If you have a Windows PC, get ready for a new operating system. Microsoft announced today that Windows 11 will be available as a free upgrade to eligible PCs beginning Oct. 5.
It will roll out to other devices in phases.
Windows 11 features a new look and new sounds that are “modern, fresh, clean and beautiful, bringing you a sense of calm and ease,” Microsoft says.
It also features several tweaks, including:
- A redesigned start menu that displays your recent files no matter what device you use to view them
- Widgets, a personalized feed powered by artificial intelligence, that “provides a faster way to access the information you care about”
- Technology that makes Windows 11 “the best Windows ever for gaming”
The Verge reports that some Windows 11 features will not be available on Oct. 5. This includes a plan to bring Android apps to Windows 11 as part of a joint venture with Amazon and Intel. The publication speculates that this feature will not be available to all users until next year.
In a blog post, Microsoft says:
“We expect all eligible devices to be offered the free upgrade to Windows 11 by mid-2022. If you have a Windows 10 PC that’s eligible for the upgrade, Windows Update will let you know when it’s available. You can also check to see if Windows 11 is ready for your device by going to Settings > Windows Update and select Check for updates.”
The new operating system is the successor to Windows 10, which was released in 2015. In the blog post, Microsoft says it will continue to support Windows 10 through Oct. 14, 2025. The next feature update to Windows 10 will arrive later this year.
For more on getting free computer technology, check out “3 Ways to Get Microsoft Office for Free.”
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