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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The beauty of Windows 11

The beauty of Windows 11

Windows 11 is the latest version of Microsoft’s operating system that was released in October 2021. It offers a fresh and modern design, improved performance and security, and new ways to connect and create. Windows 11 also receives regular feature updates that add more functionality and enhancements to the user experience.

In this blog post, we will explore some of the new features and updates that Windows 11 has introduced or will introduce soon.

New design and layout

One of the most noticeable changes in Windows 11 is the new design and layout of the user interface. The Start menu, taskbar, icons, widgets, settings, and apps have been redesigned to be more intuitive, consistent, and beautiful.

The Start menu has moved to the center of the taskbar by default (but you can change it back to the left if you prefer), and it shows your pinned apps, recent files, recommended content, and a search bar. You can also access your Microsoft account settings from here. The taskbar has also been simplified and streamlined. It only shows your pinned apps by default (but you can customize it to show more), and it has a new button for accessing widgets. Widgets are personalized mini-apps that show you information like weather, news, calendar events, photos, traffic updates, etc. The icons have been updated with rounded corners and softer colors to match the overall aesthetic of Windows 11. The settings app has also been revamped with a more coherent structure and easier navigation.

The apps have also been optimized for Windows 11 with new features like snap layouts (which let you arrange multiple windows on your screen with ease), snap groups (which let you switch between different sets of snapped windows), desktops (which let you create separate workspaces for different tasks), voice typing (which lets you dictate text with punctuation commands), Focus sessions (which let you set goals and track your progress while listening to music from Spotify), etc.

New accessibility features

Windows 11 also includes additional improvements for people with disabilities:

  • Narrator: Windows 11’s built-in screen reader has received more natural voices, improving the text-to-speech function.
  • Live captions: Windows 11 has introduced system-wide live captions that go beyond individual apps’ live caption features. You can enable them from Settings > Accessibility > Hearing > Captions.
  • Voice access: Windows 11 has added voice access as an accessibility feature that lets you control your PC with your voice. You can enable it from Settings > Accessibility > Interaction > Voice access.
  • Magnifier: Windows 11’s magnifier tool has been improved with smoother transitions between zoom levels. You can enable it from Settings > Accessibility > Vision > Magnifier.

New connectivity features

Windows 11 also offers new ways to connect with others:

  • Teams: Windows 11 has integrated Teams, Microsoft’s communication platform for chat, video calls, meetings, and collaboration into the taskbar. You can easily start or join conversations with anyone from your contacts list or phone book.
  • Bing Chat: Windows 11 will soon introduce Bing Chat, an AI-powered feature that lets you chat with Bing directly from the search box on your taskbar or Start menu. You can ask Bing questions, get answers, set reminders, create lists, and more using natural language.
  • Android apps: Windows 11 will soon support running Android apps on your PC through the Amazon Appstore and the new Microsoft Store. You will be able to download and use your favorite Android apps like TikTok, Instagram, Netflix, etc. on your PC as if they were native apps.

Windows 11 is a major update that brings many new features and improvements to enhance your productivity, creativity, and connectivity. It also receives regular feature updates that add more functionality and enhancements to the user experience.

If you want to upgrade to Windows 11, you need to have an eligible PC that meets minimum device specifications. You can check if your PC is compatible by using the PC Health Check app or visiting this website.

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Here is how to get the new AI chat and compose features in Microsoft Edge

Here is how to get the new AI chat and compose features in Microsoft Edge

Microsoft launched a new Bing search engine and Edge browser powered by a more powerful than ChatGPT next-generation OpenAI large language model. It features new AI chat and compose tools that bring together search, browsing, and chat into one experience across the web. To give you a unique conversational experience, a better search with complete answers, and the ability to generate content.

new Microsoft Edge browsers with AI chat and compose in Bing preview

The Microsoft Edge browser received a new update that brings a new look and allows you to experience the new Bing preview with AI capabilities. It comes with two new features; chat and compose located in the Edge sidebar.

To experience the new ChatGPT-like AI-powered Microsoft Edge browser here is what you should know. You first need to have a Personal Microsoft Account(MSA). Then secondly because it is still in preview, you’ll need to get the Microsoft Edge Dev channel browser.

Get the new Edge browser with AI chat and compose features

Download the latest Microsoft Edge Dev build. Or If you already have an Edge Dev browser go to settings>about Microsoft Edge>Update to Version 111.0.1660.6.

