Here is how to upgrade to Windows 11 as it becomes officially available today.
The first thing you need to know and understand is that Microsoft is changing the minimum hardware requirements. This is largely due to the fact that Microsft wants to enable specific features within the operating system (OS). As well as keep pace with the latest computing needs and that of the future. So for you to also get the best and full user experience in Windows 11 you will need the latest hardware.
The new OS will need your device to be running Windows 10, version 2004 or later, to get the free upgrade. In terms of hardware specifications, the minimum RAM size is now 4GB and at least 64GB of storage space. Your device must have a processor with at least 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with 2 or more cores. But Microsoft notes it must be running on either an Intel 8th generation, AMD Zen 2, Qualcomm 7 or 8 series processors or higher. It should also support TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module) and be compatible with DirectX 12. Click here to find out more about the Windows 11 specs, features and hardware requirements.
Upgrade to Windows 11 steps
Microsoft is using rolling out the upgrade in phases and expects all eligible Windows 10 devices to get the upgrade by mid-2022. Following the Windows Update route is ideal and best for everyone. However, if you are an advanced user or want to get the upgrade now you can use the Installation Assistant method.
Windows Update
Open Windows Update in settings – (Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update) and
Select Check for updates
If your device is eligible and the upgrade is ready, the option to download and install will appear. If you are ready to install Windows 11, select Download and install. If not you can choose to do this at a later date or schedule it.
Installation Assistant
Click to go to the Microsoft Windows 11 software download page.
Click on the Download Now option under the Windows 11 Installation Assistant
Select Run. (You need to be an administrator to run this tool.)
Once the tool confirms the device hardware is compatible, you will be presented with the license terms. Select Accept and Install.
Once the tool is ready, click the Restart Now button to complete the installation on your computer.
It might take some time to install Windows 11, and your PC will restart a few times. Make sure you don’t turn off your PC.
Alternatively, you can choose to perform a clean install of Windows 11 by creating a new Installation Media. Or Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) and create a bootable installation media or virtual machine. To do this, click to go to the Microsoft Windows 11 software download page and select download under the other options.
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Microsoft is introducing the Surface Laptop Studio as a replacement to the Surface Book line. The name and design suggest it borrows heavily from the Surface Laptop, Surface Studio and even the Surface Pro devices. It isn’t your conventional laptop by design, but Microsoft has a reason. It is a powerhouse device designed for developers, creative pros, designers and gamers. But as usual, the question is how will it stack up against Apple’s MacBook.
The 14.4″ Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio runs on the latest quad-core 11th Gen Intel Core H Series processors and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti laptop GPU. It has a screen resolution of 2400 x 1600 and 201 PPI maintaining the famous 3:2 aspect ratio. 16GB up to 32GB of RAM and removable SSD storage starting from 256GB up to 2TB. Battery life estimations show up to 19 hours of typical device usage.
Microsoft says the feedback it got from Surface Book users was that they wanted a workstation with more power. They also wanted a device they can easily detach the screen and move around with. Interestingly this is Microsoft’s answer to that. The screen can’t be detached but like the Surface Pro models, you can adjust the kickstand to change the mode. But Microsoft isn’t calling it the kickstand here.
Price and release date
It starts at $1599.99 and you can pre-order it now and get it on 5th October 2021 when Windows 11 becomes generally available. Unfortunately, it will only be available in select markets, mostly the US, for now. But will come to other markets in 2022.
Watch the video below to find out everything new including design, specifications, and hands-on review about the Surface Laptop Studio.
