Windows 11 First-Look Appears Online, And It's A Big Improvement On Windows 10
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Featured Image Credit: Microsoft
As you may have heard, Windows 10 Pro and Home support will officially be coming to an end on October 14, 2025. While that's admittedly a long way off yet, we can expect to see the "next-generation" of Windows much sooner. Microsoft plans to officially unveil the next phase on June 24.
That was the plan at least. As it so often goes in the digital era, a first-look at the new Windows appears to have leaked online ahead of schedule. Perhaps the biggest takeaway is that this won't be a simple upgrade to Windows 10, but a full numbered step forward: Windows 11 is here.
The Verge spotted screenshots that were originally published on Chinese site Baidu. Not long after that, the entire Windows 11 Operating System (OS) started doing the rounds online. A brand-new star menu, user interface, and plenty more besides. While I'm not sure this is the most exciting thing to have happened in a week that also housed E3 2021, it's still kind of cool to see Windows 11 in action.
As you can see in the video below, courtesy of The Verge senior editor Tom Warren, everything looks much more streamlined for Windows 11. The centered app icons along the task bar are the most immediately obvious change, but it looks as if purists can adjust that as needed. All told, it's not a drastic leap forward from Windows 10, but I'm sure there are people out there who'll enjoy the new touches that make navigation just that little bit more simple.
While some have welcomed the fact it doesn't look all that different, others have pointed out that it seems as if Microsoft may have been peeking over at Apple for inspiration.
"can i copy your homework?"
- Stefan (@FamedChris) June 15, 2021
"yeah just change it a little so the teacher won't notice"
"bet" pic.twitter.com/kII05PMPg3
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and chief product officer Panos Panay will be presenting the new OS at the Windows event on June 24. It kicks off at 4pm BST, so be sure not to miss all the exciting Windows action.