Windows 11 Screenshot Gallery
- Paul Thurrott
- Jun 24, 2021
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49
Microsoft has provided a nice selection of Windows 11 screenshots that show off some of the new features in this coming new product.
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Conversation 49 comments
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j5
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>Paul do you know if they updated ALL the icons in Windows?</p><p>Thanks for the screen shots.</p>
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dftf
Log in to Reply<p>I doubt they’ve updated <em>all </em>the icons… I’m sure if you look in certain files, such as moricons.dll, you’ll still find lots of 16-colour (4-bit) legacy ones. Though I always wonder why this matters to people so much… unless you specifically go poking-around, you’ll never come-across them in normal use…</p>
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crossingtheline
Log in to Reply<p>Didn’t expect to see Android apps on Windows!</p><p>However having watched the keynote I am so glad I moved over to macOS, Windows is still lacking in proper fit and finish. I have a feeling Windows 11 will be skin deep and it won’t be hard to stumble across some Windows 95 UI panel.</p><p><br></p><p>I’m sorry but who is going to buy movies from the Microsoft store, or use Teams for personal calls? RIP Skype.</p>
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j5
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>I switched to Mac OS a few months ago. And I’m stoked about Windows 11! This new Windows iteration is pretty much the same thing as Big Sur, new coat of paint. Which I still don’t get why people are dumping on that?</p><p>Being able to use your Android apps on Windows 11 is a big deal. They are trying to get that type of echo system Apple has. That’s more than skin deep icon changes. There were some great productivity features I wish my Mac had.</p><p>I agree that there probably won’t be a lot of people purchasing movies off the Windows store. But Microsoft has to compete none the less. Or they get left behind or are late to the game, like with smart phones.</p><p>But I disagree about Teams. Especially if it comes preinstalled and they continue their marketing campaign showing how it can be used for home users not just business. Teams has a lot of great features that Skype didn’t. And because of the pandemic people are open to video calls now. They had to do it during the pandemic on their tablets, laptops, desktops, smart devices, smartphones and work computers for; work, school, doctor’s appointments, talk to family and friends. It’s not a “tech thing” anymore. And </p>
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lvthunder
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>People might rent movies from the store.</p>
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crossingtheline
Log in to Reply<p>Only if they are stupid. Microsoft regularly kills consumer offerings. It wasn’t long ago that they killed their music store and streaming service.</p><p>I wouldn’t purchase any media from Microsoft that they could switch off overnight.</p>
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wunderbar
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>I’m pretty sure that’s why the term "rent" and not "purchase" was used.</p>
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harmjr
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>I wonder where are they renting from? Microsoft, Amazon or others….</p>
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scovious
Log in to Reply<p>At least you can use Xbox Cloud Gaming to play videogames now that you are on a mac, or perhaps you could run Windows Cloud Desktop to install games that are not on Game Pass. Obviously you couldn’t do any real gaming on a Mac, but Microsoft is still giving you options even though you are stuck in the past. RIP Intel on Mac.</p>
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j5
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>I’m not really into gaming. A casual game now and then. But I totally understand how this is important to some users.</p>
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curtisspendlove
Log in to Reply<p>The Mac isn’t a great native platform for gaming, but it’s a fine option for Steam Link. Also, as mentioned, cloud gaming is going to continue to be improved over time. </p><p><br></p><p>A lot of people like casual gaming; which newer Macs can just install from the App Store now. </p><p><br></p><p>Gaming is better than it ever has been on Mac. But Apple don’t care about the “trigger gaming” crowd. I don’t think they lose much. </p><p><br></p><p>If you don’t want to build or buy a gaming PC, a console is the standards answer there. </p><p><br></p><p>Im also curious about Stream’s new handheld. The rumors seem quite intriguing. </p>
