Why you should try Windows 11?

Why you should try Windows 11?

Windows 11 is the latest version of the Windows operating system, and it brings many new and exciting features that can enhance your productivity, creativity, and entertainment. Whether you are a student, a professional, a gamer, or a casual user, Windows 11 has something for you. Here are some of the reasons why you should use Windows 11:

A redesigned interface

Windows 11 has a fresh and modern look that makes it easier to use and more pleasing to the eye. The Start menu and taskbar are now centered on the screen, giving you quick access to your apps, files, settings, and web content. You can also customize them to suit your preferences and pin your favorite apps for faster access.

The new interface also supports themes, widgets, wallpapers, and sounds that let you personalize your desktop according to your mood or style. You can choose from a variety of options or create your own with ease.

New productivity and social features

Windows 11 helps you get more done with less hassle with its new productivity and social features. For example:

  • Snap Layouts: This feature allows you to arrange multiple windows on your screen in different layouts with just one click. You can choose from various options such as side by side, stacked, or cornered depending on your needs.
  • Snap Groups: This feature lets you save and restore groups of windows that you have snapped together. You can easily switch between different tasks or projects without losing your context or progress.
  • Desktops: This feature lets you create multiple virtual desktops for different purposes such as work, school, gaming, or personal. You can switch between them with a simple gesture or keyboard shortcut.
  • Microsoft Teams: This feature integrates Microsoft Teams into Windows 11’s taskbar so that you can chat, call, video conference, share files, and collaborate with anyone from anywhere. You can also sync your contacts across devices and platforms for seamless communication.

Updates to security and accessibility

Windows 11 also improves security and accessibility for all users with its updates such as:

Secure Boot: This feature ensures that only trusted software can run on your device by verifying its integrity before loading it. It helps prevent malware attacks and unauthorized modifications to your system.

BitLocker: This feature encrypts the data on your device so that only authorized users can access it. It protects your privacy and confidential information from theft or loss.

Windows Hello: This feature allows you to sign in to your device using biometric authentication such as facial recognition or fingerprint scanning. It eliminates the need for passwords and makes logging in faster and more convenient.

Narrator: This feature reads aloud text on your screen so that people with visual impairments can use Windows 11 more easily. It supports multiple languages and voices for better comprehension.

Magnifier: This feature enlarges text and images on your screen so that people with low vision can see them more clearly. It also has color filters and mouse tracking options for better visibility.

Improvements to performance

Windows 11 also boosts performance for all devices with its improvements such as:

  • Faster boot time: Windows 11 starts up faster than ever before thanks to its optimized codebase
    and streamlined processes.
  • Longer battery life: Windows 11 consumes less power than previous versions by intelligently managing resources and background activities.
  • Smoother updates: Windows 11 delivers updates more smoothly by downloading them in smaller chunks and installing them in the background without interrupting your work.

These are just some of the reasons why you should use Windows 11. If you want to experience these features yourself, you can upgrade from Windows 10 for free if your device meets the minimum requirements. Alternatively, you can buy a new device that comes pre-installed with Windows 11 from various manufacturers.

Windows 11 is more than just an operating system; it’s a platform that empowers you to do more of what you love with ease and joy. Don’t miss this opportunity to upgrade today!

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Drop: a new way to send files, notes across mobile and PC devices

Drop: a new way to send files, notes across mobile and PC devices

Drop is a new file and notes sharing feature in the Microsoft Edge browser that lets users send files and notes across their mobile and PC devices. The Drop sharing feature is located in the sidebar widget. It works by synchronizing a shared file across your devices using Edge and OneDrive. A kind of AirDrop feature that lets you share and receive photos, documents, videos, links, and notes or text to another device instead of a person.

The company has been testing and developing this new file-sharing feature since May this year. It has since moved from the Edge Canary Channel for early testers to more stable Edge versions. It appears it is still not generally available as i didn’t see it in the normal Edge browser. However, once it gets to the Dev Edge Channel it is likely to soon show up in the Beta channel and to all.

The Drop file-sharing feature tries to make sending links, text, images, and video from one device to another simple. This feature looks great as it only involves you and not another person or account. So you won’t have to create a fake contact or spam someone’s chat message with things you want to pick up from another device.

It is also another way Microsoft could be testing file sharing across devices as it doesn’t have a definite solution. Currently, it encourages Windows PC users to use the Phone Link app.

microsoft edge drop file sharing feature explained Windows 10 and 11, Mac PC interface
how it looks on a desktop Edge PC browser

How Drop file sharing feature works

First, you need to sign in to your Edge browser on both sending and receiving devices with your Microsoft account.

Next, the easiest way to use the feature is to open the sidebar widget and click it. On a Windows PC you can press the shortcut, control + shift +forward slash (Ctrl+Shift+/) to get to the side widget. Or Alt+F to open settings, then scroll down and select Show sidebar. Microsoft by default have it added, but if it isn’t you can click on the add (+) sign to add it.

Then click on the Edge Drop feature. The logo looks like a paper airplane. It will open up what looks like a text chat interface on the side. With a “write a note to yourself”, a plus (+) to select a file or photo to send, and a send feature the visible options.

microsoft edge drop file sharing feature explained Android, iOs mobile interface
how it looks on a mobile Edge browser

When you send a file, you will get a “New Drop messages in Edge” notification on the other devices you are signed in to asking you to click to open the file. The sent file then goes to a newly created “MicrosoftEdgeDropFiles” folder on your PC. I did not find any newly created folders on my mobile phone. When you click to open the Edge Drop file on mobile it takes you to the widget in the browser and you see the file and proceed from there.

