Instead, Microsoft is making a push toward moving users from Windows 10, for which support is ending later this year, to Windows 11. At CES, it even proclaimed 2025 as the year of the Windows 11 PC refresh. Windows 11’s speech-to-text feature has improved remarkably in recent years and now uses machine learning algorithms to correct its guesses and punctuation.
As a general-purpose agent—simply describe the task you want to complete in your own words, and the agent will attempt to complete it by interacting with desktop and web applications. Below, we outline how to update from Windows 10 to Windows 11 by either using the built-in updating utility, or just starting from scratch with a completely new installation. Windows 11 is where Microsoft wants users to go, and it is where I have been forced to go! Windows 10 has been nagging me for months, but today is the day that I have to take action. So let’s go through the steps you need to take to upgrade your copy of Windows 10 to the latest version of Windows 11.
Delivering deeper and richer Windows 11 experiences, coming soon to Windows Insiders and Copilot Labs
It only makes sense that some legacy features no longer fit in with Windows 11’s new approach. A couple of conveniences I like (but are apparently hardly used) are gone. Aero Peek and Aero Shake are off by default in Windows 11, though you can enable them in Settings.
How to Upgrade From Windows 10 to Windows 11
It includes titles like Age of Empires IV, Halo Infinite, and Twelve Minutes. The app also enables Xbox Cloud Gaming, Microsoft’s streaming game platform. It puts PCs on par with Xbox consoles, though with users in control of how much hardware power they want to throw at their games. PCMag gaming senior analyst Jordan Minor goes so far as to declare that with Windows 11, Microsoft makes every PC an Xbox. You can also read about how to optimize your Windows 11 PC for gaming. Windows 11, regrettably, ditches a couple of its best tablet- and touch-friendly features.
Windows 11 on Tablets
Coming soon to Windows Insiders in Copilot Labs, we’re previewing an experimental capability for Copilot Actions to expand beyond the browser to take actions directly on local files in Windows. To get started, enable “Hey, Copilot” in the Settings of your Copilot app, then simply ask a question starting with “Hey, Copilot…”. You’ll see the Copilot microphone appear on your screen, along with a chime to indicate that Copilot is listening. Before taking any action, ensure that you have backups for all of your important software, files, images, and other data. As with any major upgrade, moving from Windows 10 to 11 carries at least a small risk of data loss. Another casualty is the Windows 10 Timeline, although the Start menu’s Recommended section still shows your recent documents and apps, and the Copilot+ PCs’ Recall feature could be considered a rebirth of Timeline.
Video Editing
Our hardware team ran benchmark tests for gaming and productivity performance on the same PC with Windows 10 and then again after upgrading to Windows 11. The team found that Windows 11 performs just as well or even better in terms of frame rates and has a https://p1nup.in/ slight edge in the productivity tests. In any case, you can still speed up Windows 11 with a few tricks if you notice it getting sluggish.
Of special note is the updated Clock app, which has a way to help you complete tasks. Its Focus Sessions feature integrates with Spotify to give you appropriate background music for your tasks. It also works with the To-Do app, so you can check off those tasks upon completion. Snap Layouts appear as options in the taskbar, so you can either open a group of apps or a single app. You also see layouts preserved when you open a group of apps on an external monitor multiple times. Snap Layouts also works on touch tablets, but using it isn’t particularly intuitive.
Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa and Tunisia all secured automatic qualification after finishing top of their respective groups. Venezuela, Chile and Peru miss out, while Bolivia enter a six-team play-off, which includes two from CONCACAF and one apiece from the AFC, CAF, CONMEBOL and OFC. World Cup 2026 qualifying is in full swing and several teams – including England and holders Argentina – have already booked their place at the expanded tournament. More recently, in the 24H2 update, Microsoft removed the WordPad app, Windows Mixed Reality, and the Tips app. In terms of raw performance on traditional synthetic benchmarks, the new OS is largely equal to Windows 10.