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SvenJ
Log in to Reply<p>What do you call ‘real gaming’? We have an entire city in the desert dedicated to real gaming, called Las Vegas. You can certainly do that on a Mac. Is it only real gaming if it requires a water cooled Windows based tower? </p>
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Greg Green
Log in to Reply<p>With M1 gaming is back in play. And the chips will only get faster in the future.</p>
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yoshi
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>Did they show off an updated Mail app? Or are they even keeping it around? Sorry if I missed this already.</p>
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j5
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>I don’t think they did. Maybe that’s behind held for that One Outlook UI revamp?</p>
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curtisspendlove
Log in to Reply<p>Excellent question! I feel like this is t everything. Just what they had mostly ready to talk about and send down the pipes soonish. </p><p><br></p><p>Although I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if all communications basically somehow ends up in Teams. </p><p><br></p><p>I can’t decide if I would like that or not. And I feel like “Teams” is a weird brand for personal stuff. I can’t think of a better one though. </p>
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scovious
Log in to Reply<p>I wish Windows Explorer had gotten a facelift too, that UI hasn’t changed or evolved in far too long. Why not add some automation features or the ability to see the size of folders at a glance? Any news on if we can pin the weather forecast to the taskbar like in Windows 10?</p>
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dftf
Log in to Reply<p>"the ability to see the size of folders at a glance"</p><p><br></p><p>You can sort-of do this now, providing you use a mouse (not a touch-device): just hover-over a folder, and the screentip will tell you the totals-size of that folder. It won’t work for all folders though, and I don’t think it applies for any network drives, only internal or locally-attached ones</p>
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ianhead
Log in to Reply<p>According to Windows Latest, it will – only a visual makeover though, no changes in features far as I can see.</p>
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VancouverNinja
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>Android apps on Windows?! That is a killer feature. There in nothing left special for Apple anymore. Impressed – with Windows 11 you can have it all and you can choose how much you want to pay for it and from whom you buy it from. Apple has painted themselves into a corner.</p><p><br></p>
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curtisspendlove
Log in to Reply<p>Heh. I don’t think Apple is too scared. There are already a huge amount of articles I’m seeing saying “Windows 11 adapts macOS UI Design” and such. And not just in the Apple blogosphere. </p><p><br></p><p>Personally I’m far more impressed with 11 than I thought I’d be. But the real proof will be when it comes down to my rig in an Insiders update. Sounds like it isn’t too far off. </p>
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j5
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>Agreed, Apple doesn’t have to worry about Microsoft threatening the Apple Ecosystem. Microsoft doesn’t even have a smartphone. But doesn’t mean they should’ve keep their ear to the ground either!</p><p><br></p><p>It definitely will be interesting to see these 2 battle it out in this area. Smartphone apps being specifically developed to work on your smartphone and PC/Mac. Might see some new areas of tech sprout from this competition? </p>
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SvenJ
Log in to Reply<p>I’d suggest MS does have a smartphone, and not just the Duo. They have a stake in every Android phone out there. Look at the synergy they are building with Your Phone, largely with Android, and now this Android app support. The best part is they aren’t having to design, build, sell and support a smartphone. They suck at that.</p>
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dftf
Log in to Reply<p><em>"Look at the synergy they are building with </em>Your Phone<em>, largely with </em>Android<em>"</em></p><p><br></p><p>You mean <em>only with</em> Android — you can barely do anything with an <em>iPhone</em> in the <em>Your Phone </em>app!</p><p><br></p><p>And currently only a handful of <em>Samsung </em>phones are fully-supported: so the more-advanced features, like mirroring an app running on your phone onto your Windows 10 desktop, aren’t supported by all <em>Android </em>phones, even if they are running the latest Android OS!</p><p><br></p><p>I hope in <em>Windows 11</em> this sort of pointless esclusivity comes to an end…</p>