Surface Laptop Studio full device specifications
Dimensions
12.72” x 8.98” x 0.746” ( 323.28 mm x 228.32 mm x 18.94 mm )
Display
Screen: 14.4” PixelSense™ Flow DisplayRefresh rate: up to 120Hz Resolution: 2400 x 1600 (201 PPI) Aspect ratio: 3:2 Contrast ratio: 1500:1 Surface Pen enabled Touch: 10-point multi-touchDolby Vision® support3
Memory
16GB or 32GB LPDDR4x RAM
Processor
Quad-core 11th Gen Intel® Core™ H35 i5-11300H Quad-core 11th Gen Intel® Core™ H35 i7-11370H
Accessories Support
Integrated Surface Slim Pen 2* storage for charging compatible with Surface Dial* off-screen interaction
Security
Hardware TPM 2.0 chip for enterprise security and BitLocker support enterprise-grade protection with Windows Hello face sign-in Windows enhanced hardware security
Software
Windows 11 Home, Preloaded Microsoft 365 Apps, Microsoft 365 Home 30-day trial Preloaded, Xbox App Xbox Game Pass Ultimate one month trial
2 x USB 4.0 with Thunderbolt™ 4 technologies support 3.5mm headphone jack 1 x Surface Connect port
Cameras, video, and audio
Windows Hello face authentication camera (front-facing)1080p resolution front-facing camera. Dual far-field Studio MicsQuad Omnisonic™ speakers with Dolby Atmos®
Wireless
Wi-Fi 6: 802.11ax compatible Bluetooth Wireless 5.1 technology Xbox Wireless built-in
Exterior
Casing: Magnesium and AluminumColor: Platinum
Warranty
1-year limited hardware warranty
Keyboard layout
Activation: Moving (mechanical) keys Layout: QWERTY, full row of function keys (F1-F12)Windows key and dedicated buttons for media controls, screen brightness Backlight
Battery capacities
Battery Capacity Nominal (WH): 58.0Battery Capacity Min (WH): 56.3
Hinge
Dynamic Woven Hinge made of woven fabric with embedded cables that can bend 180 degrees
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Microsoft officially welcomes realme to the Windows partner ecosystem with the launch of the realme Book. Alvaro Celis, the company’s VP of World Device Sales shared this at the launch event of the realme GT series and realme Book (Slim).
Alvaro shares that with more than 1.3 billion users the Windows ecosystem is more vibrant than ever. A platform that allows people to do whatever they need from their place of choice, he adds. He also notes that the realme Book is an incredible example of that [Windows 11] innovation.
Windows 11 is the Windows that you care and love, it has been reimagined, it has been simplfied. Today I have the distinct pleasure to welcome realme to the Windows partner ecosystem. With the launch of their device the realme Book, a device that will be available worldwide. I look forward to our joint success in the marketplace. Congratulations and welcome.
Alvaro Celis
The launch of the realme Book sees the company join smartphone companies Infinix and itel. They also recently joined the laptop market and announced their debut devices.
For realme, this venture will see if they can extend their mobile phone business model of delivering premium devices at budget prices to the laptop category. They have already made a name in the smartphone market claiming to be the world’s fastest smartphone brand to reach 100 million device sales. That question that remains is will they be able to give realme fans premium laptops at value prices?
The laptops will be upgradeable to Windows 11 for free when it launches officially later this year.
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Microsoft is announcing that the popular PC simulation game Flight Simulator is now available on the Xbox series X and S consoles. This is the first time in its about forty years that the flight simulation game is making its way to consoles.
Microsoft says it is trying to give aspiring pilots the chance to take flight(lessons) using a console. The game comes with the same level of depth as the PC version the company notes. The PC version is receiving a massive bump in performance improvements. It also comes with added features such as improved flight training, world exploration, flight assistance and more. And these are also going to be experienced on the console as well. The improved features give a pilot real-time and realist experiences through the power of satellite data from Bing Maps and cloud-based AI using Microsoft Azure.
Microsoft Flight Simulator lets you travel to over thirty-seven thousand airports and two million cities across the world. The enhanced improvements like point of interest labels let you explore and find landmarks easily. For new pilots, there are twenty-two fundamental training flights to teach you basic handling.
Microsoft Flight Simulator is available with Xbox Game Pass. So you can play it on a Windows 10 PC, Steam or your Xbox series X or S console. Microsoft says the game will get third party partners who will introduce peripherals to make the console experience immersive.
