Why Windows 11’s Big 2022 Update Is Worth Downloading

Microsoft gave Home windows 11 a serious replace. Launched on Tuesday, the first massive replace to the working system can now be downloaded to your laptop computer or desktop. You could be questioning, although, must you set up the improve? With all the brand new safety, productiveness, accessibility and gaming options, the reply is probably going sure. 

The working system is quick approaching its first anniversary in early October. At launch, the brand new working system introduced dozens of recent options to life, together with a redesigned interface, widgets, a extra accessible Microsoft Groups expertise, a number of desktops and Snap Layouts and Teams, in addition to Android apps.

This is what you possibly can try right this moment.

The Home windows 11 replace makes your PC simpler to make use of

The brand new Home windows 11 replace provides a sooner, extra correct search to the Begin menu, Fast Settings, in addition to higher native and present occasions protection in your Widgets board. In October, Home windows 11 will get a long-requested characteristic — tabs in File Explorer.

Home windows 11 now has extra productiveness instruments

Home windows 11 launched with options geared in the direction of multitaskers and customers who needed extra group. With this new replace, Snap Layouts, which neatly prepare open Home windows in your desktop, are extra versatile with improved contact navigation and the power to snap a number of browser tabs in Microsoft Edge. 

To reduce distractions, the replace introduces Focus periods and a Do Not Disturb mode to reduce distractions. In line with Microsoft, while you begin a brand new Focus session, Home windows robotically activates Do Not Disturb. This silences notifications, turns off taskbar badges and app notifications in our activity bar. Focus additionally improves the Clock App with timers that can assist you focus and bear in mind to take breaks. 

The Home windows 11 replace provides new accessibility options

Narrator, Home windows 11’s built-in display reader, will obtain extra pure voices, enhancing the text-to-speech perform.

As well as, new system-wide stay captions will transcend particular person apps’ stay caption options. System-wide stay captions will show on the prime of the display and below the digicam by default, however customers can swap up the caption location to the underside of the display or a separate floating window. Additionally, by capturing microphone audio, stay captions can now transcribe in-person conversations.  

Voice entry, nonetheless in preview, improves on already current voice instructions by permitting you to manage your PC and creator textual content vocally. The primary time you utilize voice entry, you will undergo an interactive tutorial on finishing frequent duties together with your voice. The instrument additionally offers real-time suggestions if it does not acknowledge a phrase.

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Smart App Control and security

Smart App Control should give you more confidence when downloading apps on Windows 11, according to Microsoft. The tool blocks untrusted or unsigned apps, script files and potentially malicious macros from invading your machine. Essentially, the tool predicts the safety of an app in real-time. The feature, built on the same AI used in Windows Defender Application Control, is available for personal use or business use.

Microsoft Defender SmartScreen can now identify when you’re entering your Microsoft credentials on a malicious app or hacked website, and send an alert.

The update also enables Hypervisor-protected code integrity, or HVCI, and the Microsoft vulnerable driver block list by default on all new Windows 11 devices. Microsoft has also enhanced identity protection and simplified password management in the update. 

Better video calls and creator content tools 

At launch, Windows 11 made Microsoft Teams more accessible. The latest update introduces Windows Studio Effects, which can improve audio and video calls. The new Windows Studio camera uses Voice Focus to filter out background noise, a background blurring tool, Eye Contact, for making it look like you’re always looking at the camera, as well as Automatic Framing that keeps the camera with you as you move.

The new Windows 11 update also adds video-editing app Clipchamp. 

Gaming and Android apps

The Windows 11 update makes accessing games easier with the new Controller bar. This also provides an updated view of the Xbox Game Bar for quicker access to recently played games and launchers. According to Microsoft, the update will also boost gaming performance optimizations that improve latency and unlock Auto HDR and Variable Refresh. 

Gamers can also view a new homepage in Microsoft Edge that features personalized stories, easy access to the Xbox Cloud Gaming library and recently played games. There’s also a built-in feature called Clarity Boost for sharper graphics in cloud gaming. 

When Windows 11 launched, the new OS’ partnership with Amazon brought Android apps to Windows PCs. This update expands the Amazon App Store preview and raises its total count of Android apps and games to 20,000. 

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Greener features

The latest Windows 11 update aims to make it easier to reduce your device’s carbon emissions. For example, when devices are plugged in, turned on, connected to the internet and if regional carbon intensity data is available, Windows will schedule updates at points in the day that may result in lower carbon emissions. Microsoft said that it also tweaked the default power setting for Sleep and Screen off to help reduce emissions when PCs are idle.

For more Windows 11 information, check out how the latest OS differs from Windows 10 and how to download Windows 11.