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j5
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>Hm, that’s a valid point for sure. However, it’s not the same as Apple’s ecosystem because they don’t own and control it. Microsoft depends on Google for the OS. Hate or love Apple but that’s how come all the devices and software sync and work so well together. Microsoft is far from that happening. None the less, this Windows 11 update is pretty cool.</p>
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dftf
Log in to Reply<p><em>"Windows 11 adapts macOS UI Design”</em></p><p><br></p><p>Aside from the centred-icons on the <em>Taskbar </em>looking similar to how the <em>Dock </em>operates, I’m not-sure what else I’ve seen I’d generally say is <em>Big Sur-like</em>.</p><p><br></p><p>If anything, with all the emphasis on "glass-like" and "transparent" it seems <em>Aero </em>is making a return, from the <em>Vista </em>and <em>7 </em>days. Which is odd, as for <em>Windows 8</em>, they argued all the transparency effects were just a waste of CPU and hence why most were ditched…</p>
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pwingert
Log in to Reply<p>I’m not impressed. the TPM 2.0 requirement is a huge problem. I tested all 11 of my machines and my 4 tablets and none of them qualify. Even my less than a year old XPS 17 has the wrong flavor or TPM 2.0 to qualify. None of my gaming desktops even have a TPM chip. So, I won’t be using windows 11 for a few years until I replace hardware next decade.</p>
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dftf
Log in to Reply<p>Android apps on Windows 11 was about the only <em>killer feature </em>(though given in Windows 10 they were able to add the <em>Windows Subsystem for Linux</em> in one of the major-updates, allowing you to run command-line and GUI Linux apps on Windows, did Android-app support really need to wait for 11?)</p><p><br></p><p>Though it’s still unclear how many apps will work, given some require (1) a <em>Google Account</em> to sign-in, or to make-use of some app features; (2) some of the <em>Google Play Services</em> to be present and (3) the <em>WebView </em>rendering-engine to be present. So compared to <em>iOS</em> and <em>iPadOS</em> apps on <em>macOS Big Sur</em>, you may find it more-limiting as to what will run on <em>Windows 11</em></p>
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jason_e
Log in to Reply<p>LOL. You must be joking. I am pretty sure Apple is not scared one bit. Not even a little.</p>
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pwingert
Log in to Reply<p>The requirement for TPM 2.0 could push a lot of people out of Windows. I checked all my 11 machines and 3 tablets and none of them pass. Even my XPS 17 which has TPM doesn’t qualify.</p>
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dftf
Log in to Reply<p>The "Health Tool" Microsoft has released seems to be reporting the vast-majority of PCs aren’t, going by reports. So I’d say to wait until an updated version is released.</p><p><br></p><p>As long as one of your devices meets these specs, Windows 11 should run:</p><p><strong>64-bit AMD, Intel or ARM CPU </strong>(at-least dual-core and 1Ghz or faster)</p><p><strong>4GB of RAM </strong>or more</p><p><strong>64GB of fixed, local storage </strong>or more</p><p><strong>GPU compatible with DirectX 12</strong></p><p><strong>UEFI motherboard firmware mode </strong>(BIOS not supported)</p><p><strong>TPM v1.2 </strong>or higher</p><p><strong>Secure Boot </strong>enabled</p><p><strong>1366×768 minimum resolution </strong>and a screen-size of <strong>9 inches or larger</strong></p>
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dftf
Log in to Reply<p>UPDATES</p><p><br></p><p>A new version of the Health Check tool has been released, that will actually tell you what the issues are</p><p><br></p><p>And Microsoft have updated a spec page to confirm v1.2 TPMs will not be supported</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p>
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harmjr
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>I actually want another Windows tablet under 10" again. Hope someone will make one again. I know not holding my breath. </p>
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dftf
Log in to Reply<p>According to Mary Jo-Foley, Windows 11 will only support devices with a 9" screen or bigger with a minimum resolution of 1366×768</p>
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pwingert