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Microsoft officially introduces Windows 11, its next-generation operating system (OS) to the public in a virtual event today. The company announces new features and products users can expect in the next version of Windows. These include a user interface overhaul, redesigned start menu, new app store with android apps and more. The OS is coming next week to Windows Insiders and will be officially available this holiday (October – November 2021) as a free upgrade.
I have to say, phew! There are a lot of goodies coming. Led by CEO, Satya Nadella and CVP, Panos Panay, it showcased more than what we saw in the leaked build. Here is a trailer of the Windows 11 OS from Microsoft. I must say it is breathtaking and best watched in 4K if you can, to get a better first impression of what is next and coming. I’ll share in-depth details on this down below. You can also watch the livestream event and relive the experience in full here.
Windows 11 – Redesigned OS, Refreshed look, More faster
Even though this is a new Windows, Microsoft has kept it familiar based on user feedback and from past experiences. It has taken Windows 10, tweaked and fined it and given it a refreshing look. One of the biggest changes you’ll notice is that Microsoft moved away from the sharp edges and pointy corners to softer, touchable and rounded edges. Microsoft also improved the typography and layering for eligibility and readability. There are new themes and desktop wallpapers with Bloom being popular among the lot. The OS design including icons looks modern, calm and clean. It comes with new tools, apps, and system sounds.
Microsoft CVP, Panos Panay, says Windows is faster. Waking your PC from sleep, Windows Hello, browsing on Edge or any browser is faster. He notes, Windows updates are 40% smaller and more efficient because they happen in the background. It uses less energy which translates to more battery life.
A new Start Menu
Microsoft says it has simplified the design and user experience of the start menu. The start menu and taskbar icons are now centred by default. But we know from the leaks you can change this to the left if you don’t want it centred. The search bar in the start menu allows you to search for things on your PC, OneDrive or the web. Microsoft says the start uses the cloud and Microsoft 365 to show you all your recent files irrespective of the platform you used them on earlier. So you can see your recent iOS and Android files in the start menu. It has transitions and transparency to guide you from app to app. You can also choose between light and dark modes.
New Microsoft Store + install Android apps on Windows 11 OS
Microsoft says it rebuilt the Microsoft store from the ground up and is making sure every app you need is there. The big reveal is Android apps are coming to Windows. Yes, you can install android apps on your Windows 11 PC and integrated them into the start, taskbar, etc. You will be able to search for Android apps in the Microsoft Store and download them through the Amazon Appstore, also in the Microsoft store. This is possible through the Intel Bridge technology. With this technology, Microsoft could bring more stores in the future including Samsung. Google Play and Huawei app store.
If you are a developer, Microsoft wants you to bring any technology to the store. And if you bring your own commerce engine to the Windows store you keep 100% of the revenue. But if you use theirs the revenue share is 85/15.
The Microsoft Store has a redesigned entertainment tab that lets you now enjoy video content from various streaming services.
Windows Widgets
Another feature Microsoft introduced is Windows Widget, a personalized feed powered by AI to serve you personalized curated content. You get information from weather, stocks, calendar, photos, news, to do, and any app you add.
Multitasking – Snap Layouts, Snap Groups and Desktops
Microsoft is introducing new multitasking experiences with Snap Layouts, Snap Groups and Desktops. Snap Layouts are layouts tailored to the size of your screen. It organizes your opened apps and optimizes the screen size to help you multitask easily. Snap Groups is a collection of apps you are using in a Snap Layout stored in the taskbar and Windows remembers them even after you switch to something else. You are now able to switch between apps and projects, Microsoft says. When you are using an extra monitor when you undock the windows minimize to your laptop and returns to the exact screen when you reconnect it. You will not have to reconfigure your layout. Desktops now let you display a different set of apps, and you can personalize each desktop with custom wallpapers.
