Date: 25 Jun 2021 3am (NZ)

Microsoft today introduced Windows 11, a new experience with intuitive design features that make multitasking easier to an all-new Microsoft Store that provides users with easy access to apps, games and movies.

“The past 18 months brought an incredible shift in how we used our PCs, from something practical and functional to something personal and emotional. This is what inspired us as we were building the next generation of Windows, a platform that over a billion people rely on. With Windows 11, we wanted to build a familiar place where everyone can create, learn, play, and most importantly connect in improved ways,” said Panos Panay, Chief Product Officer, Microsoft.

Windows 11 will be available on new PCs and through a free upgrade for eligible Windows 10 PCs beginning this holiday.

Windows 11 features a fresh, clean interface and intuitive features to empower users to get things done and inspire their creativity. Users can easily find what they need by clicking the Start button which has been moved to the centre of the screen. Start utilises the power of the cloud and Microsoft 365 to show users recent files that were previously viewed across different platforms or devices, so users can pick up where they left off – even documents they were working on their Android or iOS devices.

Windows 11 improves multitasking with features like Snap Layouts, Snap Groups and Desktops that help users organise their windows and optimise their screen real estate. Users can now enjoy the flexibility of multiple windows and work on multiple apps simultaneously by snapping the apps side by side on their screens. With Desktops, users can customise spaces for each aspect of their lives, such as work, gaming, or school, and easily switch between them.

Users also get faster access to information with Widgets, which provides a curated news feed powered by AI and best-in-class browser performance from Microsoft Edge. For creators and publishers, Widgets opens new real estate within Windows to deliver personalised content.

Windows 11 is designed to be a secure operating system for hybrid work and learning. Secure by design, it has new built-in security technologies and provides a Zero Trust-ready operating system to protect data and access across devices.

Windows 11 comes with an all-new Microsoft store that has been rebuilt for speed, variety and convenience. It features a wider catalogue of first and third-party apps that have been tested for security and family safety, bringing incredible experiences to entertain, inspire and connect users. For the first time, Android apps will be available in the Microsoft Store, and users can easily download these apps through the Amazon App store, a seamless process that was made possible through Microsoft’s partnership with Amazon.

Just as with Windows 10, Microsoft is committed to app compatibility on Windows 11 with App Assure, a service that helps customers with 150 or more users fix any app issues they might run into at no additional cost.

Windows 11 also unlocks the full potential of a system’s hardware, putting some of the latest gaming technology to work and providing users the ultimate, immersive gaming experience with DirectX 12 Ultimate, DirectStorage and Auto HDR.

Users will have a faster way to stay in touch with the integration of Microsoft Teams into the taskbar, which allows users to instantly connect through text, chat, voice or video with others anywhere in the world across Windows, Android or iOS. For friends and family without the Teams apps, users can still connect with them via two-way SMS. Integration with productivity features of Teams is also improved, allowing users to start presenting or muting themselves directly from the Taskbar.

Creating a more open ecosystem for developers and creators Microsoft is taking a step further to unlock new opportunities for creators and developers by creating a more open ecosystem with Windows 11 that will benefit developers and bring more apps, games, movies, shows, and web content to users where developers and independent software vendors apps (ISVs) can bring in their apps to the Microsoft Store, regardless of the app framework they are built on, such as Win32 or Progressive Web App (PWA).

Microsoft also announced a progressive change to Microsoft’s revenue share policies, with developers being able to keep 100% of their commerce revenue. App developers can still use Microsoft’s commerce ecosystem with a competitive revenue share of 85/15.

List of links that clarify even more:

• Introducing Windows 11: by Panos Panay, Chief Product Officer 


• Windows 11: The Operating System for Hybrid Work and Learning: by Wangui McKelvey, General Manager, Microsoft 365 


• What Windows 11 Means for Developers: by Kevin Gallo, Corporate Vice President, Windows Developer Platform 


• Building a Bigger, Better Microsoft Store: by Giorgio Sardo, Engineering General Manager, Microsoft 365 Experiences and Devices  


• Windows 11 is the Best Ever for Gaming: by Sarah Bond, Corporate Vice President, Head of Game Creator Experience and Ecosystem 


• Announcing the First Insider Preview for Windows 11: by Brandon LeBlanc, Senior Program Manager, Windows Insider Program 


• Windows 11 Generates Partner Opportunity: by Nicole Dezen, Vice President, Microsoft Device Partner Sales 

Some images shared during the unveiling:

[EDIT: press release and screenshots]