the Search tool.
• Click Search in the Taskbar and begin typing.
As with many other applications in Windows 11, File Explorer has been updated with new functionality. You can look at different files in different locations at the same time by using multiple tabs in File Explorer.
• Create a new tab by clicking the + button and delete a tab by clicking the x button.
Right-Click Context Menu
Perform basic actions on files more easily with the modern right-click context menu. When you right-click on a file or folder, there is now a list of icons for quick access at the top of the context menu: Cut, Copy, Rename, Share, and Delete.
• Select Show more options to access the legacy context menu.
It wouldn't be a Windows 11 feature update without changes to the Windows Widgets Board. The release is expected to include more customization options for the board, including new layouts that allow users to choose between having widgets separated from the news feed, mixed with the news feed, and no news feed at all. That means Microsoft will finally let users disable the MSN feed in the Widgets Board.
Paint is getting dark mode after 37 years on the market. The app initially debuted with Windows 1.0, and while Windows has only had dark mode since 2015, it's good to finally see Paint joining the party with its own dark mode.
Microsoft unveiled dark mode in Paint alongside the original Windows 11 launch version in 2021 but didn't ship it until now. The app also has an updated zooming functionality, with a more incremental drop-down menu with custom percentages and smooth zooming.
The app is also getting new features in the form of layers, and AI powered background removal and generative content. It can now also handle transparent PNGs! Finally!
• Click the Start menu, click the Power button, and choose from the provided options: Sleep, Shut down, and Restart.
