Right after Microsoft has announced Windows 11, it has released the first Windows 11 preview build 22000.51 to the public on this Monday. In case, you are pretty excited to test out the all new desktop OS, then you can check out any of the simple tutorials on how to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11.
As of now, I was testing Windows 11 and then I came across some of the amazing features of this new Windows 11. And I think you also must know about all of them. Starting from hidden features to all the major ones, I have tried to cover all the new features of this Windows 11. Here are the Top 11 New Windows 11 Features You Should Check Out. So without further delay, let’s start with the article.
1. New Start Menu
The very first feature among all the new Windows 11 features is the new launcher style. Yes! You will see the floating Start Menue which is a distinctive part of Microsoft’s next-gen desktop OS. Apart from the traditional Start Menu, this new Start Menu as per Microsoft will rightly sit at the center of the taskbar.
What I like about this feature is the flyout design that has pinned and recommended apps to accompany each other. So far if you consider my usage, the recommendations are quite good. This quickly provides me with access to the photos, documents, as well as apps that I have recently installed.
And apart from that, you will be able to hover your mouse over the Search menu, and it will offer you some of the suggested apps that are based entirely on your past searches. Overall, I think this new Start Menu is without a doubt one of the best things when it comes to Windows 11. It is fast, will resolve your queries shortly, and will offer you the best results within seconds.
For users who are worried about the centered and launcher-style Start Menu, you can switch back to the old Windows 10 Start Menu with live tiles support.
2. Universal Media Control
Well! Yes, you will be now able to control all your media playback using the new Action Center on Windows 11. Even if you are playing a YouTube video, a Twitter clip, Spotify playlist, or a local video, everything will show up in the Action Center.
Keep in mind that I have played a video using the VLC media player but it didn’t show up. However, when I was playing the same video through the native “Films & TV” app, it was working absolutely smoothly. Hence, I think this Universal Media Control is a great feature to have in Windows 11.
3. New Action Center
My third favorite feature of Windows 11 is the new action center. Yes! This has the design language which we can see on the mobile OSes, and I am quite impressed with this mobile first approach to essential system toggles.
You can now easily click on the unified “WiFi, volume, and battery” button in order to open the new Action Center. This comes with all the essential controls, including volume sliders and brightness. In fact, you will be able to add more toggles just like before.
This further comes with the notifications in a clean design and you will see the badge support. You can expect to have ample space so that you can reply or clear the clutter. And not to forget, this new Action Center is pretty much responsive when you compare to the laggy mess it was as the Windows 10’s Action Center. Hence, Kudos Microsoft!
4. Modern File Explorer
Talking about new features of Windows 11, the modern file explorer gains a point. Generally, the file explorer on Windows always had been a major point of contention among Windows users. I can vouch that you will be pretty happy to see how the new File Explorer is functional. In fact, it has all the features that you need.
Apart from that, you will get all the new colorful icons, a Command bar up top, and a new Context menu that will replace the present Ribbon menu bar. If you are wondering, Microsoft has kept the Folder Options to further help you out. If you want to have the old Context Menu too, you should just tap on “Show more options”.
Microsoft has managed to get off with all the features intact and this was the fan’s most feared thing.
5. Android Apps Support in Windows 11
One of the primary highlights of Windows 11 is that it will easily run Android apps that are powered by the Amazon App Store. But, the Android app support is not added in the current 22000.51 preview build. Then again, Microsoft has again confirmed that this option of installing Android apps will come in the recent builds. Oh! Wait, there’s more.
One of the best things is that you will be able to even sideload APKs on your Windows 11 PC. Now, isn’t it cool?
Coming to the implementation part, Microsoft comes with the same approach as WSL 2 (Windows Subsystem for Linux). Then again, it means Android apps will further run natively on Windows 11 and I think the performance will be pretty amazing.
Without a doubt, Android apps will surely run both on AMD and Intel processors, irrespective of the Intel Bridge technology. It will further bring this feature to life. If you want to learn more about the Android app support that too on Windows 11, then you must check several tutorials out there.
6. Faster Windows Updates
Yes! You heard me right. Having Windows 11 will give you a much quicker Windows update. And all thanks to the background installation mechanism. Then Microsoft has promised the users that you will get 40% smaller Windows updates and that will make the process even more efficient.