Final Thoughts
Each of the 12 group winners will secure their place, with the four remaining berths to be decided in the play-offs, involving the 12 pool runners-up and four best-ranked UEFA Nations League section winners. Other technical advances in Windows 11 include Dynamic Refresh, which can save laptop batteries by decreasing a screen’s high refresh rate when it’s not necessary. You can also connect an iPhone to Windows 11 for texting, notifications, and calling. The ability to transfer files between Windows and iPhones is also in the works. You can buy a Windows 11 Home license ($139.99) or Windows 11 Pro edition ($199.99) from the online Microsoft Store for a DIY PC or virtual machine.
File Explorer is a good example of Windows 11’s new look, particularly its left panel controls and colorful folder icons. Note the simplified ribbon along the top, which is far less busy and distracting than Windows 10’s File Explorer. The Gallery view shows recent photos you’ve added, no matter where they reside on the disk. Finally, the system can handle 7-Zip and RAR files without the need for third-party software.
This experience leverages existing Windows APIs to return your apps, files and settings, like the Windows Search experience and does not grant Copilot access to your content. The magic unlock with Copilot Voice and Copilot Vision is the ease of interaction. Using the new wake word, “Hey Copilot,” getting something done is as easy as just asking for it. And with your permission, Copilot Vision can analyze what’s on your screen helping you learn new apps, get recommendations for a project or show you how to do it.
A Better Screenshot Tool
You can now also ask Copilot to export your text to Word, Excel or PowerPoint, making it easier to jump right into projects. For example, if you asked Copilot for help with a homework assignment, you could export the results directly into a formatted document, spreadsheet or presentation of your choosing. The energy and enthusiasm of the Windows Insider community has helped shape the future of Windows for over a decade. Now, alongside Copilot Labs, we’re bringing even more experimental AI and agentic features to Windows Insiders. New wake and goodbye words make it even easier to use, which are generally available for Windows 11 PCs. This opt-in feature gives people a new way to easily start a conversation with Copilot Voice, anytime the feature is enabled.
- When it comes to setting apps as the default for certain file types, Windows 11 makes things somewhat trickier.
- Anyone can sign up for preview builds of the OS through the Windows Insider Program, which lets you experience new features before they’re available for general release.
- In that app, you can experience the full digital inking experience, which now rivals a traditional writing experience.
However, the software giant notes that this change is rolling out really slowly, and it can take a few releases before it’s available to every Insider. Although the Administrator Protection isn’t a new feature through the Windows Insider Program, it’s worth pointing out that the feature is yet again available through the Windows Security app. Soon, you can instantly schedule a Zoom meeting by invoking Click to Do and simply hovering over an email address visible on your screen—no app switching, no copying details, no interruptions. We’re also introducing another new AI action in File Explorer to edit with Filmora, allowing you to jump right into video editing easily and seamlessly. We’re excited to introduce even more ways to get things done easier with new AI actions in Windows.
- Pinned app buttons (larger than icons but smaller than Windows 10 tiles) are at the top of its panel.
- If you want still more functionality out of your file manager, you always have the option of using one of several File Explorer Alternatives.
- The first three from the latter group are mostly content from news sites.
- This opt-in feature gives people a new way to easily start a conversation with Copilot Voice, anytime the feature is enabled.
- These new features are increasingly relegated to Copilot+ PCs, but the general run of Windows 11 PCs still gets some love with new features.
- In terms of raw performance on traditional synthetic benchmarks, the new OS is largely equal to Windows 10.
Windows 11 has a slick look, useful new tools, updated default apps, extra capabilities, and performance advances. With Copilot, it’s the first desktop operating system to have built-in generative and assistive AI. It surpasses both ChromeOS and macOS on that front and goes further than either on mobile connection features. For dedicated Microsoft users, Windows 11 retains most of the vast feature set of Windows 10, compatibility with applications, and the general interface processes. Along with Apple’s excellent macOS Sequoia, Windows 11 earns our Editors’ Choice award for desktop operating systems.