Sign into Microsoft Edge Dev using your approved personal MSA

Restart the Microsoft Edge Dev browser

Confirm you can access the new Bing. Now Go to Bing.com and type a question, then hover and click the Bing icon at the top corner of Microsoft Edge to try the new chat and compose experiences.

Microsoft is slowly rolling the feature out so your experience might differ depending on your location. Microsoft plans to scale the preview to millions in the coming weeks and bring it to mobile and other browsers as well. You can join a waitlist to know when it is available to you.

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Building an operating system that works for emerging markets, Lessons from Nigeria that shaped Windows 10

Building an operating system that works for emerging markets, Lessons from Nigeria that shaped Windows 10

What is it like building an operating system for the world? Microsoft Windows Insider chief, Dona Sarkar talks about how diversity helps in the development of the Windows operating system. Sharing how the development team builds an operating system that works for emerging markets like Africa thriving on diversity.

Dona was talking to Mark Smith (nz365guy), about Building a Tech Community: Windows Insider Program on his podacst.

Knowing how people use tech in the world is how we grow and build better products.

Dona Sarkar

Lessons from Nigeria that shaped Windows 10 for emerging markets

Dona talks passionately about how she appreciates diversity in a corporate team. “I appreciate diversity of experience and diversity of background really helps. What people who are diverse bring to the table is open mindedness.”

As someone who helps in building a global product, she says she will have only a specific point of view sitting in Redmond. “I think we need a global thinking. How do people use tech all around the world. What more should we build and invest in.”

Knowing how people use tech in the world is how we[Microsoft] grow and build better products, Dona says.

About three years ago we realized we know very little about how to build a windows that works well in emerging markets. Especially for places where electricity and good wifi is not a given.

So we choose Lagos, Nigeria because there’s are a hundred and eighty million people there. They love technology, they use it all the time but the infrastructure is not quite as reliable as it might be in Redmond.

When we were there i was trying to install insider builds, have skype calls and podcast and it was challenging. We had rolling blackouts everyday, wifi was extremely slow and spotty. The expense of having wireless connectivity is way higher.

We realized having the ability to have longer battery life is extremely important. Having devices that work on cellular like our Windows on ARM PCs is extremely important compared to always relying on wifi. The ability to have a windows download size that’s not 3GB but maybe 2GB is extremely important.

A 2G network on Microsoft campus

We had these realizations only after spending time in Nigeria – with Nigerian Fellows of the Insiders4Good Program – says Dona Sarkar. The “experiences in Nigeria had a wider impact on the company’s development practices. We’re fundamentally changing the way we develop Windows.” Dona says they built a 2G network on Redmond campus to simulate the conditions under which users in ‘occasionally connected’ markets have to use their devices.

Dona and the Windows development team are making Windows better with the help of a diverse Insider community. A community of people across the world who help test pre-relase Windows builds and provide feedback.

Click to visit podcast page and listen to the full conversation with Mark.

Caleb Ndaka, Kenyan Windows Insider, is teaching students and teachers computer basics and how to code in rural Kenya

Caleb Ndaka, Kenyan Windows Insider, is teaching students and teachers computer basics and how to code in rural Kenya

Windows #Insiders4Good East Africa Fellow Caleb Ndaka is changing his world.

Caleb Ndaka

“You’ll see him sometimes, walking village to village in rural Kenya, 5 laptops strapped to his back.” This how Caleb Ndaka conceived Kids Comp Camp. An organization serving remote communities with accessible computer training to empower them to discover new opportunities in technology.

You’ll see him sometimes, walking village to village in rural Kenya, 5 laptops strapped to his back. Years ago, when he was in college in Nairobi, Kenya, Caleb Ndaka and his friends decided they wanted to help those who were less fortunate. They went to a school in a village with no access to computers and spent a few days training students on computer basics. The students were awestruck by these lessons and able to quickly pick up the skills. Caleb was surprised to see such fast progress and realized he could have a real impact on his country with this work. That was the day Caleb’s business Kids Comp Camp was born.”

East Africa Windows Insiders4Good Fellow

Caleb Ndaka
from Left Dona Sarkar, Caleb, Constance, Gomolemo, Michael at Microsoft Build 2019

In 2017 Microsoft asked East Africans with brilliant ideas creating solutions to critical social and economic challenges, to apply for a fellowship program. The Insiders4Good Fellowship. It had been tried in Nigeria and Microsoft was scaling the program up to East African countries. A six-month program that will up open opportunities to the selected entrepreneurs.