I can’t forget to mention that if you see an update installation that is pending when you are restarting the PC, then you will see the estimated time that is needed to complete the update. In fact, this tiny addition will really save your time and effort. I think this new update system is one of the best features of Windows 11.
7. New Microsoft Store
Another great feature that I think you must consider is the newly designed Microsoft Store. This is built from the scratch and will support .NET, Win32, UWP, Electron, Xamarin, Java, React Native, and even Progressive Web Apps. Then again, you will be able to find out themes as well as extensions for Microsoft Edge on the new Microsoft Store.
To be very frank, I was never a fan of Microsoft Store just because of the sluggish as well as the janky experience that I had in the past. But this one looks pretty amazing. One thing to note in the current build is that you still can’t view the last updated date of an app.
8. Redesigned Settings App
Right after the launch of Windows 11, for the first time, Microsoft came with redesigned settings app. This is built from scratch and follows a mobile-driven design that works well with both tablets and desktops. In fact, what I like about this is that it has been neatly categorized with menus as well as sub-menus. You will find a static pane right at the left corner.
Then again, you can use the breadcrumbs for easy navigation and it has expandable setting options to give you enhanced clarity. Moreover, you can expect to have power along with the battery usage report. It is quite similar to smartphones. You will get to see amazing themes and many more.
All in all, I really like the new Settings redesign, but in its current form, it’s a bit slow and not as responsive as one would expect. If you are someone who is wondering about the control panel, then yes, you will still have the panel at your disposal.
9. Windows 11 Widgets
One of the most amazing as well as interesting Windows 11 features is none other than the widgets. You need to see how much Microsoft is indulged in the mobile driven design for the very next generation desktop OS. What I like the most is that with Windows 11, Microsoft came up with the Widgets section. It will let you find all the types of information with just one single click.
This is pretty much similar to the Google Assistant’s Snapshot and you will see the “Today View” in Apple’s iOS 15 as well as macOS Monterey. Then again, you will be able to check out all the latest news, sports scores, your personal photos pulled from OneDrive, stock prices, and much more.
Talking about the widget section, you will see that it is pretty easy to customize and you will be able to personalize the section as per your own wish. Starting from tablets running Windows 11, the Widget window will fill the entire screen area. It will make the one stop dashboard for all your personal interests.
10. Snap Layout & Other New Multitasking Features
Snapping was already present on Windows 10 but Microsoft thought of taking it a bit further with the easier Snap Assist. And this new feature is known as the Snap Layouts. When you want to hover your mouse pointer over the maximize button of Windows, you will be able to find out several layouts. This is for how you will be able to keep the position of the Window.
You can also invoke the snap layout option with the “Win + Z” Windows keyboard shortcut. If you use a large monitor, this will help maximize your productivity. And similarly, this Timeline feature is not there in Windows 11 and you will have the clean Task View. This will let you add as many desktops as you want.
I was pretty impressed with the fluidity while I was creating a new desktop. Overall, both of these features will add to quality in the Windows 11 and then will elevate the multitasking experience altogether.
11. New Context Menu and Rounded Corners
Windows 11 has finally come up with the modern context menu that has nice sharp and rounded corners. It will easily gel with the entire Windows 11 aesthetics. However, you will not be able to find out the “Refresh” button here. You should not worry at all because you can have clear access to it using the “Show more options” button as well as the F5 key that still works in Windows 11 build 22000.51.
If you are taking my opinion into consideration, then I would say the new UI, as well as the new Mica effect, will be used for Windows UI elements which are pretty amazing. Apart from that, you will be able to find the rounded corners everywhere. And I hope that Microsoft will be able to maintain the level of consistency even in the future.
Final Talk
So these are the new features to look for in Windows 11 that I have discovered after using it for a decent time period. All the Top 11 New Windows 11 Features You Should Check Out are pretty useful and comfortable to work with. I like some of the features way too much if you consider my suggestion. If you are new to Microsoft Windows or you are upgrading, you won’t find any issue using the new features.
Even after that you are having any issues or you are confused, don’t worry, I am there to help you out. You can always comment down below regarding any queries and I will be more than happy to answer you.