Log in to Reply<p>The TPM 2.0 requirement is going to wipe 95% of the consumer market off the list for upgrading. I only know of one recent gaming class motherboard that has TPM 2.0.</p>
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Jarrett Kaufman (TurboFool)
Log in to Reply<p>This isn’t completely accurate. I thought the same until I learned most processors released for the last few years have their own onboard TPM. That’s why my new gaming motherboard didn’t bother to include one. Turned it on in the UEFI and I’m fully supported now.</p>
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saint4eva
Log in to Reply<p>That is mostly the screen range where Windows shines – productivity remember. Anything lower than 6 or 7" ought to be for Android or IOS </p>
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pwingert
Log in to Reply<p>All my Windows tablets are 32-bit so they won’t be upgradeable and none of them have TPM 2.0.</p>
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dftf
Log in to Reply<p>Yeah, most of the <em>Windows RT </em>tablets were built for the <em>32-bit ARMv7 </em>processors, so you’re out-of-luck.</p><p><br></p><p>Still, <em>Windows 10</em> is supported until October 2025, so you’ve still 4 years, 4 months to go — during that time, maybe try some <em>Linux </em>distros inside a VM and see which you could replace <em>Windows </em>with when the time comes?</p>
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saint4eva
Log in to Reply<p>No need to suffer with linux distros. He/ she ought to get a new PC to enjoy fresh breath of Windows 11</p>
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crunchyfrog
Log in to Reply<p>I’m now looking forward to Windows 11, as I am with any new release. Any idea on release date and costs if any?</p>
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dftf
Log in to Reply<p>No exact release date, but second-half of this year (scroll-down to the "Get Ready" heading on this page: microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11 )</p><p><br></p><p>I’d imagine the retail prices will be similar to boxed-copies of Windows 10 today, and yes, it’ll be a free-update to any existing Windows 10 device. Not confirmed yet if a Windows 7 or Windows 8 key will still be accepted during the Setup process, but people who have ran the leaked build have said it does appear it will accept both</p>
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Jeremy Turnley
Log in to Reply<p>MS loves to release new OSes in late October. No guarantees, but it’s a reasonably safe bet.</p>
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harmjr
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>So will there be two Teams apps install or just one.</p><p><br></p><p>Also doesn’t this mean an anti trust issue against from Slack or what every crap Google just put out?</p>
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james_makumbi
Log in to Reply<p>Right, so snapped and maximised windows do not have rounded corners. </p><p>That’s a relief. </p><p>How often will you use an app window that is neither snapped nor maximised? </p><p>Do people habitually run apps in floating windows?</p><p>If an app does not fill the screen horizontally, the normal thing is to maximise the vertical space to cut down of scrolling.</p>
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thetsart
Log in to Reply<p><em>How often will you use an app window that is neither snapped nor maximised? </em></p><p><br></p><p>I never use a snapped or maximized window, at least not purposefully.</p>
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SAJ507
Log in to Reply<p>I wanted to be taken to the future but got sidetracked to the Beauty Salon for some more lipstick……. I wanted so much more…. :-(</p>
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exreey
Log in to Reply<p>In the presentation, <span style="color: rgb(66, 66, 66);">Panos Panay says "the team obsessed over every pixel. Like the way the light moves across the icons. .."</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(66, 66, 66);">Oke Panos, convince me by showing 3 screenshots:</span></p><ul><li>file explorer</li><li>right click menu on a file in file explorer</li><li>device manager</li></ul>
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exreey
Log in to Reply<p>What I’d like to see in Win11 is a complete streamlining of the file system.</p><p>No more \Program Files, \Program Files x86, \ProgramData, \AppData, and application settings all over the place in \AppData\Local, \LocalLow, \Roaming, \Program Files, etc etc etc… (and let’s not talk about save game locations 🙂 )</p><p><br></p><p>How hard can it be to make one consistent file structure, where all programs, settings, documents, savegames, etc go to one dedicated folder?</p><p><br></p><p><br></p>