Caleb’s Kids Comp Camp was one of 20 ideas selected from entries received from Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda. As a fellow Caleb received training to develop his business and technology concept, hardware, software, tailored mentorship and support from Microsoft.

So far, Kids Comp Camp has reached over nine thousand students with 90% being first time users of a computer. It has also evolved to include training small rural businesses on how to leverage technology to grow.

https://youtu.be/ULZK7biKgnQ

Microsoft Build 2019

Caleb Ndaka
Caleb at Microsoft Build 2019

Caleb Ndaka joined other Windows Insiders at Microsoft Build this year. Where he made a presentation about the journey and impact of Kids Comp Camp during the Windows Insiders session. These Insiders, Microsoft says are supporting their local communities and bringing us feedback to build products and services for everyone. Click to read about his journey and experience at Microsoft Build 2019.

Ghana Digital Roadmap Conference: Microsoft Windows Insider Chief, Dona Sarkar shares simple yet often overlooked insights on Digital Inclusion.

Ghana Digital Roadmap Conference: Microsoft Windows Insider Chief, Dona Sarkar shares simple yet often overlooked insights on Digital Inclusion.

Ghana Digital Roadmap Conference

Dona Sarkar, head of the Windows Insider Program at Microsoft was a panel speaker at the Ghana Digital Roadmap Conference. She joined other panelist in discussing Automation, E-Government services and Data at the event held in Accra, Ghana.

the only way digital transformation can happen is for universities, private sector and the government to work together

Dona informed the audience that Microsoft was working to build up the tech talent in the region. Microsoft just announced Africa Developmment Centre sites in Nairobi and Lagos and plans to staff the centres with local talent. Microsoft will also partner with some of the local universities in Africa to build its talent pipeline.

Digital Transformation

Sharing her thoughts on Digital Transformation she said all the stakeholders will have to work together. “The only way digital transformation can happen is for universities, private sector and the government to work together.”

Ghana has one of the highest literacy rates in the world and an average age of 18, she shared. “You have tremendous benefits over the west. You are mobile first and most of your youth have never lived in a world without technology.”

Think like a Tech Company

I recommend you(the government) think like a tech company and behave like one. That means put young people to work she said. The more you think like a tech company the faster you are going to innovate. Do small experiments.

Why are we not putting the youth to work she asked?

Ghanamost advanced airport, … yet I had to stand in line to fill a form, … that took the longest time.

Giving an example Dona said; Ghana has one of the most advanced airport i have ever seen. I’ve been to 80 countries.
From the moment we landed, It took 15 minutes through customs and security, it was insane. Yet i had to stand in line to fill a form, that took the longest time. There’s no need for a form. You already know all about me. I had to get a visa, it was a complex process.

Government, Co-Create with the youth

She encouraged the government to co-create with the youth. Your youth is the greatest asset you have she said.
Don’t teach computer science the way you teach english or maths. Don’t teach it from books and then take test. That doesn’t mean anything. Instead have their graduation project be solve a local problem. Have them be project based, then you’ll know your youth are learning, growing and understand the value of the technology.

No Tech Talent in Africa?

Sharing her view on the (Jumia) no tech talent conversation in Africa, Dona said, i couldn’t disagree more. It is an incorrect statement.
This is why i say that. The hires from the Africa continent are our(Microsoft) strongest engineers. That’s speaking as one who hires from across the globe.

The talent from Africa is the most innovate and by far looking to solve real problems because they have to. They are trying to solve real problems like how do you have clean water, reduce maternal mortality. It is not just coding skills, it is the desire to do the right thing. So i think it is two parts.

The only problem i’ve seen on the continet and true in Asia and South America is gate keepers shared Dona Sakar. People in position of authority who belive peolpe need to earn their way to a place where they are allowed to solve problems. In Silicon Valley there are no gate keepers, that is the culture.

Celebrate home grown CEO’s

Give young people hard problems to solve she told the government leaders present. One thing we must do is story tell and Hero make these things. Dona couldn’t stress this more, “Celebrate home grown CEO’s“.

Ghana Digital Roadmap Conference is a conversation platform to review Ghana’s aging ICT policy through digitization, for an accelerated development. The theme of the event is Moving Ghana Beyond Aid; Expanding The Local Digital Economy.

The Ghana government says this is in line with its digital opportunities program. To generate ideas developing a digital strategy and an implementation plan to establish Ghana as the leader in ICT innovation in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2023.