From my current understanding, the file is also stored in a new folder in your Microsoft OneDrive account. You will notice a “Microsoft Edge Drop Files” folder with all the shared files except links and text as shown in the image below.t also uses your cloud storage and Microsoft doesn’t give any additional storage for this. So if you use it often and with large files, you will have to have a larger OneDrive storage or keep deleting them afterward.

Microsoft Edge Drop Files folder in OneDrive

It will be interesting to see the final feature when Microsoft releases or announces Drop to the public.

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Algiz 10XR, new ultra-rugged 10-inch Windows tablet

Algiz 10XR, new ultra-rugged 10-inch Windows tablet

Algiz 10XR is a new ultra-rugged 10-inch Windows tablet that lets you work in extreme heat, rain, and dusty spaces. Handheld Group, the manufacturer of Algiz 10XR and other rugged mobile computers, notes the tablet combines durability with robust field performance, 5G, and future-proof features.

The Algiz 10XR is a smaller, lighter, 10-inch Windows tablet that achieves more even while taking up less space. It brings two times better graphics and measurably faster performance. Future-proof 5G communication can handle live video streams and bandwidth-heavy tasks like mapping.

Algiz 10XR mounted on a dock above the steering wheel in a truck

The Windows device is good for fieldwork or other challenging environments within logistics, mining, public transport, public safety, waste management, or GIS. It is also designed with modulization and customization in mind.

The Algiz 10XR will bring some great performance gains for our partners and customers who rely on Windows tablets in the field,” says Johan Hed, Handheld chief product officer. “We’ve worked with this segment for decades now and are confident that we’ve developed a device with not only great specs but a complete accessory package to help our customers with their fieldwork.”

Algiz 10XR Handheld rugged Windows 10 tablet on a very dusty floor

Algiz 10XR Specifications

Dimensions282 x 182 x 26 mm (11.1” x 7.1” x 1”)
Weight​1250g (2.7 lbs)
OSWindows 10 Enterprise LTSC (64bit)
Display​10.1″ capacitive multi-touch (10 points)
1920×1200 pixels
Sunlight readable, 850 Nits
Glove/rain mode
Chemically strengthened glass
CPU​Intel Elkhart lake Atom x6413E 1.50 GHz (3.00 GHz boost) 64-bit quad-core
Graphic​Intel UHD Graphics for 10th-Gen Intel Processors
Connectivity5G, 4G/LTE, Sierra Wireless EM9191
802.11ac, a/b/g/n 2.4GHz/5GHz
BT v5.0
MIL-STD-810G, IP65, IEC 60529, TPM v2.0
Memory8GB
Storage128GB
CameraRear
12 megapixels with auto-focus and flash
Front
5 megapixels
AudioFront-facing stereo speaker
Microphone
Battery​Standard
11.55V 3520 mAh (40.66 Wh) Hot-swappable
Extended
10.8V 6700mAh (72.4 Wh) Hot-swappable
AuthenticationIR Camera, Fingerprint Power Key
Ports5.5mm DC-in barrel power jack, 1 x USB C 3.0 Support charging, and display port.
1 x USB C 3.0 output 5V/3A, 1 x USB A 3.0, Docking connector, 1x micro SDXC,
1x micro SIM

Other key features include an optional, integrated barcode scanner and NFC. It also has a broad ecosystem of accessories for field professionals. These include carrying cases, vehicle cradles, pole mounts, extended batteries, as well as a vehicle dock with antenna pass-through for both GPS and Wi-Fi.

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Fences 4 brings a modern desktop experience to Windows 10 and 11

Fences 4 brings a modern desktop experience to Windows 10 and 11

Fences 4 introduces new features that will streamline workflows while keeping your desktops organized. The application developed by Stardock makes it easy for Windows PC users to automatically organize shortcuts and icons on their desktops into custom-sized spaces called fences.

Fences 4 Stardock Software Brad Sams

The latest version of Fences introduces the Peek and Desktop Display feature to Windows 10 and 11 users. Peak lets users instantly view their fences by pressing Windows key + space, making accessing content significantly faster. For example, while working in a program like Adobe ® Premiere ® or Photoshop ®, users can bring a folder portal filled with their source footage and images to the surface of their desktop by pressing the configurable hotkey. This eliminates the need to minimize the application and go searching for the required asset in File Explorer.

Pressing Windows key + D hotkey lets you configure the Desktop Display feature. Either toggle or press-and-hold to streamline your workflow for accessing content on your desktop.

“Fences 4 is designed to deliver a modern desktop experience. Fences is the best way to organize your desktop, and the new “Peek” feature makes it possible to access all of your Fences content at any time and within any application. Your workflow will never be the same.”

Brad Sams, Vice President and General Manager of Stardock Software

Along with its new features, Fences 4 has been optimized so that it loads before the desktop when a PC is booted up, making it not only more functional but also more performant.

Fences 4 is available starting at $9.99 here or through Stardock’s Object Desktop suite.

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Microsoft welcomes realme to the Windows partner ecosystem

Microsoft welcomes realme to the Windows partner ecosystem

realme Windows partner ecosystem realme book laptop

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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