More Features
Microsoft Teams is now directly integrated into Windows with one-touch. Microsoft says you can chat, voice and video call anyone on any device irrespective of platform. It works seamlessly across Windows, iOS, Android. It isn’t clear yet if Teams is replacing Skype with this announcement.
Gaming on Windows 11 is set to deliver superior graphics thanks to auto-HDR with no effort required from the player or developer. Auto HDR will automatically update the game’s lighting and colour to High Dynamic Range (HDR). But you need to have a Monitor that supports HDR for this to work. Thanks to breakthrough technology, Direct Storage API, games will load faster than ever in Windows 11. Microsoft is bringing hundreds of games to the PC by building Xbox game pass through the Xbox app on Windows 11. Xbox cloud gaming will also make it possible to play your console games on your PC through the Xbox app.
Microsoft shares you will see improvements and innovations in touch, pen, voice and keyboard making Windows adapt to you.
System Requirements for upgrade to Windows 11
The basic system hardware requirements for the Windows 11 OS are higher and different from Windows 10. This is because some of the new features require newer and specific hardware. You will need a processor with 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with 2 or more cores on a 64 bit System on a Chip (SoC). 4 GB of RAM and at least 64 GB of storage size and a graphics card that is DirectX 12 compatible. Microsoft says if your device doesn’t meet them you will not be able to install Windows 11 and suggests purchasing a new one. You can use this PC health check app from Microsoft to check the compatibility of your device.
Get Windows 11
Microsoft Windows 11 will be a free upgrade for eligible Windows 10 PCs when it becomes available officially this holiday (October – November 2021). New PCs will come with Windows 11 installed.
Next week, Microsoft will release an early build with Windows Insiders. But there changes on how to receive Windows 11 Insider Preview builds. This is majorly due to the updated baseline hardware system requirements for Windows 11. If your device meets Windows 11 hardware requirements you can get access to all the insider channels. If your device doesn’t meet the requirements but meets the WIP’s, you will be eligible for the Dev Channel but with degraded experience and features. Release Preview Channel isn’t available either. When your device doesn’t meet the WIP’s hardware requirement you will not be eligible for Beta and Release preview Channels. There will be limited exceptions to the dev channel where PCs will be allowed updates only via flighting until general availability. Then PCs will need to take action to go back to Windows 10.
Microsoft will keep supporting Windows 10 through 14 October 2025.
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Microsoft and Intel invite you to see how Azure partners and customers are becoming more productive and agile with hybrid and multicloud solutions. The free Azure Hybrid and Multicloud event will take place on Tuesday, June 29, 2021, from 9 AM to 11 AM PT. [4 PM GMT, 7 PM EAT, 5 PM BST, 5 PM WAT, 6 PM SAT]
The two-hour event will start with a short keynote and followed by deep dives into key topics and real companies’ experiences. Check out the sessions below.
Intel and Microsoft: Partnering to deliver scalable, secure, and flexible hybrid infrastructure to customers.
Run Azure data services anywhere with the latest developments in Azure Arc–enabled data services. See how SKF Group and Dell Technologies are getting the most out of the latest generation of hybrid data offerings.
Quickly build, deploy, and update apps anywhere with Azure Arc. Learn how to ensure governance, compliance, and security for all deployments.
Get consistent operations and security for hybrid and multicloud environments—and learn to automate systems to meet security, governance, and compliance standards.
Modernize your datacenter and use Azure Stack HCI hybrid capabilities to help improve availability and performance across environments.
Microsoft says you’ll get to ask questions and get answers to your hybrid questions. From product experts during the live chat and from Microsoft leaders during the live Q&A panel.
Speakers at the event include Corey Sanders, Microsoft Corporate Vice President (CVP), Solutions, Roanne Sones, Microsoft CVP Azure Edge + Platform. Others are Jeremy Winter, Microsoft VP, Azure Compute, Rose Schooler, Intel CVP and General Manager, Global Data center Sales.
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