Windows 11 vs Windows 10 | What's the Difference Between Windows 10 and 11
The US group Microsoft has presented important innovations in its Windows 11 operating system update. When will it be available? What should it cost? And what changes compared to Windows 10?
What changes in Windows 11 compared to Windows 10?
The difference to Windows 10 is primarily a cosmetic one. The new design is somewhat reminiscent of macOS from Apple or ChromeOS from Google - i.e. the two desktop operating systems of the competition. The bloated start menu of Windows 10 is purged and history. The live tiles have disappeared - where, for example, the weather or news used to be displayed. And: The start button and the most important programs are now no longer on the left side of the lower image bar but in the middle.
Is this now more than just a "visual update"? What changes in the technical inner workings of Windows 11?
Those who switch from Windows 10 to Windows 11 will not notice any major differences. The icons in the file explorer are new and much better designed. The windows no longer have any corners - they are now rounded. Nevertheless, there are also changes in the "engine compartment". But first, you have to believe the announcements from Microsoft. Because a preview version should only come out in a few days. In the future, updates should be smaller, for example, and they should be able to be installed much faster in the background than was previously the case - where you sometimes had to wait half an hour for the update to download and then have to wait longer for it was installed.
What new features are there?
In the file explorer, the icons are now smaller and more beautifully designed. There is a mute button to switch off the microphone centrally for all applications. This is pretty useful when you're in a video conference and maybe have several apps open - then the microphone is disconnected centrally. Another new feature is that if you work with external monitors on your notebook or have two monitors connected to your desktop computer, the applications are opened again exactly where you arranged them before switching off or shutting down. This is also a significant improvement over Windows 10.
Can you now also install Android apps? What are the advantages?
You can use it to jump back and forth between mobile phone and desktop because you can then suddenly install the apps that you know from Android phones on Windows. Some apps are only available for Android and not for Windows. So this is a practical matter. There is only one catch: iPhone users, i.e. the Apple world, do not benefit from this because Apple is still sealing off its apps and hiding it behind an artificial wall in its app store, so to speak.
What is the strategy behind this?
There are currently several competition proceedings and court cases pending against Google and Apple. One allegation is that they seal off their app stores in their mobile phone operating systems and do not allow any competition there. Microsoft says: We have nothing against the competition. Windows 11, for example, will integrate Amazon's Android store. But one is also open to others. You can also install Google Android apps. Microsoft is positioning itself very cleverly and says: We do not isolate ourselves. We want to be a comprehensive platform. Microsoft is thus speculating that it will also attract more users in the long term.
What is the schedule for that Launch?
A first preview version of Windows 11 for developers should come out in the coming weeks. Anyone can install it at home. But you should still be careful because it is probably not running smoothly yet. The new version should be available for download before Christmas.
What does an update cost?
If you have a Windows 10 system, you can upgrade for free. There is a charge for users of Windows 7 to upgrade. That will probably cost around 100 euros - but the prices are not yet known.
