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Paul Thurrott
Jun 27, 2026
1
comment

Windows 11 is a full-featured and mature platform for apps, or applications, standalone software programs…

Table of contents

Get to Know Windows 11

What’s New With Windows 11 in 2026

Upgrade to Windows 11

Upgrade

Install Windows 11

Install

Personalize Windows 11

Initial Configuration and Personalization
Customize Your Windows 11 Privacy Settings
Customize the Lock and Sign-In Screens

Desktop

Desktop
Start
Taskbar
Widgets
Windows Search
Quick Settings

Multitasking

Multitasking

Files

Nearby Sharing (24H2)
Files

Help and Recovery

Help and Recovery
Windows Backup

Hardware

Phone Link (23H2)
Hardware Device Basics
Multiple Displays
Storage

Accounts

Accounts

Security

Secure Your Microsoft Account
Passkeys (25H2)
Account Security Basics (25H2)
Security

Internet and Networking

Networking Basics
Internet Connectivity

Apps

Apps

Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Edge

Productivity Apps

Notepad
Screenshots and Screen Recordings
Copilot

Digital Media

Clipchamp
Paint
Media Player
Photos
Sound Recorder, Camera, and Windows Studio Effects

Xbox and Games

XBOX PC and Games

Command Line

Command Line Interfaces

Virtualization

Virtualization

Archived - 22H2

Windows 11 Hardware Requirements and Recommendations
Create Windows 11 Install Media
What’s New and Familiar in Windows 11
What’s Missing in Windows 11
Upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11
Clean Install
Step-By-Step: The Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE)
Upgrade to Windows 11 on Unsupported Hardware
Overcome Windows 11 Setup Annoyances
Windows 11 Personalization First Steps
Customize Your Privacy Settings
Customize the Display
Customize the Lock and Sign-In Screens
Desktop
Start
Taskbar
Widgets
Search
Quick Settings
Alt-Tab (Archived)
Task View (Archived)
Shake (Archived)
Snap
Task Manager (Archived)
Desktops
Do Not Disturb and Focus
Clipboard (Archived)
File Explorer
Nearby Sharing (Archived)
OneDrive
Storage
Device Encryption (Archived)
Backup
Wi-Fi (Archived)
Ethernet
Cellular Data
Airplane Mode
Mobile Hotspot
Set Up Microsoft Edge Correctly
Microsoft Edge Basics
Reading with Microsoft Edge (22H2 archive)
Microsoft Edge Collections (22H2 Archive)
Microsoft Edge Shopping
Quick Assist
Microsoft Edge and Web Apps
Recovery Drive
Reset This PC
Accounts Basics
Microsoft Accounts
Work and School Accounts
Local Accounts
Windows Hello and Dynamic Lock
Email and Other Accounts
Multiple Accounts
Devices Basics
USB
Bluetooth
Displays
Phone Link
Keyboards, Mice, and Touchpads
Touch, Pen, and Tablet
Printers and Scanners
Troubleshooting
Apps Basics
Microsoft Store
Notifications
Windows Update
Windows Security
Windows Defender
Find My Device
Android Apps
Mail
Calendar
Microsoft 365
Photos (Archived)
Media Player (Archived)
Movies & TV
Microsoft Edge Security and Privacy
Xbox and Games Basics
Xbox Game Bar (Archived)
Xbox App
Terminal
Command Prompt
Linux
Hyper-V
Windows Sandbox
Screenshots and Screen Recordings
Windows Package Manager
Camera
Sound Recorder
What’s New and Familiar in Windows 11 Version 23H2
What’s Missing in Windows 11 Version 23H2
Windows 11 Version 23H2 Hardware Requirements and Recommendations
Upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 Version 23H2
Upgrade to Windows 11 Version 23H2 on Unsupported Hardware
Create Windows 11 Version 23H2 Installation Media
Step-by-Step: Windows Setup First-Boot Experience
Step-By-Step: Windows Setup Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE)
Overcome Windows Setup Annoyances
Windows Backup
OneDrive (23H2) (Archived)
Copilot
File Explorer (23H2) (Archived)
Apps Basics (23H2)
Windows Hello, Presence Sensing, and Dynamic Lock (23H2)
Windows 11 Version 23H2 Personalization First Steps (Archived)
Customize the Display (23H2) (Archived)
Customize the Lock and Sign-In Screens (23H2) (Archived)
Customize Your Privacy Settings (23H2) (Archived)
Desktop (23H2)
Start (23H2)
Taskbar (23H2)
Widgets (23H2)
Search (23H2) (Archived)
Quick Settings (23H2) (Archived)
Copilot (23H2)
Notifications (23H2)
Work and School Accounts (23H2)
Passkeys and Security Keys
Dynamic Lighting
Windows Studio Effects
Microsoft Accounts (23H2)
Accounts Basics (23H2)
Local Accounts (23H2) (Archived)
Multiple Accounts (23H2)
Accounts Used by Other Apps (23H2)
Widgets (23H2, M5) (Archived)
Snap (23H2 + Moment 5) (Archived)
Snipping Tool, Screenshots, and Screen Recordings (23H2)
Set Up Microsoft Edge Correctly … Whether You Use It Or Not
Microsoft Edge Basics (23H2)
Reading with Microsoft Edge (23H2)
Microsoft Edge Collections (23H2)
Microsoft Store (24H2)
Reinstall Windows with Windows Update
Desktop (24H2) (Archived)
Start (24H2)
Taskbar (24H2)
What’s New and Familiar in Windows 11 (24H2)
What’s Missing in Windows 11 (24H2)
Windows 11 and Copilot+ PC Hardware Requirements and Recommendations (24H2)
Upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 (24H2)
Upgrade to Windows 11 on Unsupported Hardware (24H2)
Create Windows 11 Installation Media (24H2)
Step-by-Step: Windows 11 Setup First-Boot Experience (24H2)
Step-By-Step: Windows 11 Setup Out-of-Box Experience (24H2)
Overcome Windows 11 Setup Annoyances (24H2)
Windows 11 Personalization First Steps (24H2)
Customize the Display (24H2)
Customize the Lock and Sign-In Screens (24H2)
Customize Your Windows 11 Privacy Settings (24H2)
Widgets (24H2)
Search (24H2)
Quick Settings (24H2)
Alt-Tab and Task View (24H2)
Snap (24H2)
Task Manager (24H2)
Clipboard (24H2)
File Explorer (24H2)
OneDrive (24H2)
Local Accounts (24H2)
Device Encryption (24H2)
Game Bar (24H2)
Wi-Fi (24H2)
Quick Machine Recovery (25H2)

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